ENVIRSC 1C03 McMaster Biodiversity and Vegetation Inventories Lab Report follow the instruction Lab 5 – Tree Identification Biodiversity and Vegetation Inv | Course Hero

ENVIRSC 1C03 McMaster Biodiversity and Vegetation Inventories Lab Report follow the instruction Lab 5 – Tree Identification
Biodiversity and Vegetation Inventories
Total Marks:
Due: Wednesday, August 5th , 2020 at 1:pm
Important Note: You will loose 5% on this lab if the Academic integrity quiz on Avenue is not
complete
Purpose: Broad ecosystem patterns have a predictable set of organisms that live under particular
conditions. Different regions have distinct biotic communities that reflect the altitude, climate,
soil conditions and other environmental factors. Biomes are named after the dominant vegetation
in the community as it often represents prevailing conditions. Trees have the added advantage of
being easy to identify and are valued as a source of food, shelter, habitat, and recreation within
the ecosystem.
This lab will consist of fieldwork where you will catalogue trees in your area using a free mobile
app, or you may choose from several free tree identification sites online. Books and tree guides
from the library are also widely available.
You will submit:
1. A description of one deciduous and one coniferous tree including photos of features you
used to identify your specimens.
2. A table of tree identification criteria for 10 different trees in your area.
3. A map of the location of these trees in .kmz or .kml format on google earth just like in
Lab 1. You will use pins to label the exact location of each identified tree and the
Common and Latin names in the pin title.
4. A recommendation of which trees are performing best in your area and which should be
considered stressed or thriving according to your investigation.
Part 1: Tree Descriptions (20 marks)
Download the Leafsnap app to your phone. The free version is all that is required. You can use
any tree id app if you have another you prefer, all we need is the name or a few possible
candidates to choose from. Ideally the app should work by taking a picture of the tree’s lea f or
needles.
Once you have the name start filling out the excel spreadsheet with this lab assignment.
How to fill out The Tree Identification Table
Name
The first 2 columns are provided by your Leafsnap app or other online tree identification app.
Please italicize the Latin binomial. If you have access to tree identification literature or other
diagnostic guides, these fields may need to be filled out last.
Type
This refers to coniferous vs deciduous, and broadly speaking distinguishes between leafy trees
and needle or platy trees.
Bark
This is the outward expression of the outer layer of bark. This can look different at different
stages of the tree’s maturity. Please state what it looks like at the time of identification. Bark
alone is not a fully reliable indicator of the type of tree you have.
When it comes to conifers, the bark of pine trees is smooth on young trees but develops a flaky,
reddish-brown color with age. Scots pines have a distinctive orange/red peeling bark. White
pines can have smooth bark, even when mature. The bark on spruce trees is generally rough to
touch and becomes furrowed and scaly with age. Fir trees have smooth bark that is often grayish
when young but develops a furrowed appearance as it ages. The dynamics of the bark
morphology and appearance is a great way to rule out certain species.
Crown, Canopy and Silhouette
The crown of a plant refers to the total of an individual plant’s aboveground parts,
including stems, leaves, and reproductive structures. A plant community canopy consists of one
or more plant crowns growing in a given area.
Leaf or Needle
When identifying leaves, the first thing to look at is the arrangement of the leaves along the stem.
Some leaves grow in pairs opposite each other on the stem, while others grow in an alternating
pattern (see appendix).
The next thing to inspect is the structure of the leaves. All leaves consist of two main parts, a
petiole and a lamina. The lamina, or the leaf blade, is the flat area where photosynthesis occurs,
while the petiole is the stalk that connects the lamina to the stem. If a leaf has an undivided
blade, it is classified as a simple leaf. If a leaf has a divided blade—one that forms a collection of
leaflets—it is considered a compound leaf.
Compound leaves can be sub-classified based on the arrangement of their leaflets. Palmately
compound leaves have leaflets that extend directly from the end of the petiole. They spread out,
in sets of three or more, like fingers from the palm of the hand. Pinnately compound leaves have
leaflets that extend from a vein that connects to the petiole. Bipinnately compound leaves extend
from secondary veins that connect to the main vein.
Once you have narrowed down the type of leaf, you should examine the tree’s other features,
including its size and shape, its flowers (if it has any), and its bark. Together, this information
should allow you to make an identification of the tree.
Like deciduous trees, conifers can be identified by their “leaves.” The “leaves” of conifers are of
course their needles. On true pine trees, the needles are arranged and attached to the branches in
clusters of two (red pine group), three (yellow pine group), or five+ (white pine group) needles
per cluster. Spruce and fir trees have their needles attached individually to the branches. Needles
can be straight or twisted, and thy can be round or have 2, 3 or 4 sides.
Things to look for in coniferous trees:
•
•
•
Needles or overlapping scales
Needles are attached to the stem, either in bundles or singly
Needle length
To tell spruce and fir trees apart, it helps to know that spruce needles are sharply pointed, square
and easy to roll between your fingers. Fir needles, on the other hand, are softer, flat and cannot
be rolled between your fingers. Spruce needles are attached to small, stalk -like woody
projections. When needles are shed, these projections remain. As a result, the branches of spruce
trees feel rough. Fir branches lack these projections, and thus have smooth bark. The color and
length of needles are not reliable means of identification; these can vary from tree to tree,
depending on cultural conditions and the planting site.
Flowers, Fruit and Cones
This late in the summer, few flowers or fruit (seeds) will still be on the tree, so look around d the
tree’s base for hints and likely candidates. Flowers and fruit will be described be colour and
cluster or arrangement.
All conifers produce cones, which are incorrectly called pinecones since not all conifers that
produce cones are true pines. Cones are made up of scales attached to a center stalk. In between
the overlapping scales the seeds can be found. The scales on the cones help us identify the
various species. Pinecone scales are woody in nature, with a rigid feel. In contrast, spruce cones
have thinner scales than pinecones, which gives them a more flexible feel.
The length of cone is not a reliable way of differentiating most types of conifers because the
length can vary from tree to tree but may confirm a range of possible lengths if you are not using
a photo app.
Trunk Diameter
Measure 1.25 m from the ground (this is Diameter at Breast Height – DBH). Wrap a measuring tape
