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Field Trip-Adalstjern 05/02/2014

Purpose of the trip:

• Purpose:

• - Training in fieldwork and in observation of a biotope or ecosystem during wintertime.

• - To learn how some environmental factors affect animals and plants, and how the animals and plants adapt.

Preparation for the Trip:Gathered Equipment:

1.Putter 2.Tweezers 3.Petri dish 4.Magnifier

5.Camera 6.Jars 7.Plastic Bags

Factors effecting the ecosystem:1.Environmental Factors

• We went on the excursion on the 5th of February 2014. We observed that environmental factors effected this ecosystem:

• 2. 0 degrees

• Snow on the ground, about up to our knees

• No breeze

• Cloudy, foggy

• No sun

• No rain or snow

2.Producers:

-Coniferous trees/birch trees Mixed Forest:

Moss on the tree: Tree Bark:

3. ConsumersFoot Prints: 1. Deer: 2.Squirrel

We saw old and new footprints when on the excursion. This was determined by the level of snow covering them.

Animals present which we did not see were hare, and mouse.

4.Degraders

1.Mushrooms on the trees:

2. Spider:

After leaving the moss and debris in an air locked bag over night, we found one spider. This shows how they adapt to the conditions.

5.Human Impact 1.Rubbish: (Suffocates animal) 2.Swing

3.Noise (Frights animals)

4.Walkers Snow sticks

What Characterize the Biotype in Winter:

Norway:

• Snow- animals hibernate, migrate and adapt with beaks and fur.

• Close to north pole-snowy

• Short periods of sun-less energy.

Ireland:

• Plenty of Rain-species washed to top of soils.

• Cold dry wind.

• No damage to the trees

Irish winter:

Irish making use of the weather conditions!!

How animal and plants survive in winter time:

Animals

Adaptions:

-Fur

-Hibernate

-Hide food

-Change of colour

Plants

• Losing their leaves saves them from losing water through evaporation and keeps them from being frozen

• Needles are covered by a waxen layer and have a smaller surface

And the animals we don’t see??

Animals living deep in the snow.

Animals hibernating for long periods.

Animals Migrating.