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Scientific Investigations

The Biodiversity Study

Overview:

     Students need to inventory trees on their school campus and send their data to Virginia Tech by October 30. Data for all participating schools will be posted on the web by November 15, along with questions for students to answer. Simpson's Diversity Index will be used to determine whose school has the greatest diversity.

 Instructions:
  • Tag and number sequentially all the trees on your school grounds or nearby area.  Once all trees are numbered they can be used again for future observations.
  •  Identify each tree by species (e.g. red maple).  Accurate identification of the trees is critical.  Collect leaves, twigs, etc. and use the Leaf Key on the internet site to identify the trees.  Students should work in teams and other teams should confirm the identification along with the instructor.   The Virginia Tech student leader will also assist in identification.


 
 It is expected that these tasks will take several classroom periods depending on the number of trees.  Data collection sheets and a data submission form to be submitted directly over the internet are also provided.
 
 

Data Collection Sheet - Print this sheet and take it with you when you go to get your data.

Data Submission Form - Enter the data you collected here and submit it to us.

Summary of the 1999 Virginia Tech Biodiversity Study

Listing of trees for all participating schools

Basics of Tree ID