completely around the tree (as though putting on a belt) until zero on the tape reaches the tape again. Read
the number where zero meets the tape. This is the circumference of the tree at breast height. Record the
circumference for this tree in cm. Find the diameter by taking the circumference and dividing by the
number ? (3.14)
Example: If the circumference of the tree is 46.5 cm, Diameter = 46.5/3.14 then Diameter = ~14.8 cm
Height
This is the height in meters of the base of the tree to the highest part of the crown. Just an
estimation is fine. If your tree is near a building, remember that each story is between 3 and 4
meters tall. You can measure a street sign and estimate how many “signs” high it looks from a
distance. Do your best estimate, and remember ranges are often + or – 5m.
Habitat and Range
This will require a little poking around on the internet. I have provided a few good websites so
have a look at all of them, including lecture 20 on Echo360 (avenue to Learn) before stating this
assignment. Aside from geography, altitude, climate, and soil conditions should be noted.
Ecosystem status
Options here are: Native, non-native (an anomaly), introduced (used to be non-native but
intentional planting has made it establish in natural areas similar to it’s native environment, and
invasive (shouldn’t be here and is out-competing the native trees and vegetation)
Tree Condition
During your tree identification, you should rate the condition of the trees. The following
guidelines will help you to determine how to rate a tree’s condition. Keep in mind that if you
think a tree does not look healthy it probably isn’t. You can use similar ty pes of trees in the area
to base your judgments of what the tree you are rating should look like. Once you become more
familiar with how specific trees are supposed to look, rating their condition will be easy.
Procedure Evaluating tree condition is a somewhat subjective exercise because such evaluations
rely on visual assessments made by observers. The simplest scales rate the condition of living
trees as good, fair, or poor. In your study area, you will take a look at each tree from a distance to
view the entire canopy (top and branches) and then move closer to the tree to observe any
characteristics that will help you rate the condition of the tree. Finally, look closely at the trunk
and where the trunk goes into the ground.
Good
•
•
•
•
Fair
•
•
•
Poor
•
•
•
•
•
Full canopy
Minimal to no mechanical damage to trunk
No dieback of branches over 2” diameter in the upper crown
No suckering (upright shoots growing from the roots or branches and appear out of place)
Thinning canopy (the tree might look different than similar trees around it)
Significant damage to trunk caused by Insects or disease
Premature fall coloring on foliage (leaves turn colors before they are supposed too)
Tree is declining
Visible dead branches over 5 cm diameter in canopy
Significant dieback of living branches (the tips have no leaves)
Severe mechanical damage to trunk, including decay
Bark may be beginning to peel in dead or dying areas
Dead
• No live foliage visible during trees growing season (spring through fall).
Example for written descriptions:
1) Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda): This coniferous tree has bark with dark grey furrows that beeak
it into elongated plates (Figure 1). It has a rounded spreading crown that stands over 30 m tall
and covers over 25 m in diameter (Figure 2). The trunk was measured to be 90 cm in diameter.
Figure 1: Bark of a Loblolly Pine
Figure 2: Crown
Figure 3: Needles and cones
The yellow green needles were around 15 cm long and grew in bunbles of three. Cones were
typically 10 cm long with thick scales and tipped with sharp spines. While this tree was in good
overall condition, it is not usually found in Canada, rather the coastal planes of the southeastern
US. As there were only 2 found on landscaped private property this is an example of a nonnative species.
2) Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): This deciduous tree has smooth light grey bark
typical of the juvenile stage of the tree (Figure 4). The tree identified was just over 6 m tall, far
short of 12-18 m height of mature trees. The young crown was 4 m in diameter and had a dense
upright-oval shape (Figure 5).
Figure 4: Bark of a Horse Chestnut.
Figure 5: Shape
Figure 6: Leaves, hand for scale.
Leaves are palmately compound with 7 leaflets that fan out from the leaf stalk. Leaflets are 6 20 cm long, broadest above the middle with an abruptly pointed tip, a tapered base, and coarsely
toothed margins. Leaves have an opposite arrangement on the branch. Newly emerging leaflets
droop like an umbrella before they expand. The tree is growing well and assessed as in good
condition. There were no fruit or flowers present as the tree survey was conducted in late
summer.
This tree has been introduced to this urban setting, originating from the Balkans in southern
Europe. While not a native species, it seems to have adapted well to the Canadian biome, evident
from its wide use in suburban communities.
Part 2: Tree Inventory (20 marks)
Give a brief description of the location, climate and altitude/elevation as it relates to plants and
tree biota in of the study area. Rural/urban, mountain/coastal, continental/maritime, etc…
The table to fill out is included in this assignment in Avenue to Learn.You must fill out 10
entries, including the ones described in Part 1. The total count of all trees should sum to 20 o r
more (far right column). There is no need to give description and photos in this section just 8
more summarized in the table.
Part 3: KMZ File (5 marks)
This map should include all 20 of your trees with the Latin and Commn names in the pin label.
Part 4: Tree Recommendations (5 marks)
A brief write up (100-200 words) on what trees are thriving, which are stressed and any
recommendations you have from your analysis which suggest which trees best suited for the
environment. Use the data from your table to support your answer.
Please refer to the websites provided for tree identification resources in the appendix. There are
many others I invite you to use, however I found these most useful.
Table Example
SPECIES
LATIN
BINOMIAL
Pinus taeda
COMMON
NAME
Loblolly
Pine
Type
C/
D
Bark
C
Dark
Grey
with
furrows
that
break it
into
elogated
plates
Aesculus
hippocastanum
Horse
Chestnut
D
Prunus
pensylvanica
Pin Cherry
D
Quercus robur
English
Oak
D
Rhamnus
cathartica
European
Buckthorn
D
Pinus Strobus
White Pine
C
Ulmus
americana
White Elm
D
Malus pumila
Domestic
Apple
D
Smooth
light
grey
Canopy /
Silouette
Leaf /
Needle
Flowers
/ Fruit /
Cones
Rounded
Spreading
crown,
15 cm
yellowgreen
twisted
needles,
in
groups
of 3
10 cm
cones
with
thick
scales,
tipped
with
spines
Dense,
uprightoval
crown
Opposite
compund
leaves of
7
leaflets,
each 6 20 cm
long
None
present
Trunk
Diameter
(cm)
90
12
Height
(m)
Habitat
and
Range
30
Coastal
plains of
Southern
US
6
Mountains
of
southern
Europe
Condition
(G, F, P,
D)
Total
Count
NonNative
Good
2
Introduced
Good
8
Ecosystem
Status
Appendix
Oposite Leaves
Alternate Leaves
Single Leaves left to right: with lobes and toothed edges; with no lobes and toothed edges; with no lobes
and smooth edges; elongate with no lobes and toothed edges.
Compound leaves made of individual leaflets and can be opposite or alternate or palmate (last one on the
right).
Websites

