Unit 4.1: Leaf Herbivory and Fungal Occurrence – Methods Fall/Sum Online

Ecological Methods Fall/Sum: Field Sampling Techniques

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

Instructions: In preparation for data collection, be sure to read the background information in the lab unit pages 47-49, and read all of the steps below. Although you will not be completing this lab exactly as written in the lab manual, we will follow it as much as possible. The methods you will be using are below.

Materials you need on the field:

Directions for the Lab Unit/How to collect Data (this webpage) – be sure you can read the directions your phone or tablet in the field or print on paper and take with you when collecting your data.
Fall/Summer Data Collection Handout
a grid for measuring surface area -included in your lab manual (or download a surface area app on your phone such as LeafByte for iPhone or BioLeaf for Android and review the tutorials before going outside),
a magnifier app for your phone, for example, Magnifying Glass for iPhones or Android
pen or pencil,
a clipboard or other writing surface,
phone camera/regular camera,
list of random integers (see below, Methods, Step 3)

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.

Methods:

You will be conducting data collection in any area where you can find trees (around your home, neighborhood, a local park, greenway, etc.). NOTE: We are conducting non-destructive sampling, so try not to remove leaves from the trees as you complete data collection.

1- Select an area where you can locate at least three different trees. Ideally, they will be different species of trees so that you can compare them with respect to herbivory and fungal incidence, or you can pick different areas (for example, a completely natural area, a landscaped area, an urban area) and then select the same species of tree in each area. It is up to you how you want to design your study.

Walk around each tree to visually inspect it, noting any organisms, overall leaf damage, bark damage, lichens, mosses, etc.
Take pictures of each of your trees and any associated organisms or interesting observations
Identify your trees down to genus and/or species. Use the ID resources in this document.
Include the location of the tree and its surroundings (add GPS location/geotag, if possible).

Note all of your observations in the space provided in the Fall/Summer Data Collection Handout. Also, include a brief description your sampling location(s).

2- Choose one location on the tree that has evidence of herbivore damage and “select” a leaf to evaluate. Look for herbivory and fungal damage/presence using visual analysis (use magnifier app on your phone). Also, refer to images in the Unit 4.1 Leaf Herbivory ID Samples webpage. Without removing the leaf, you will place a 1 cm² grid/graph paper transparency over the leaf to calculate approximate leaf surface area. You can also take a picture of the leaf under the clear grid and calculate the leaf surface area later. Alternatively, you may use the surface area app on your phone (see type of approved apps in Materials), and you will have to practice using it before taking your surface area measurements.

Calculations if using a grid: (video explanation of the process, video with an actual leaf – view both)

Spring Semester you will use these provided leaf images since leave are not yet out on trees. During the Fall and Summer semesters you will find your own trees and collect your own data.

Group 1

Trees 1A & 1B(opens in new window) Trees 1C & 1D(opens in new window)

Group 2

Trees 2A & 2B(opens in new window) Trees 2C & 2D(opens in new window)

Group 3

Trees 3A & 3B(opens in new window) Trees 3C & 3D(opens in new window)

Group 4

Trees 4A & 4B(opens in new window) Trees 4C & 4D(opens in new window)

Group 5

Trees 5A & 5B(opens in new window) Trees 5C & 5D(opens in new window)

Group 6

Trees 6A & 6B(opens in new window) Trees 6C & 6D

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3- Repeat this protocol using simple random sampling for a total of 10 different leaves for each of your 3 trees and record your data in Table 4.1-1 in the the Data Collection Handout. Use the random integer generator: **Instructions below:

**Random integer generator instructions – Input the following:

Part 1: The Integers

Generate random _10_ integers (maximum 10,000).

Each integer should have a value between _1_ and _10_ (both inclusive; limits ±1,000,000,000).

Format in _2_ column(s).

Part 2: Go! Click on get numbers. Take a picture or screenshot. You will need these in the field.

Using a piece of paper, cut it into four equal pieces and write, “Left,” “Right,” “Up,” or “Down.” You will randomly select which way you want to go by shaking up your paper pieces in a bag or other container and choosing one square each time. Return the used square to your bag/container. Repeat until done with all leaves.

Video of the random sampling technique using the randomly generated numbers and the “Left” “Right” “Up” “Down” squares.

NOTE: If you get “Up” and you cannot go that high or cannot sample that leaf for any reason, go to the next random number until you find a leaf you can sample.

Take pictures of types of leaf herbivory you observe on your tree.* Insert them into the Data Collection Handout, and bring them to the In-Lab meeting.
Take pictures of types of fungal infection you observe on your tree.* Insert them into the Data Collection Handout, and bring them to the In-Lab meeting.
*(Use the Leaf Herbivory ID Samples webpage and the Resources in the list below to identify the type of leaf herbivory and fungal infection.

4- Be sure to record all of the data in the the Fall/Summer Data Collection Handout.

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

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: