Prompt
Collecting biodiversity data and making species lists reveals patterns. Scientists use these
approaches to gather information about ecosystems and to assess how the distribution of
organisms in an area has changed.When we know what exists in an area we can think about
possible impacts of different disturbances or changes in environmental conditions. Go to an area
that you are familiar with and have thought about the plants growing there previously. Local
parks are great locations, but vacant lots will also work if you don’t mind looking close to the
ground at weeds growing in the pavement cracks.
Procedure
Make a botanical inventory of botanical structures and or plant families we have discussed in
class.
Record simple drawings and text for each structure or plant family you identify.
If you can, see if you can use these structures to identify a plant to family level.
Suggestions
How many different structures did you identify? How many plant families? How many groups of
plants?
Are you surprised by how much you have retained or did you have to consult your notes for
ideas of what to look for?
Think about leaf arrangement, fruit and flower type, plant adaptations.
Did you notice anything that we haven’t discussed in class? Did you try to research what it was?
