1. Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Aerial Photographs (Activity II) A. Aerial Photo Evaluation - 20 Points B. Oral Reasoning - 10 Points

2. How the event works What the kids should expect Photos —Black and white aerial photos —Number varies —Usually 4 or 8 inches = 1 mile Name of species(s) will appear under photo Photo will have from 1-4 (usually 4) numbered circles : —either on photo —on acetate on photo —cut out from a solid paper overlay

3. Judging the Photos Object To rank the 4 areas circled from most suitable (=in first position) to least suitable (=in 4th position) FOR THE WILDLIFE SPECIES NAMED at the bottom of the photo View example score sheet —pick number pattern that goes with chosen “circle” ranking for particular species

4. Judging the photos (cont.) Hormel System commonly used in livestock events judges will score circled areas prior to contest and enter rankings into computer -- assign cut scores between areas (low scores for similar areas, high for different areas) each possible ranking pattern found on the score sheet will be assigned a point value

5. Questions?

6. Moving in and out

7. Tips for Evaluating Well Look at Photo in correct position dates usually in top left hand corner, OR shadows should fall toward viewer Do NOT consider ANYTHING outside of the circle

8. Tips (cont.) What/How to study Practice Practice Practice —Use BLACK AND WHITE Order Aerial Photos (or have them donated) —NRCS, USDA, USGS, www.quad.com or www.terraserv.com, www.earthexplorer.com —Local wildlife agency —Nearest university –wildlife specialist

9. Tips (cont.) Practicing Ask for help from local biologists/foresters —give them manual first —learn what each successional stage looks like at DIFFERENT scales —learn what H20 looks like, buildings, parking lots, riparian areas, fences, center-pivot irrigation systems, hayfields and row crops

10. Tips (cont.) Use photos from your region, but try to obtain a variety of habitats try practicing with a variety of copy qualities and scales Before national contest, order one from that region if one isn’t sent to you

11. Tips (cont.) Focus on Species Requirements Best area will have food, water, shelter, space interspersed —study species descriptions and memorize requirements beforehand (make it fun) –decide which of the requirements is “MOST” required (what’s the limiting factor?) –Use that as a way to distinguish one area from another

12. Tips (cont.) DON’T FORGET THE MANUAL! It’s easy to let experience dictate decisions, but not everyone’s experience is the same. Use the manual to guide you.

13. Tips (cont.) Interspersion Index If a species requires a good bit of interspersion, use index Higher the number, higher the interspersion

14. Materials Bring Pencil No magnifying glasses allowed No manual allowed Score sheet supplied Scratch paper supplied

15. Part B. Oral Reasoning Kids enter study room after judging photos make notes for oral justification calm themselves before presentation

16. Oral Reasoning (cont.) Judges look for: Logic Presentation Knowledge of species Use of wildlife terms/concepts Poise and Appearance

17. Oral Reasoning (cont.) Usually judged on 2 species Two judges score presentations and the scores are averaged Possible maximum: 10 points (2 for each category mentioned in previous slide)

18. A Winning Argument

19. An Example 12

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21. Feature Finder 1. Stage 3 & 4 2. Wetland 3. Stage 5 & 6 4. Stage 1 5. Stage 2 & 3 6. Pond 7. Shadow 8. Greenhouse 9. Stream 10. Vehicle