Ecology Semester Project – Overview – Spring Semester 2026
Lab Unit 4.2 Handout (Lab manual/Project Description)
There are multiple steps to the Urban Ecology Semester Project. All but 1 step will be completed outside of the In-Person lab times (refer to the appropriate Group 1 or 2 Assignment & Due Dates from the Spring 2026 Lab Schedule and/or your lab Moodle site to review your specific due dates for each part):
- Benchmark # 1 – Individual Data Collection & Representation – Collect your field data during Unit 2 week. Work on Data Representations after the Unit 3 In Person Lab. The complete Benchmark #1 is then Due by the Friday 11:59PM of your Lab Unit 4 Week.
- Benchmark #2 – Group Data Analysis – Due by the Friday 11:59 PM of your Online Unit 6 Ecology Project Work Week 1 – Lab Unit 4.2 Urban Ecology.
- Ecology Work Week 2 – Groups will use feedback from Benchmark #2 to construct your Group Presentation following the Presentation Guidelines (see #5 below) during the Online Work Week 10.
- Ecology Work Week 3 – Groups will meet In Person during Unit 11 lab for a consultation with their TA on their completed Group Presentation for proper format, content and scope of the projects before recording their presentation and submitting their Final Presentation. Attendance is required for all group members or there will be a 10 pt reduction the Final Presentation grade for the missing student(s).
- Group Final Presentation – Due by Friday 11:59 PM of your Online Unit 11 In Person Lab week.
Before going out in the field to collect data:
- Read the Lab Handout Background and Methods information in your Unit 4.2 Urban Ecology Lab Unit Handout Sp26. This will provide a basic understanding of what you will do out in the field. REVIEW the additional information linked below so you understand the context of the data you are collecting and can properly identify they data you are collecting to supplement what is in this Unit Handout.
- Visit the Urban Ecology – Field Sampling Methods webpage to see the items you will need out in the field and skim through the expanded directions for data collection.
- You will need to complete the provided Urban Ecology Data Collection Handout found on the linked Field Sampling Methods webpage. You may want to print this out before going out in the field, rather than trying to complete it digitally.
- Reading: Dying Trees in Cities? Blame It on the Concrete (the short NCSU Bulletin and Abstract below)
- Review images of evidence of tree association organisms, and provided videos about Measuring Tree Diameter (DBH) and Introduction to Lichens, and the webpage and quick video of Lichen, Algae, and Moss on Trees.
- Review the Field Work Safety Guidelines and plan accordingly.
- Always be mindful of traffic and people when working near roads and sidewalks.
- Print copy of Methods Webpage if needed for offline work
- Each student should sample their own 2 trees (one urban and one rural). Observe your tree for 20 minutes to observe any wildlife that may visit your tree (birds, insects, mammals…) and record that information too.
- Images of leaf herbivory, fungal infection, and other tree associations (Unit 4.1 Leaf Herbivory Examples under Laboratory Units) may be helpful as evidence for the presence of various herbivores and other associations.
- 13 Steps for evaluating tree health – use this link to help rate the health of your tree as you collect data.
- See the Additional Information at the bottom of this webpage for additional help with the topic and tree/organism identification.
- Make sure you have Excel or access to Google Sheets (students can download Microsoft Office 365 from NC State’s OIT software site for free!). You will need it for Benchmarks 2 & the Final Presentation for the project.
Additional NCSU research:
Forecasting the Effects of Heat and Pests on Urban Trees: Impervious Surface Thresholds and the ‘Pace to Plant’ Technique
From Oct. 5, 2016 NCSU Bulletin – Urban Warming Slows Tree Growth, Photosynthesis – mentions increased insect pests are part of the problem.
Lack of Water is a Key Stressor for Urban Trees – more NCSU research Mar. 13, 2018
Tree Health and Urban Ecology:
13 Steps for evaluating tree health
Storm damage to landscape trees from NC State’s Extension program
What Tree Should be Planted from NC State’s Extension program
Resources for Tree and Organism Identification: Here are some resources in the form of links
and applications (some of these apps are not free, but you can search for your own online too):
Winter Tree Identification
Winter Tree ID Key – nice handout with diagrams for twig tip anatomy and terminology
NC Tree Identification from NC State’s Extension program
Trees – NC State Resources Extension Program
ChopDoc – list of apps for tree identification by leaves and bark (not currently available)
Seek by iNaturalist – app that helps you identify organisms
MyNature Tree Guides:
For Android: https://www.amazon.com/MyNature-Inc-Tree-Guide/dp/B00CJ1OYV4 (website under construction)
For iPhone http://www.mynatureapps.com/mynature-tree-guide/ (website under construction)
iBird: http://ibird.com/# (website under construction)
Merlin Bird ID: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
Audubon Bird Guide App: https://www.audubon.org/app
Butterfly Collection – app for identifying butterflies and other insects: