Lichens as Air Quality Indicators: A beginning lichen
identification study (2003)
Field Exercise by Margaret
Peterson
Grade level:
6-8
Content Area:
Integrated science, life science, earth science
Time:
2 weeks
Standards:
Science
as Inquiry, populations and ecosystems, nature of science, diversity &
adaptations of organisms
Background knowledge/skills:
Measuring, microscope, variables, tree identification, keeping field notes, GPS
Materials:
(per
student team) compass, measuring tape, GPS, string, basic lichen ID book, 100
circle grid on transparency, vis-s-vie marker
Procedures:
- Indicate to students that a coal powered plant in a
local city has released chemicals in the air that may or may not contribute to
local pollution. The community is very concerned about their air quality and
wants to conduct some tests. You as a lichen specialist have been hired to
conduct these tests and report your findings. The first step is to identify
lichens on local trees and determine which lichens are the best bio-indicators
of air quality. You will be sampling the % of various types.
- Students select appropriate trees to study by
researching background information on lichens as
bioindicators and investigating tree species.
- As small teams students select set of similar size trees
- Determing latitude and
longitude using GPS and record in field notes.
- Students use compass to determing
geographical orientation of tress N,S,E,W.
- Students measure from bottom of tree to mark 1 ft. study
area. This needs to be predetermined by student and done consistently
throughout the study.
Suggested
protocol:
a) At
predetermined height students measure two location on tree and wrap string
around tree.
b)
Determining center point on study area for west side of tree students place
100-circle grid on tree - tape in place [may need other sticky type substance].
c) Using
100-circle grid, students identify types of lichens based on criteria such as
green crusty, yellow leafy, orange shrubby....
d) In
field notebook record findings.
e)
Calculate % cover for each type of lichen.
- Repeat for S.E.W tree quadrant
- Learning objectives:
1)
students will collect lichen data on 100-cirlce grid,
2) students will measure and establish research parameters,
3) student will calculate % of lichen types,
4) students will communicate findings as a research report.
Assessment:
As
teacher, I will create a rubric that includes student requirements for creating
their research site, such as measurements, 100 circle grid, % of lichen
findings, and research report as the assessment.
Enrichment/Reflection:
From this point students will continue their study by moving toward new
questions about lichens as air quality indicators and the micro-invertebrates
that live within the lichens.
Resources:Forested
area to study, Univ. of CT professor who works with lichens as
bioindicators or air quality, administrative
support, appropriate equipment
Barriers:-Students
tend to be cynical when given a question or problem to solve if perceived as
"fluff"
Responses:Prior
to introducing this problem, have smaller PBL/I's
for students to investigate so they become used to the "real world"
applications.
Color
identification system
| 
Center
for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science