Date Time Daily Temperature- Usethe information in the table to draw a line graph of the temperature over the study
period. - Draw a second line graph showing the temperatures at different times of the day. Com-
ment on the pattern observed in the different temperature recordings.
- Light
- To measure the photoperiod of your ecosystem, you are required to keep a record of
the times of sunrise and sunset over a two-week period. - Record the effects of the photoperiod on the behaviour of plants. An example is:
daisies open during the day and close at night. Record what happens to your plants.
Complete a table similar to the table below.
Date Time Flower Opens Time Flower Closes- Draw two line graphs showing the times the flowers open and the time the flowers
close. - Also record the times of sunrise and sunset.
- From your graph discuss if the opening and closing of the flowers are related to sunrise
and sunset.
- Physiographic Factors
- If your ecosystem is on a slope, record the direction of the slope.
- Studying biotic factors
If the ecosystem you are studying covers a large area, it may be difficult to observe all the
living organisms. If this is the case, you can get some idea of the plant and animal diversity
in the ecosystem you are studying by choosing a smaller sample area to study.You will need:- pencil
- wooden sticks
- string
- metre stick or measuring tape or string
- field guide to plants and animals in you ecosystem (if necessary)
- Mark out an area of 4 square metres in your ecosystem.
- Choose an area you think will contain the most plants and animals.
276 9.5. Ecosystems