Home

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get Your Custom Essay on

ENVIRSC 1C03 McMaster Biodiversity and Vegetation Inventories Lab Report follow the instruction Lab 5 – Tree Identification Biodiversity and Vegetation Inv | Course Hero

This is a Snippet Preview, get a Complete Solution Here

Order Essay

https://treebee.ca/identify-a-tree/
https://www.leaf-id.com/
http://data.canadensys.net/vascan/search?lang=en
https://www.arborday.org/trees/whatTree/
SPECIES
LATIN
BINOMIAL
Type
COMMON C / D
NAME
Bark
Canopy /
Silouette
Leaf /
Needle
Flowers /
Fruit / Cones
Trunk
Diameter
(cm)
Height Habitat
(m) and Range
Condition
Ecosystem (G, F, P, D)
Status
Total
Count
SPECIES
Type
COMMON C / D
LATIN BINOMIAL
NAME
Pinus taeda
Loblolly
Pine
C
Aesculus
hippocastanum
Horse
Chestnut
D
Prunus pensylvanica
Pin Cherry
D
Quercus robur
D
Pinus Strobus
English Oak
European
Buckthorn
White Pine
Ulmus americana
White Elm
D
Malus pumila
Domestic
Apple
D
Rhamnus cathartica
D
C
Bark
Canopy /
Silouette
Dark Grey
with furrows
Rounded
that break it
Spreading
into
crown,
elogated
plates
Smooth
light grey
Leaf /
Needle
Flowers /
Fruit / Cones
15 cm
yellow10 cm cones
green
with thick
twisted
scales, tipped
needles, in
with spines
groups of 3
Opposite
compund
Dense,
leaves of 7
upright-oval
leaflets,
crown
each 6 – 20
cm long
None present
Trunk
Diameter
(cm)
Height Habitat
(m) and Range
90
30
Coastal
plains of
Southern
US
12
6
Mountains
of southern
Europe
Condition
Ecosystem (G, F, P, D)
Status
Total
Count
Non-Native
Good
2
Introduced
Good
8

Purchase answer to see full
attachment