Forest Ecology On-Site Activities

Forest Ecology - On-site Activities/Interpreter Led

Grade Level: 3
Content Area: Science
Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
Title of Lesson: Forest Ecology

South Carolina State Standards Addressed:

(R) I.A.1.a	Use the senses and simple tools to gather information about objects or events such as size, shape, color, texture, sound, position and change (qualitative observations).
(R) I.A.2.a	Compare, sort and group concrete objects according to two attributes.
(R) I.A.4.a	Use drawings, tables, graphs, written and oral language to describe objects and explain ideas and actions.
(T) II. A.1.a	Organisms can survive only in habitats in which their needs can be met. Compare and contrast the basic needs of plants and animals.
(T) II. A.1.b	Organisms can survive only in habitats in which their needs can be met. Select and describe an appropriate habitat for a plant or animal.
(R) III. B.1.a	Describe surface features of the Earth (mountains, hills, valleys, plateaus, plains, oceans, lakes and rivers).

Program Lesson:

Students will hike one of the trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and record plants, animals and observations about the habitats of a cove forest. Natural processes such as decomposition and erosion will be observed and discussed.

Focus Questions For Students:

1.	What is a forest?
2.	What types of plants and animals would you expect to live in the forest?
3.	Do all organisms live in the same habitat in the forest?
4.	What are the main requirements for a mountain cove forest habitat?
5.	How are plants and animals adapted for life in the forest?
6.	Why are forests important in nature?

Culminating Assessment:
Post-site Activities

Materials/Equipment/Resources:

At Jones Gap State Park -- Forest Ecology Worksheet (same as worksheet for 4th grade)
At school - Pre-site activities

Teacher Preparation:

1.	Call for reservation.
2.	Read background information and be prepared to discuss ecology of a mountain cove forest.
3.	Complete Pre-site procedures.
4.	Complete Post-site activities.

Background Information:

A mountain cove forest is an ecosystem that has a high degree of plant and animal diversity. These are particularly evident in the Blue Ridge region of South Carolina, but will also occur to with a lesser degree of diversity in the Piedmont region. The biodiversity found in these areas is the result of temperature and moisture condition, soil type, and an abundant supply of nutrients provided by decomposing plant matter. The organisms making up the community of a cove forest also benefit from the protection provided by the cove from the wind and temperature extremes of weather. South facing coves are particularly sheltered from cold air masses coming from the North during winter.

The plant community of a cove forest is made up of layers. This stratification allows a variety of plants and animals to utilize sunlight and space efficiently. The tallest trees make up the canopy layer. The primary canopy trees are the American Beech and Tuliptree (Tulip Poplar). Shade tolerant trees of shorter height make up the understory layer. Flowering Dogwood and Hornbeam are examples of the understory layer. Shrubs are also abundant in these forests. Sweet shrub, Dog-hobble, and a number of rhododendrons are examples of the shrub layer. The herbaceous and fern layer is the richest in diversity with many species competing for light on the forest floor. Examples are Mayapple, Yellowroot, Jack-In-The-Pulpit, New York Fern, and Maidenhair Fern. Many of the herbaceous plants take advantage of full sun before the deciduous trees of the canopy and understory leaf out and bloom in the early spring. The obvious richness of the canopy, understory, shrub and herbaceous layers of the cove forest is the best field mark for this forest.

Cove forests also provide habitat for a diversity of animals. A unique feature to forests of the Southern Appalachians is the diversity of salamanders, with 27 species and many more subspecies representing the greatest diversity of salamanders in North America. Black Bear, White-tailed Deer, raccoons and skunks are examples of mammals. Several bird species are also found in cove forests, including Wild Turkeys, owls, hawks, woodpeckers and hundreds of songbirds that nest in the forest.

Procedures:

1.	Before going onto the trail have students observe the surface features (mountains, valleys, rivers) to determine which region of SC they will be studying. (Blue Ridge Mountains). Point out the Eastern Continental Divide and describe the course of the Middle Saluda River. (Middle Saluda across SC to the Atlantic Ocean ~250 miles and on the North side of the divide rivers flow to the Gulf of Mexico.)
2.	At trailhead, pause and give students rules and make reference to what might be seen on the hike. Remind them that a forest is much more than trees (other plants, fungus, animals, etc.).
3.	Choose a location with a good view of the highest area of the forest canopy. Ask students to make observations about species of trees and animals that are observed or discussed.
4.	Choose a location to stop and have students sit a short distance off the trail. Ask students to make observations about the forest floor.
5.	Each student will take a soil sample and describe what they see in the soil, such as, if the soil is wet or dry and the color and smell of the sample. Ask students if they know how soil is made in the forest. Discuss with the students the role of decomposers in a forest ecosystem (the “FBI”: Fungus, Bacteria, and Insects).
6.	Use the same area to have the students observe the herb layer. Ask then to draw and describe the plants that are found in this area of the forest.
7.	Further along the trail, ask students to record observations of the understory layer of the forest. Point out key species, such as, Dogwood or Sourwood trees.