Hastings Natural History Reservation

12 Mar, 04 AM - 13 Mar, 04 PM

This is a more detailed description of activities planned for the March 12-14 GK-12 field trip. Specific activities and comparisons that we intend to do are: 1) Carmel River and Robertson comparison Students will set up two 10m x 10m plots along the edge (and extending ca. 1 m into the river) of the Carmel River and along Robertson Creek. Working in pairs, the students will rotate through the following activities a) arthropod diversity: sweep nets, beating sheets, aspirators, kick nets, and dip nets will be used to locate and collect arthropods. b) Plant composition and diversity: survey plant species in the plot and quantify vegetation structure using quadrats placed along a transect set perpendicular to the river/creek edge. Some specimens will be collected for keying out later. c) Assessment of physical characteristics: physical variables of the river/creek and the plots will be measured and described. 2) Native vs. non-native grasslands Two 10m x 10m plots will be set up, one in an area dominated by non-native grasses and a second in native grassland. Students will observe and describe differences in vegetative structure and arthropod abundance and diversity. Arthropods will be located and collected using beating sheets, sweep nets, and aspirators. 3) Variation in western fence lizards: Students will catch and release (using nooses) lizards. Each lizard caught will be measured, weighted and it coloration described. These data will demonstrate within-species variation. Students will also observe and record the behavior of the lizards. 4) Additional activities will demonstrate other methods of studying plants and animals. These will include live trapping small mammals along Big Creek, setting out track plates baited with peanut butter and with tuna, setting up a night light to collect night flying insects, using a bat detector to find bats, students will also be doing a species checklist throughout the weekend. Our planned schedule of activities is: Friday 3/12 >1-3 sample at the Carmel River >3-4 arrive Hastings >4-5 orientation hike >5-6 set out traps >7-8 set out insect sheets and track plates >8-9 night hike > >Saturday 3/13 >7-8 check traps >9-12 native vs. non-native grasslands >1-3 sample at Robertson Creek >3-5 processing samples, checklist activity >7-9 fluorescent tracking, insect sheets, track plates > >Sunday 3/14 >9-11 variability in fence lizards >11-12 clean up

Visit #4952 @Hastings Natural History Reservation

Approved

Under Project # 1090 | Public Use

Exploring California Biodiversity

other - University of California, Berkeley

Reservation Members(s)

Betsy Mitchell Mar 12 - 13, 2004 (2 days)
Group of 15 K-12 Student Mar 12 - 13, 2004 (2 days)
Group of 5 Other Mar 12 - 13, 2004 (2 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Bunk House Cottage 21 Mar 12 - 13, 2004
Fanny Arnold Conference Room 21 Mar 12 - 13, 2004
Hastings Cabin 21 Mar 12 - 13, 2004
Ranch House 21 Mar 12 - 13, 2004