Forest
Environment
This field trip should involve a public,
wooded land area, such as a national or state park, that is typical of your environmental
region. You should observe how the land and the water work together to create a healthy
ecological system. Take a guided tour if possible, if not, use the available literature to
help you address the report topics below. Use the topics below as guidelines to fulfill
the objectives of the field experience. We realize it may not be possible to meet everyone
of them at every place. Your report should include the following topics:
Take a look at the Florida State Park System
and choose one of these sites to experience the forest environment. Alternately, visit
this list of U.S. National Parks &
Monuments in Florida to find yet other options you might want to explore.
Finally, you might want to look at this web site of Florida Forests, Seashores,
& Preserves to identify other areas you might want to visit.
- Stop, look, listen, and
touch. Develop an aesthetic appreciation for the sounds, sights and
feelings from natural surroundings. Describe your experience and how
you feel in this natural environment.
- How have the elements shaped
the natural surroundings (include fire, water, weather)?
- How does the topography
(surface features of a place ie positions and elevation) affect the
plant and animal species found in the natural surrounds?
- Does water management influence
the area?
- Identify 5 tree species,
5 non-woody plants, and eight bird species in this environment.
- Explain one unique characteristic
of this special environment (this could relate to the history, development,
or geographic traits).
- Research the history of
this environment and find out how it came to be a protected area.
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