Exploring Ecology
Year 11 Ecology Practical in the Outdoor Classroom
As part of the IGCSE Biology course, students conduct a core practical looking at abundance of a species in a particular area. Our Year 11s are currently studying the Ecology unit, and with the cooler weather, it is the perfect time to get out into nature and study in the outdoor classroom.
In the UK, this practical is usually dandelions or daisies growing on the school playing field, but here in Thailand we have to get a little more creative! So instead, students study the Evolvulus rotundifolius, or as it’s commonly known, roundleaf bindweed. This plant plays a vital role in many tropical/subtropical regions as it helps stabilise soil and provide cover for small ground-dwelling organisms. The students used long tape measures to mark out areas of the Outdoor Classroom, one in the direct sun and one in the shade and looked at the relative abundance of the plant in these two areas using quadrats. They also measured the light intensity using lux meters, and spent time after the practical, discussing how this abiotic factor affects the plant’s population. Having our Outdoor Classroom on campus gives our budding scientists a natural lab filled with tactile learning!
Did you know: Evolvulus belongs to a genus commonly known as dwarf morning glories, which includes around 100 species native mainly to the Americas?
