Habitat Identification Chart

Combine your groups Quadrat sampling sheets to have a complete view of each habitat. Put an X in your charts for each person who identified that species in that habitat. If everyone saw a particular species in a habitat in his or her quadrat you will have XXXXX. The number of marks in each correlating square will indicate how many in your group identified a species in that habitat.

Afterwards, decide if each organism is a producer or a consumer. Which might be a predator to another species? Which might be prey? Which herbivore eats which plants?

Questions:
1) In which habitat did you find the smallest number of different plant and animal species?

2) According to your quadrant samplings, what was the most common plant or animal you viewed?

3) What are some factors that might have affected the species, numbers and location of your observations? (Hint: what time of day was it, what was the temperature at that time, etc.)

4) What natural element (abiotic factor) affects each habitat the most? (Circle one)

5) How do the abiotic factors (natural elements) affect each Habitat?
Salt Marsh:

Maritime Forest:

Sand Dunes:

Beach:

6) Describe the relationships between the following plants and animals (i.e. are they competitors, predator/prey or symbionts?)
• Slash Pine and Live Oak
• Live Oak and Spanish Moss
• Raccoon and Fiddler crab

7) Why are there no decomposers listed in the Quadrant analysis? Does this mean that they are not important members of the BarrierIsland community? List an example of a decomposer that you might find on a Barrier Island?

8) Which animals listed on the quadrat sheet did you NOT see? Did you see any evidence of these animals (tracks, food or wastes?) For these animals, list a reason (adaptation) that would explain why you did not observe them.

9) Pick three plant or animal species that can be found in more then one habitat and explain what natural conditions or life threat they may have adapted to in order to be able to live in these particular habitats? What natural conditions or life threats might explain their absence from a particular habitat.

10) What did you observe while at Hunting Island State Park that gave you clear indications that erosion forces were taking place?

11) In your estimation and understanding of the erosion forces affecting the island, what area is losing the most sand or Beach area the fastest? (Circle one and then explain your answer)

Why?

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