SHS - HabitatNet Getting Started An Introduction to HabitatNet

Welcome! HabitatNet's purpose is to give students an opportunity to collect data, conduct research, and purposefully make a difference with regard to a most important global issue. Biological diversity (biodiversity) is defined broadly in this project and thus includes each of the following statements into a definition of biodiversity:

• The total variety of species found in the Five Kingdoms of Life (Bacteria, Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals) within a specifically defined area.

Within the scope of this project, it may be one (1) 20 meter by 20 meter quadrant or an entire hectare (100 meter by 100 meter) divided into 20 meter by 20 meter quadrants.

• The total variety of habitat types found in the project area.

Examples may include: white pine forest, oak - hickory forest, field, riparian community, maple forest, flood plain, etc.

• The total variety of genotypes found within a species in a given habitat or region.

Obviously, this will be more difficult to document but you may have a local variety of a species that displays a characteristic phenotype for an unusual genotype that is worth noting in your project data.

Please make the necessary changes or alterations to the project you need to in order to best fit your needs. Whether you are able to monitor one 20 meter by 20 meter quadrant or up to an entire hectare, the filed experience and knowledge you will be sharing with your students in the same. All of us involved in HabitatNet may take pride in knowing that our students are gaining an appreciation of the significance of biodiversity as well as contributing research toward "making a difference as an individual" with regard to biodiversity on our planet!

Please read the following pages carefully as it will give you an overview of how to establish a permanent plot and what measurements you will need to take within your plot. Additionally, you will find data sheets and "sample" sheets for you to study and familiarize yourself with before getting started. Throughout the project, Melissa Chapman and I will be available to assist you with questions you may have. As we get going, students may also pose questions to other students involved with HabitatNet via email.


Best Wishes,
Dan Bisaccio
Project Director

HabitatNet	HabitatNet@sprise.com
Souhegan High School	Last Updated on 10/06/03 © 1998 Souhegan High School