Plant Identification

Many different plants can be found in a relatively small area, these plants are each distance and have become adapted, to live in a specific place and interact with its local surroundings. Many plants have become adapted in a variety of ways, from forming hardwood trunks, to reach to the sky or sticky seed pods, which hitch a ride on animals, the diversity which can be seen in any ecosystem is amazing.

Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to give, a general understanding of the various adaptations, which plants in a local ecosystem have and how these adaptations are essential to the survival of the plant species.

Time required: 2-3 hours

Materials: 1 hand-magnifying lens Pencil, coloring crayons, and paper Photographic camera (optional) Field guide of local plants, and insects.

Safety: Care should be practiced when observing any living thing, since many plants and animals are poisonous, you should become aquatinted with the possible risks involved with observing a particular species of plant, and care should always be taken to preserve the ecosystem which you are observing.

Procedure:

1. Find an area where there are several distinct species of plants growing, this can be a, wooded forest, a sandy beach, or a flower garden.
2. Use your hand lens to observe the unique structure of the leaves, flowers, fruit and other structures of the plant.
3. Record your observations of the plant structures and draw and color them in on your observations sheet.
4. As you record your observations, keep a close eye on the plant, but do not stay too close, as to scare any animals which may visit the plant. The idea is to observe the various pollinators and pests which visit the plant.
5. After you have thoroughly recorded your data you can begin to work on analyzing your data.

Analysis:

1. If you were unable to observe any of the plants natural pollinators, hypothesize what they may look like based on the flower shape and structure; often deep throated flowers have pollinators with long beaks or proboscis, which are able to suck nectar up like a straw.
2. If you did observe pollinators, look these up in your field guide and record their name, and any other relevant information about them.
3. Record any pests which you observed on the plant, look these up in your field guide and identify what type of problems the insects are creating.
4. Look at the way the plant grows and observe the formation of any fruits or seed pods how are these dispersed?
5. By asking yourself a variety of questions such as these, you will be able to gain an exceptional understanding of how different plants and animals interact, and the intricate processes which govern a plants survival

Continued Study:

1. Return to the location, where you observed the plants and observe then at a different time, such as in the evening rather than the morning. This will provide you insight on a whole new host of organisms, which are important to the plant's survival.
2. After you have researched a specific plant, leave a forum message or join the chat room, to discuss topics such as pollinators with other students from across the world.