1. LAB 8 - WAʻ AHILA RIDGE TRIP III:
Habitat Analysis

2. We are going to be looking at how climatic conditions affect the vegetation on the ridge

3. I. Climate Climate - long term weather patterns
Weather - current momentary conditions of the atmosphere; created by the unequal heating & cooling of the earth’s surface.

4. A major type of ecological community, determined largely by climate.
I. Climate
A major type of ecological community, determined largely by climate.
Biome -
Forest
Desert
Savanna
Tundra

5. I. Climate
Temperature & Precipitation - major factors that determine an area’s climate.
Climate Diagram

6. I. Climate
Humidity - the amount of water vapor air holds, which is dependent upon temperature.
Solar irradiance
The radiant energy emitted by the sun.
We are interested in conditions near the Earth’s surface
It is highest at the equator and lowest at the poles.

7. I. Climate Microclimate
The climate immediately surrounding an organism.
Can be highly variable within short distances.
In a hole vs. on the surface in the desert
North vs. south facing slopes
Under a tree or in the open
etc.

8. II. Measuring Atmospheric Conditions
Temperature -
iButtons
Wind Velocity -
wind meter
Precipitation -
rain gauges
Light Intensity and Solar Radiation -
light meter

9. III. Disturbance IV. Physiognomy
Disturbance levels can also affect population characteristics
Storms, lava flow, fire, animal or human
IV. Physiognomy
Physiognomic terms for vegetation:
Description and measurement (from Lab 5 and tree height) of the form and appearance of vegetation.

10. V. Methods A. Recording Observations along the Ridge
Site Descriptions
Abiotic conditions
B. Revisiting your Plot
Collect Data Loggers
Check Rain Gauge
Invertebrate Sampling

11. V. Methods A. Recording Observations along the Ridge Site Descriptions
Visit all sites
Describe the physiognomy of the vegetation at each site
As you ascend look for large and small patterns of vegetation
Hypothesize why those patterns have arisen
Fill out data sheet on page 8-11 and 8-13
Answer questions on page 8-5 and use Table I to help fill out the data sheet

12. V. Methods A. Recording Observations along the Ridge
Abiotic conditions
Visit all sites
At each site, collect data on the following:
Windspeed (m/sec)
Two measurements of light intensity (lux)
If you have the GPS unit,
Elevation (m)
Latitude and Longitude

13. Anemometer / Windmeter
Wind (M/S): hold it up high, and write down the number (actually measures average wind within 3 sec)
Powerbutton
Mode button:
press by itself to change between how wind measured (AV, MAX, blank = use this)
Press together with “ON” button to change units (use M/S)

14. Using the Light Meter

15. (slide to right to hold display value)
OFF
Lux
Data Hold Switch
(slide to right to hold display value)
Lux
(display should be multiplied by 10)
Set to Slow Response Lux
Range Switch
Lux
(display should be multiplied by 100)

16. If display goes to 1, it means you’ve exceeded the range of the setting.
Adjust range switch to next higher setting. Remember to apply the appropriate multiplier (10x or 100x). Go back to a lower setting each reading, especially for the shaded locations.

17. V. Methods B. Revisiting your Plot Check Rain Gauge
Be sure not to include oil level in reading
volume in mm (max. 150mm)
Return rain gauge and pole to lab
Collect Data Loggers
Collect all iButtons
Vegetation Height
Measure vegetation height if you didnʻt already do it

18. MEASURE Vegetation Height
Within your plot measure the vegetation height by measuring the 5 tallest trees/shrubs (ask your TA).
Use a 20m transect tape and a clinometer to measure vegetation height as explained in the next slides.

19. 1. Decide which are the highest trees in the plot.
2. Measure 20m (or 15m) distance from tree.
3. Look through instrument (*) with both eyes and align cross-hair with top of tree.
4. Read off tree height (in m) from appropriate scale (20m: left scale, 15m: right scale).
* Look through here
Cross-hair

20. A
5. First reading give you just tree height from your eye level. You need to add or subtract tree base depending on the slope you are standing on.
6. Add height of tree base if your eye level is above base of tree (Fig. A)
OR subtract if your eye level is below (Fig. B). B

21. V. Methods B. Revisiting your Plot Invertebrate Sampling
Using maps, locate and collect pitfall and sticky traps.
ID invertebrates with the help of Appendix E
Record presence of individuals from each order.
ID vertebrates to species level.
Properly dispose of pitfall trap cups.
Sticky trap cards go in a trash bag.
Each group should submit a single complete invertebrate data sheet.

22. V. Methods C. Turn In D. Clean Up
Each group should turn in a copy of the invertebrate data sheet for their subplot
At least one copy of the Abiotic Conditions datasheet with rainfall data needs to be given to the TA
D. Clean Up
Bring EVERYTHING back but large orange plot flags
Pick up any other trash you see.

23. VI. Assignments Be sure to give your data sheets to your TA
Homework assignment is due next week.
Questions #1-4 on page 8-6
Bring a hard copy of your “Introduction” draft
You will need a copy of the physiognomy data sheet for Lab 9, so make a copy that you can keep in order to complete lab 9.