Why study vegetation?
- Plants form the basic foundation of food webs and support other life forms.
- Native plants have unique adaptations for living in desert environments.
- Non-native plants have different requirements (soil, water, nutrients) than native plants.
- The vegetation can influence the kinds of animals that are attracted to the area.
- Vegetation can be a sensitive indicator of change in local or regional environments.
What vegetation should we study?
The items most commonly found in a schoolyard include grass, trees, shrubs, cacti, and ground cover.
What does vegetation tell us about the urban environment?
Vegetation tells us about other environmental factors such as nutrient or water availability.
Differences between residential areas and desert remnants tells us about human behavior and decisions to alter the landscape.
Not all residential areas are alike, so it is also worthwhile to compare differences among schoolyards and/or backyards. There may be many factors that help to explain why certain types of vegetation are planted in particular areas.
Identifying non-native vegetation contributes to understanding similarities and differences between animal populations in desert remnants and residential areas.
What materials will you need?
- Map of Your School (see "Getting Started" if you have not made a map yet)
- Pencil
- Data Sheet
- Protractor
- Ruler
- Metric Tape Measure
- Metric Measuring Wheel (optional)
 
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