De La Salle University

2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004

Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

LABORATORY (BIO600). You are expected to consult the wealth of literature on vegetation analyses
in answering this exam (100 pts)

You are tasked to conduct a vegetation analysis on the eastern slope of a high mountain (2,200
m asl) in order to establish its vegetation zones.

A. Make a list of your logistical needs
B. Identify the minimum field data that must be obtained. Organize your list in an outline
form.
C. Propose a method that you would carry out in order to best collect and analyze the
identified field data. Organize your method with subheadings.
D. Identify possible constraints in conducting such vegetation analysis.
















De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

Establishing Vegetation Zones on the Eastern Slope of
Mountain High through Vegetation Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Scientists divide the Earth s land into what are called vegetation regions. These
areas have distinct types of plants, soil, and weather patterns. Climate, soil, the
ability of soil to hold water, and the slope, or angle, of the land all determine what
types of plants will grow in a particular region. Smaller and more detailed
vegetation regions are known as vegetation zones (National Geographic, 2014).
Also called hardiness zones. vegetation zones divide the land according to
temperature and precipitation, and will have areas with similar groups of plant
(Oregon AITC, 2014). In order to study these areas, vegetation analysis should be
done, so that vegetation zones can be established.

For this reason, a project that wants to investigate the different vegetation zones of
Mountain High is being proposed:
PROJECT DETAILS
Title Establishing Vegetation Zones on the Eastern Slope of Mountain
High through Vegetation Analysis
Site Eastern slope of Mountain High, 2200 m Asl
Goal To establish vegetation zones through vegetation analysis
Time &
Duration
Year 2014
3 months
Principal
Investigator
Roxanne Diane R. Uy, RN, MST student at DLSU
roxanne_uy@dlsu.ph
Vegetation analyses are important in any ecological research. Interpretations
derived from various methods provide essential tools for defining a vegetation or
ecosystem types and a framework for understanding differences among them.
Given the proper method and materials, vegetation zones can be established.
BACKGROUND
De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
LOGISTICAL NEEDS
Project Proposal

Permitting

Funding

Resource
Manpower

Material

Scheduling


Presents the nature of the study to be conducted, along with the
necessary information needed
Permits , certification, and other pertinent documents are needed in
conducting forest studies. (IPCC, 2017)
Operational cost, to be used for resources, needs to be funded in
conducting the research

People qualified to perform forest analysis, such as ecology students
and professors, researchers, and experts in the field
Equipments needed by the team in order to conduct forest analysis

A well planned series of activities (Specific Measurable, Achievable
Realistic Time-bound) will be carried out in this study
MINIMUM FIELD DATA REQUIRED
Site Feature
Environments Physical and
Climatic Attributes





Soils Phyisico-Chemical
Attributes









Vegetation





Descriptor
Light Intensity
Air Temperature
Humidity
Geographic Position
Elevation
Atmospheric Pressure

Temperature
Moisture

Organic Matter

Qualitative Chemical
Analysis
Particle Size Distribution


Structure
Plant Taxa
Plant Functional Type
Quadrat Listing
Specimen Collection
Photographs
Equipment
Light Meter
Thermometer
Sling Psychrometer
Global Positioning
System device:


Soil Thermometer
Tray, collection tools,
oven, dessicator
Crucible, collection tools,
furnace
Soil Test Kit

Sieves #10, #25, #60,
#125

Laser Range Finder
Proforma


Collection Tools
Camera

De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

PROPOSED METHOD: Gradsect Method via VegClass 2.0
METHODOLOGY
General Description:
By employing this method, minimum field data will be acquired. The gradsect method uses sampling
(transects) oriented along the steepest environmental gradient should detect the maximum number of
species in an area. This method can be used in a wide variety of vegetation types The gathered data is
transferred to the software VegClass 2.0 for statistical and exploratory data analysis.

Procedure:
*Pilot studies should be varied out first

Schematic representation of the procedures included in the Gradsect Method

Area of Use and Transects:
one (1) elevational 40 m x 5 m line transect or 200 m2 for the 6 study sites on the eastern slope of the
mountain in order to establish

Study sites are at 475, 900, 1,125, 1,350, 1,550, and 1,750 m elevation (Rickart et al., 1991).

Materials:
VegClass Proforma (See Appendix I)
VegClass2.0 software
Equipment for acquisition of minimum field data
De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

VegClass Data

Vegetation Structure
Vegetation type
Mean canopy height (m)
Crown cover percent (total)
Crown cover percent (woody)
Crown cover percent (non-woody)
Cover-abundance (Domin) - bryophytes
Cover-abundance woody plants <1.5m tall
Basal area (mean of 3)
Furcation index (mean and cv % of 20)
Profile sketch of 40x5m plot
Vegetation Plant Taxa

Family
Genus
Species
Vegetation Plant Functional Type See Appendix II & III
Vegetation Quadrat Listing

I, II, III, IVs Unique taxa and PFTs per quadrat
Physical Data
Latitude deg.min.sec.
Longitude deg.min.sec.
Elevation (m.a.s.l.)
Aspect (compass. deg.) (perpendicular to plot)
Slope percent (perpendicular to plot)
Soil depth (cm)
Soil type (US Soil taxonomy)
Parent rock type
Litter depth (cm)
Terrain position
PROJECT TIMELINE
Creating a Research Proposal
Project Updates
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
3. Existing Data Analysis
4. Project Updates
5. Preliminary Results
Project Results
Due Dates:
1. Preliminary Results
2. Hypothesis Testing/ Statistical Analysis
3. Discussion __________
4. Problems and Further Question
Project Presentation

De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

REFERENCES

Gillison A.N. (2012) Circumboreal gradient in plant species and functional type.Botanica
Pacifica. 1.97-100.

National Geographic Education (2014). Vegetation region - National Geographic Education.
Retrieved from
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/vegetation-
region/?ar_a=1

Whittaker, R.J. (2010). Meta-analyses and mega-mistakes: calling time on meta-analysis of
the species richness productivity relationship. Ecology 91: 25222533.

















De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

APPENDICES
APPENDIX I

De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

APPENDIX II


De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004
Science Education Department
College of Education
Advanced Ecology for Teachers BIO 600M


Roxanne Diane R. Uy TAKE HOME EXAM 3
rd
TERM S.Y. 2013-2014

APPENDIX III