Sunday 30 January 2011

Localization The Rodna Mountains National Park Romania


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Localization The Rodna Mountains National Park Romania



The Rodna Mountains are in the region of Maramureş, in northern Romania.To the north lie the city of Borşa and the village Moisei. To the west the massif ends at the Setref-pass (817 m); to the east, the limits are the Prislop Pass (1,416 m) and the Rotunda Pass (1,271 m); to the south lie the villages of Rodna Veche, Şanţ, Maieru and Anieş, as well as the Someşul Mare Riverhaving its source in the Rodna Mountains.

Location 47°40'N; 23°00'E

Area (hectares) 46,399

Core area(s) 8,200

Buffer zone(s) 11,800

Transition area(s) when given 24,000

Altitude (metres above sea level) +900 to +2,303

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Puszcza Kampinoska - KAMPINOS FOREST - Poland


Geographical location:
52°14' to 52°26'N; 
20°12' to 20°57'E
 




Puszcza Kampinoska is located in the European lowlands in the north-east of Warsaw and parallel to the valley of the Wisła River. This biosphere reserve is characterized by a high diversity of lowland habitats with dune belts separated by swamp areas and a mixture of forest types.

 

DOGA COLLEGE FOREST






Beykoz Doga Campus is situated on fifty hectares of Ahmet Mithat Efendi’s farm, which has been in use for 150 years in the north-west of Turkey, in İstanbul. Doga transformed this beautiful environment into a valley of education. The Doga educational system is based on a concept of natural education, and the Beykoz Doga Campus offers ample opportunities for students to discover and develop their abilities in a natural atmosphere. From it’s horse-riding facilities to it’s zoo, and from trekking courses to camping grounds, the natural environment of Beykoz Campus provides students from both the Beykoz Campus and other Doga Campuses with the opportunity to experience nature-based education.

Sunday 23 January 2011

Studying the Maltese Forest

Studying the Maltese Forest.

Since the only forest in Malta is Buskett, we studied an area from this forest. Here we are describing our work. An area of around 50m by 50m was chosen. The criteria of selection were:
 to chose an area that is not cultivated by man and that grows wild
 that is safe to study i.e. no one can fall from high levels, there are no wells, no one can get lost
 where there is species richness and not bare land.
The students were grouped in 3s or 4s and every group had to study 10m by 10m.
Quadrat method was used to sample and study the area. The following instructions were given to the students.
Calculating the species diversity using quadrats.

Aim: To analyse the species diversity in a particular area at Buskett.
Apparatus: quadrat, foreceps, writing material, measuring tape, string.
Method:
1. Find a suitable area at Buskett where the analysis could be carried out.
2. Measure the area.
3. Mark the area to be studied by placing a string at the perimeter.
4. Draw a map of the area to be studied.
5. Throw the quadrat over the shoulder without looking at where the quadrat will fall. Make sure that it doesn’t fall out of the marked area. If it does, pick it up and throw it again.
6. Move closer to the quadrat and analyse all the living organisms that you see inside. Take note of any vegetation, snails, insects, worms, etc.
7. Repeat steps 4 and 6 10 times. Try to cover all the area.
8. Analyse the results.

Results: draw a map of the area and indicate in which part was each quadrat thrown.

Conclusions:
 What is the species diversity? (total number of different organisms found)
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 Which were the organisms found?

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 Which biotic component is most abundant?

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 Which biotic component is least abundant?

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 How were organisms distributed? (e.g. was there an organism found more in the shade, or in the sun, or near stones, or near a tree, etc)

Monday 17 January 2011

LEIRIA'S PINE WOOD - where to find it!

This first map shows you where our forests is located - quite close to the Ocean shore.
 
See it closer…











And closer…
Leiria’s Pinewood occupies about 11000ha of land.
It is located on the southern limit of a long littoral area of dunes covered with pine trees.
It starts close to the mouth of river Liz and lengthens along littoral coast to south.
It’s geographical co-ordinates are 39º 42’45’’N and 39º 53´N of latitude and 8º03’30’’W e 9º03’’W of longitude. The climate is Mediterranean and wet.

JANUARY PHOTO FRAGAS EUME. IES AS TELLEIRAS


As you can see from this photo, the river is mostly very calm. The forest canyon.
This is our photo of January.
We hope that you enjoy it

GEOGRAPHY NOTES FRAGAS DO EUME. IES AS TELLEIRAS

My pupils made a description of the geography of the nature park Fragas do Eume.
This space - of something more than 9000 hectares -, comprises of the river basin of the Eume river, being able to define the great majority of its land like of average mountain, and characterizing its landscape by a strong intervention of the man.