Describing your Research Site
Think About the Past, Think About the Present

Why think about the past?
Ecologists study the history of a research site as they investigate why current ecological conditions exist. For example, knowing when the last fire occurred would explain certain vegetation patterns.

Urban ecologists also investigate the impact of past human decisions on current ecological conditions. For example, few mature saguaro cacti are found on ASU's "A" mountain. Without considering past human influence, you might base your explanation on natural phenomena (like soil type or exposure). By ignoring human factors, you would overlook the main reason for the lack of mature saguaro cacti: they were removed by people.


What historic events should you document?
Explore the following questions:

What was at your site before it became a school?
Is there a written site history?

When was your site transformed from desert landscape to some other use?

When did it become a schoolyard?
(i.e., transformed from desert to agricultural field in 1935; then in 1975 the school was built)

Who decided what vegetation to plant?

Have parts of the school yard changed from the original design?
If so, why were the changes made?