Ecology Week 1 – Pre-Lab for Leaf Herbivory

The In-Person and Make Up Module materials are the same this week.  There is no Make Up Module webpage.

Pre-Lab

Importance of completing the Pre-Lab

• Students will need to go outside and collect their own data to bring to lab this week. It is important to do the Pre-Lab so that you have your own data to combine with your group members during the In-Lab class period.
• Read the Following information in your Lab Manual and on the website below to guide you in doing the Pre-Lab.
• Submit your completed Data Collection Handout for Fall/Summer or Data Collection Handout for Spring for your Pre-Lab assignment on Moodle before the start of class. You will need to review the material below to do this correctly.

Before going out in the field to collect data:

• Read the Learning Objectives and Background information in your lab manual on pages 47-49. Then review the basic Sampling Methods for sampling and data collection on pages 50-51 #1-3. This will provide a basic understanding of what you will do out in the field. There are some modifications from what is in the lab manual and what you will do explained in the website for this Unit.
• Review Images of types of leaf herbivory, fungal infection and other tree associations (needed to complete types of Herbivory in the Data Collection Handout above).  
• Review the Field Work Safety Guidelines and plan accordingly. (You will not collect your own leaves this Spring)
• Make sure you have Excel or access to Google Sheets (students can download Microsoft Office 365 from NC State’s OIT(opens in new window)  software site for free!)

Expanded Explanation of Sampling Methods:

Materials you will need in the field

• Directions for the Lab Unit/How to collect Data (see #1-4 below) – be sure you can read the directions on your phone or tablet in the field or print out directions to take with you when collecting your data.
• Use the following Data Collection Handout for Spring
• a grid for measuring surface area -included in the back of 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 with white paper,
• phone camera/regular camera,
• list of random integers (see below, Methods, Step 3)

Safety Reminders: 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.

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

1  Location – Select an area where you can locate at least two 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 observationsIdentify 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 your Collection Handout (see above).  Also, include a brief description of your sampling location(s).

2 – Leaf Surface Area – Choose one area 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 Herbivory Example webpage to determine the types of herbivory present. 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 against a white background/paper 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 – be sure to practice using it before taking your surface area measurements out in the field).

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

3 –  Random Sampling – Repeat the above surface area calculations using simple random sampling for a total of 10 different leaves for each of your sampled 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 showing 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 Herbivory Examples 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 appropriate Data Collection Handout for Fall/Summer or Spring provided above, as it is different from what is in your lab manual.

5 – Bring your laptop or tablet to lab or be prepared to use the lab computers for the In-Lab component of lab this week.

Depending on the semester, select the appropriate red button below to access the correct seasonal Pre-Lab and In-Lab information.

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/

Arbor Day Foundation – https://shop.arborday.org/treeguide/

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:

https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/08/nc-tree-identification/

NCSU Extension – Plant Guide – https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/ 

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/plants (good for native plants)

Trees – NC State Resources Extension Program:

https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/gardening-plants/trees-3/

ChopDoc – list of apps for tree identification by leaves and bark:

https://chopdoc.com/how-to-identify-tree-by-leaves//

Seek by iNaturalist – app that helps you identify organisms: (plants, animals including insects, fungi)

https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

MyNature Tree Guide:

Android: https://www.amazon.com/MyNature-Inc-Tree-Guide/dp/B00CJ1OYV4 find link

iPhone http://www.mynatureapps.com/mynature-tree-guide/

iBird: http://ibird.com/# under construction

Merlin Bird ID: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Audubon Bird Guide App: https://www.audubon.org/app

Additional Information

From Oct. 5, 2016 NCSU Bulletin – Urban Warming Slows Tree Growth, Photosynthesis(opens in new window)  – mentions increased insect pests are part of the problem.