Sword Fern Investigation

Teacher page

Investigation Question:

Which habitat ______,______, ______has the most sword fern plants?*

·  Show students a sword fern plant or an ID card of Sword fern

·  Choose 2-3 different habitats along a path that have different characteristics-one more open, wetter, different forest types etc.

Materials:

Map of area to show locations of sites would be wonderful, but not required to do activity

Meter Stick or dowel-1 per group

Tape measure or string 5 meters long-1 per group

Plant ID card of sword ferns-1 per group

Clip boards

Thermometers-1 per group

Recording sheets

Procedure:

  1. Choose 2-3 habitats that are different-along a stream, an open area, and in the woods are ideal.
  2. Divide students into groups of 2-3
  3. Explain that in field investigations location and site descriptions are essential to gather useful information.
  4. Give students information about Sword fern and general characteristics about the 3 habitats they are investigating.
  5. Have students predict which habitat will have the most sword fern plants.
  6. Have students lay out the 5 meter string along the trail. Using the meter stick (or dowel) have students count the # of sword ferns within the meter stick on both sides of the trail (off the trail into the woods) along that 5 meter stretch. Students record the # of sword ferns.

* Could also ask- How does distance from a stream (5, 10, 15 meters) affect the number of Sword Fern Plants?

* Could do for other plants as well.


Sword Fern Investigation

Student Page

Field Investigation Question:

Which habitat______, ______,______

has the most sword fern plants?

Prediction: Predict which habitat you think will have the most sword ferns:

______

Materials: Sword fern ID card, 5 meter string, meter stick or dowel

Sword fern Investigation Procedure:

1.  Locate the first habitat______(site #1)along the trail

2.  Record the date, general site description, location if possible of the site

3.  Record the temperature and describe the weather

4.  Measure 5 meters along the trail at ______

5.  Using the meter stick count the # of sword ferns on both sides of the trail.

6.  Record the number of sword ferns on the data sheet.

7.  Locate the other 2 habitats (site 2 and site 3) along the trail and repeat steps 2 through six.


Sword fern

Field Investigation

Question______

Location______

Weather______

Date______Time______

Trial Number______

Habitat / Habitat Description / Temp.
°C / # of Sword Ferns
1
______
2
______
3
______

Sword Fern

Field Investigation

Question______

Prediction______

Location______

Weather______Temp____

Date______

Number of Sword Ferns
Habitat/area / Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trial 3 / Ave
# / Habitat/area Description
1
______
2
______
3
______

2

Sword Fern Investigation

Date:______Time:______Place:______

Question: Which habitat:______, ______, or______

has the most sword fern plants?

Habitat 1 description______

Habitat 2 description______

Habitat 3 description______

Habitat vs. Number of sword fern on a 5 meters line along the trail

Habitat / Number of Sword Ferns on a 5 meter line along the trail
Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trial 3 / Trial 4 / Trial 5 / Trial 6 / Trial 7 / Trial 8 / Trial 9 / Trial 10 / Average
1
2
3

2