Unit 4.2: Urban Ecology and Field Methods

Ecological Methods – Unit 4.2: Field Sampling Techniques

You get to go explore! Enjoy your time outdoors, but be safe!

Pre-Lab

Instructions:

In preparation for data collection, be sure to read the background information in the lab unit pages 55-61, and read all of the steps below. You will use many of these Methods in your Pre-Lab Data Collection this week. Note that we will not be able to complete Methods, #4: Gloomy Scale Sampling—Estimating Surface Area of Scale Insects, but during the In-Lab meeting you will be analyzing data collected from previous semesters to see what conclusions can be determined.

Reading: Dying Trees in Cities? Blame It on the Concrete

Materials you need on the field:

Data Collection Handout – Urban Ecology
measuring tape or string at least 1 meter in length
a magnifier app for your phone (you should have it from Unit 4.1): Magnifying Glass for iPhones or Android
pen or pencil,
phone camera/regular camera.

Safety: Please be mindful of traffic, wildlife, standing water, any sort of brush or vines that may be hazardous. Wear closed-toed shoes and socks to cover your ankles. You may want other protective items like a hat, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt and long pants.

Complete Methods, # 1-3 (pp. 57-58)–Follow additional information below for Methods

Search for two locations near to you, one that is urban with impervious surfaces (Area “A”), i.e., asphalt, concrete, and one that is a more natural area (Area “B”).

Methods #1 – Making observations:

Find a tree (ideally of the same species) in the two locations (Area “A” and Area “B”), make observations (follow page 57 items #1 a-e) and record on the data collection sheets for each location, pp. 62 & 65. Note: not all trees may have leaves at this time, but you may be able to observe other features of the tree. Identify your tree. Try to make as many observations as possible and take pictures (add GPS location/geotag, if possible).

Assess the Relative health of each of your trees. Use 13 Steps for evaluating tree health
View the list of Resources at the end of this page that includes tree identification guides/apps, information on organisms that live on or around a tree, and characteristics of tree health.
You may want to get ideas from the background material in Unit 4.1. and refer to the webpage for Identifying Herbivory, Fungal Incidence, and other Associations.

Complete Methods, # 1-3 (pp. 57-58)–Follow additional information below for Methods

Search for two locations near to you, one that is urban with impervious surfaces (Area “A”), i.e., asphalt, concrete, and one that is a more natural area (Area “B”).

Methods #2 – Plant-to-Pace:

Complete Method #2 a-d for the two trees you selected, one at each location (Area “A” and Area “B”).

Record your data in Table 4.2-1 (Area “A”) and Table 4.2-3 (Area “B”). See the following for additional

clarification:
Pace to plant technique

Methods #3 – Diameter at Breast Height (DBH):

Record this measurement for each tree, and enter in Table 4.2-2 (Area “A”) and Table 4.2-4 (Area “B”).

Ignore the note at the bottom of these data tables, as they refer to the scale insect protocol you will not be completing. You will need a measuring tape to measure the circumference of your tree (or use a string, ribbon, or anything you can wrap around the tree and later use to measure with a measuring stick or ruler). DBH measurements are taken at 4.5 feet/1.37 meters above the ground. Refer to the following NC State Forestry page to view videos on how to take DBH measurements:

Video – How to take DBH measurements

Alternate Option 1 (same Methods as above, but different sampling location option):

If you cannot find (or go) to a natural area as a comparison to an urban area, you may choose two trees in an urban setting. They do not need to be the same species in this case, but they can be. You can then make observations and comparisons within the context of their microclimates. Follow the same protocol listed above for everything else.

Alternate Option 2 (same Methods as above, but different sampling location option):

If you live in a rural area and cannot find (or go) to an urban area, choose two different trees in your area. They do not need to be the same species in this case, but they can be. Try to choose two different locations. For example, if you have trees close to your house or other structures like driveways, stonework, patios, walkways, etc., you can use that as our “urban” tree location. You may then choose a location farther away from these types of structures around your property. Follow the same protocol listed above for everything else.

Click to return to main Unit 4.2 Webpage for In-lab and Post-Lab

Resources:

Tree Health and Urban Ecology:

13 Steps for evaluating tree health:

https://www.deeproot.com/blog/blog-entries/13-simple-steps-to-evaluate-trees

Storm damage to landscape trees from NC State’s Extension program:

https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/weather-2/storm-damaged-landscape-trees/

What Tree Should be Planted from NC State’s Extension program:

https://lenoir.ces.ncsu.edu/2019/02/what-tree-should-be-planted/

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):

NC Tree Identification from NC State’s Extension program: