Field Site

Why Choose a Field Site?

Choosing a field site allows you to make observations and do studies and experiments at the same place over a period of time. When you observe in the same place over time, you can see how the place, its organisms, and other natural elements change. You can really get to know the area and its inhabitants.

When you spend time choosing a good field site, you can be sure that you have a good chance to see the organisms or other natural elements you are looking for. If you want to study deer, for example, it may not make sense to go to a small park in the middle of a city to observe them. However, if you want to observe squirrels, that same park would be an ideal place to go.

What Makes a Good Field Site?

Choosing a good field site can make big difference in the data you collect. How would you go about choosing a good site?

  • What things do you need to consider when choosing your site?
  • What resources might you use to find a good site?

Watch the video of a scientist explaining how he chooses a field site. What kinds of things does he consider when choosing a site?

Choosing Your Field Site

Before you can begin gathering data, you must choose a good site. If you are working with a group or a class, you will need to make this decision together.

  1. Think carefully about the kind of data you will collect. In this case, you will be gathering data about soil and soil critters. What are some things that your site must have so that you can gather the data you are looking for?
  2. Think of at least two areas where you could go to collect data. If possible, go to these areas and look around. For each site you consider, make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of the site.
  3. Look at the advantages and disadvantages you listed for each possible site and choose one of the sites.
  4. Go out to your site and create a detailed site description and map of your site. You can use the Field Site Description worksheet or create your own.
  5. Add the worksheet to your field journal.

Tips for Choosing a Field Site

Choosing a good field site is very important. Below are a few tips to consider as you choose your site.

  • Think about what you want to study and find a site that matches. In this case, you want to study the soil and soil critters, so be sure to choose an area where you can easily get to and study the soil.
  • Think about diversity. A field site with several micro-habitats might give you more interesting data than one that is all the same.
  • Be practical. Choose a site that is close by and easy to get to. You will want to visit your site regularly.
  • Be considerate. Choose a site where your work won't be a problem for other people who use the site. For example, it is probably not a good idea to dig holes on the sports field, where players may be injured if they step in one.
  • Think about the size of your field site. For some of the activities on this Web site, you will divide your field site into smaller quadrants to study. Look for an area that is large enough to be interesting and challenging, but not too large to manage.

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