Year 12 Biology Field trip to Amersham 2019

Early June 2019, the Year 12 Biology students visited Amersham Field Centre, to learn more about succession from grassland to woodland and to undertake two ecological practical endorsement investigations. To investigate succession a transect (tape measure) was placed from the grassland into the woodland and at every metre a point quadrat was used to record the number and different types of plant species (biotic factor). Abiotic factors (non-living) were also sampled, using a light intensity meter and a temperature probe to measure the temperatures of the soil and air. Soil depth was measured by pushing a knitting needle into the soil and then measuring the length with a ruler. Canopy cover was measured using a gridded quadrat and soil pH using a pH meter. The results were analysed using a Spearman’s Rank Correlation statistical test, to see if there were significant correlations between various factors, such as canopy cover and soil depth along the transect.

The afternoon activity involved sampling two woodlands in different stages of succession, one in early succession and the other in late succession (climax community). We used the technique of random sampling using a random number table to generate random coordinates where we placed the framed quadrats. Using random coordinates prevented bias in our sampling.

This was a highly productive and enjoyable day.

Mrs N Asquith