Atlantic Forest
General Methadology for Instructors and TAs

Exercise 2: Measurement of Local Diversity
Module 2: Introduction to Local Biomes

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  1. Background Lecture
    • On local site (someone local?)
    • Classification of communities (physiognomy, UNESCO system)
    • Ecological diversity (alpha diversity — use Simpson) and equitability
  2. Activities in the experiment
    • Exploration of general area to show different community types
    • Map reading
    • GPS and compass use
    • Quadrat sampling
    • Calculation of diversity and equibility
    • Field identification of tree species
  3. Hypotheses to test
  4. Relation between area and diversity
  5. Independent variables in the experiment
  6. Dependent variables that they could use in their experimental design.
  7. Student evaluation
    • Based on presentation of results (written and oral)
  8. Preparation notes
    • Field safety (Christie)