III.B.1 Part Four-Composing and Analyzing the Data

Materials needed:

  • Student teams should be prepared to report information from data sheets #1, #2, and #3.
Instructions for the teacher:
  1. Copy the following table on the board of overhead projector. Use the table to compile data collected by your students.
    2. Total # of animals Total # of animal types
    Microhabitat types Total # of this type # of animals in Pitfall trap # of animals in Funnel trap Total Total # of types in Pitfall trap # of types in Funnel trap Total
    Example: leaf litter under oak tree 5 3 17 20 2 6 8
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
  2. Encourage your students to answer the following questions:
    1. How many different types of microhabitats did the class find?
    2. How many animals were trapped in each of the microhabitats?
    3. Which habitat had the greatest total number of animals? Why do you think so? Is this what you predicted?
    4. Which microhabitat had the greatest number of different animal types (or greatest species richness)? Why do you think so? Is this the answer you predicted?

Notes

This is a good activity to do several times throughout the year. Results will vary from wet season to dry season; between cool weather and warm weather. You can then compare your data to see how species richness and abundance varies as the conditions change. (For definitions of species richness and abundance.)

Further Questions and Activities for Motivated Students

Using the same trap location, continue this project once a month throughout the school year. Try to determine how weather conditions or the time your trap is open might affect trap results. What happens to the animals during periods when you don't trap them?

III.B.1-Part 1    Part 2    Part 3    Part 4
student data sheets #1    #2     #3     leaf litter labels
III. LIFE IN THE LEAF LITTER LAYER
A. Mushrooms:    III.A.1    III.A.2    III.A.3
B. Life in a Microhabitat    III.B.1
C. Glossary    D. Questions for Student Evaluation