Field Study

Conducted by: Daria Hoang

STEM 2nd/3rd period
Parent: Ida Hoang
Day: (415) 686-2525
Evening: (415) 472-7789

Field Study
Objective: The purpose of this field study is to observe and record a natural habitat and its details
and changes over time. A field study prompts a person to examine abiotic and biotic factors, as
well as human interaction and the environment
SIte Description:
1. Observation descriptions: When visited in the morning on a Wednesday, at
around 9: 45 a.m., the designated site is mostly covered with shade, due to a tall and thick
canopy of leaves overhead. A stagnant creek runs through the site, and is almost
completely shielded by the sun by the trees. Upon entering the area, the closer side of the
creekbed is mottled with different types of grasses and plants. Many thin, around three to
four foot weeds and grasses grow on the banks; half-submerged in water grow plants with
thick, broad, and sturdy leaves. Fish have not yet been observed at the site, but waterskiers and mosquitos can be seen. A congregation of gnats consistently covers the
pathway to the site. So far, animal sightings have included: turkey vultures, roly polys,
and various insects. The sound of doves and songbirds is regular and consistent. Smells
associated with the site generally include horse manure, which is attributed to the
equestrian presence in the park as well as the stable just overhead the creek.
2. Prediction: As summer draws nearer, the creek will further diminish; water levels
will lower and the creek will become narrower. With the heat is the anticipation of
mosquito activity, because the insect will most likely lay eggs in the stagnant waters. In
addition, more animals and insects may gravitate towards the creek as the temperature
grows hotter.

Site Data:
Measurement

Intro

Week 2

Week 4

Week 6

Notes

Plant 1: h
Grass

24 inches

24 inches

24 inches

24 inches

plant has
shown no
growth

Plant 2: h
Blackberry
Bush

60 inches

60 inches

61 inches

62

plant has
shown little
growth

Plant 3: h
Fern

11 inches

8 inches

5 inches

2 inches

plant has
shriveled

Tree 1: % of
70 percent
Leaf Coverage

68 percent

65 percent

60 percent

leaves have
continued to
fall

% of spiky
weeds

70 percent

70 percent

68 percent

66 percent

amount of
weeds has
decreased
slightly

Estimation of
flying insects

40

50

100

150

plant life
continually
increases by
creek, esp.
with algae
bloom

# Worms
under a rock

worm
presence is
random

# Deer
footprints or
droppings

none
observed

Depth of
Creek

4 feet

3 feet

2.4 feet

2.2 feet

dramatic
change in
depth,
became much
more shallow

Speed of
Creek

Stagnant

Stagnant

Stagnant

Stagnant,
especially
blocked with
algae

Stagnant

Average day
temperature

70 degrees

65 degrees

73 degrees

79 degrees

increased
temperatures

as summer
draws near
Average
evening
temperature

46 degrees

44 degrees

48 degrees

50 degrees

increased
temps

Length of Day about 13

(Wed)
hours

about 14
hours

about 15
hours

about 16.6
hours

n/a

# Spider Webs

20

20

24

20

could not
observe
spider webs
across the
creek

Additional

doves,
songbirds
can be heard

creek has
receded, lots
of human
noise; animal
interference
(dog) in creek

2 inches of
rain, creek
has filled
slightly;
slugs; plants
beginning to
shrivel up

with earlier
sunshine, less
shade; ferns
have
shriveled up
almost
completely