HABITAT MAPPING EXERCISE

See below for downloadable files

Objectives:

  1. Characterize habitat in the field.
  2. Develop habitat mapping skills and relate them to aerial photographs,
  3. Appreciate the usefulness of a well-developed map product.
  4. Get outside!

 

Assignment:

  1. Examine the copy of the aerial photo of the Red River Valley Natural History Area.  Determine where you are on the photo.

 

  1. Make a walking reconnaissance of the area.  Note topography, vegetation, composition and age structure of the vegetation.  Take notes as you travel.  Mark your location on the air photo and describe in your notes what you see at each point.  Remember, the aerial photo may not be current (e.g., 10 years old) and you must mentally compensate for years of natural change (succession) plus some possible anthropogenic (human caused) changes.

 

  1. Draw lines on the photo delineating major habitat types as characterized y by the same topography and/ or vegetation.  Some vegetation may be the same species but of different ages in different areas, suggesting a separate habitat type. 

 

  1. After “roughing in” the habitat type map on your photo (showing habitat types, roads, fences, etc.), make a tracing onto white paper oriented lengthwise (landscape) so that your legend can be presented to the right or below the map. 

 

  1. Include a separate description of the habitats noting dominant species present, ages of trees, density of different layers (if a forest), etc.

 

  1. Characteristics of a good habitat map:
    1. A good habitat map should be accurate, informational and attractive.  Plan you map so that it has a uniform border of “white space” around the map and legend. 
    2. Every place inside the boundary should be part of a labeled habitat or field, road, etc.
    3. Use symbols or colors to designate habitat types that are suggestive of the habitat.  For example, use [insert wavy lines] or the color blue to indicate water.

 

  1. The following should be on the map:
    1. title, legend, scale, natural and existing human-made features (roads, buildings, fences), direction of north, map developer (your name), date, reference map used.

 

  1. When you have completed the map, ask yourself the following questions:
    Would it be meaningful to someone else?  Does it have a balanced layout?  Is it something I am proud to put my name on?

 

  1. Be sure to hand in your map, your habitat descriptions, and your field map & notes.

 

  1. This assignment, additional notes, and an example can be seen at: http://sunny.crk.umn.edu/courses/natr/3654/lab1habitatmapping.htm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Image courtesy of the US Geological Survey

3 km NW of Crookston, Minnesota, United States 19 Apr 1991, 2-m pixel resolution, available electronically from http://www.terraserver.com

 


this is the same image, larger view, 4-m pixel resolution ( w/ UMC campus on the right)

 

For more info on maps and map making, see the USGS National Mapping Information site at http://mapping.usgs.gov/

 

 

Downloadable files:

Lab Exercise

Scoring Rubric

Here is a well done map example from Fall 2000 (this student's habitat descriptions are not included).