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FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
Geology of Eaton Canyon
Steep slopes, deep canyons, and sharp ridges characterize the San Gabriel Mountains. These are young
mountains and have been elevated from their surroundings by faulting, or earthquake movements. Because of
earthquake activity, the mountains are composed of shattered rock that is rapidly eroded. Heavy rains cause sand and
rocks to be washed down to lowlands and basins. This water-transported rock and sand is called "alluvium", which
means mud or sand deposited by flowing water. Because alluvia are porous and well drained, the upper soil becomes
quite dry only a few days after a rainstorm. The deeper levels of the soil remain moist most of the year, permitting
plants with deep roots to reach limited quantities of water.
1) There are two types of rocks in Eaton Canyon, name them and explained how they originated
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The Chaparral Biome
The type of biome (ecosystem) present in Eaton Canyon is chaparral. The word Chaparral comes from the
Spanish word, "chaparro" meaning scrub oak (smaller than normal, short, chubby). This biome is found almost in every
continent and is characterized for being very hot and dry, with mild winters with temperatures of about 50°F and hot
and dry summers with temperatures in the order of 105°C. As a result, fires and droughts are very common. Most of
the 12-40 inches per year of precipitation is in the form of rain (a tropical rainforest may receive up to 1000 inches!).
2) Plants adaptations to the chaparral: List possible adaptations for the hot and dry environment present here
a…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
d…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Fire Ecology
3) Fire Ecology deals then with the study of wild land fire dynamics in a particular region and how they affect the
ecosystem. How are natural fires important to the chaparral ecosystem?
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4) Plants adaptations: What adaptations against fire do plants have in the chaparral?
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5) Plants adaptations: How does the coastal sage scrub particularly “interact” with fires?
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General Biology Lab
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/
FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
Animals
6) What type of insect is the one represented in the picture?
(BEE / MOSQUITO / FLY / WASP)
This native insect is a copycat (imitator, one that mimics) of the common honeybee.
7) What could be the benefit of looking similar to a honeybee?
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8) Mention other adaptations insects use as to achieve the same successful result of the one mentioned above.
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9) What other animal of the chaparral has an effective way to avoid predators?
(Hint: is one of the mummified mammals in exhibition)
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10) Mention animal species that are non-native (introduced) to the Eaton Canyon.
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11) What nonnative animal is a marsupial? ……………………………………………………..............................
12) Which live animals in exhibition are amphibians?
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Venomous vs. Non-venomous Snakes
13) The head and neck of the non-venomous gopher snake
(left) are nearly the same width. The rattlesnake's head (right)
is triangular shaped. What do you think those bulges
(protrusions, projections) at the base of a rattlesnake's head
may be for?
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General Biology Lab
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/
FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
14) Move around in the Nature Center and list some mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that inhabit the
Chaparral
MAMMALS
COMMON NAME
FOOD CHAIN POSITION
1
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
2
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
3
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
4
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
5
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
6
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
7
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
8
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
9
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
10
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
BIRDS
COMMON NAME
FOOD CHAIN POSITION
1
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
2
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
3
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
4
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
5
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
6
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
7
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
8
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
General Biology Lab
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/
FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
REPTILES
COMMON NAME
FOOD CHAIN POSITION
1
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
2
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
3
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
4
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
5
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
AMPHIBIANS
COMMON NAME
FOOD CHAIN POSITION
1
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
2
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
3
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
4
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
5
Herbivore / Carnivore / Omnivore
Introduced or Native?
15) There are three food chains described in the visitor center:
1) Coffee berries  ground squirrels  coyote
2) Roots / tubers  crickets  striped skunk
3) Grass seeds  mice  Owl
Now, with your recently acquired knowledge and all the animals and plants in exhibition in the visitor center,
dream up three more possible food chains
1
2
3
General Biology Lab
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/
FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
Plants
16) Yucca pollination ecology is an example of a tight symbiosis called mutualism (a
mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship in which each species depends on the other for
survival.) With only one exception, yucca reproduction depends on moths (nocturnal insect
similar to a butterfly), which deliberately cross-pollinate the flowers. (Yucca aloifolia of the
southeastern U.S. is pollinated by bees.) The blossoms (flowers) need pollen from a
different plant in order to produce seed, and it must be packed into a deep receptacle on
the stigma, an event that could not occur by chance visitation. The moth is equally
dependent on the yucca. It lays eggs on each pollinated ovary, and the hatched larvae eat
some of the developing seeds. Biologists have only recently determined that almost every
species of yucca has its own species of yucca moth; some yuccas have two moth species.
Such a tight mutualism has risks for both partners. Emergence of adult moths must
coincide with yucca flowering for the reproductive needs of both species to be met.
However, the synchronization of moth emergence with flowering is frequently poor and
seed set and moth reproduction in such years are low. Furthermore, yucca populations
may flower sparsely or not at all in dry years. Yuccas don’t have to set seed every year
because they flower many times in their long lives. The yucca moths employ a survival
strategy analogous (meaning different origin but the same purpose!) to that of desert
annual plants. The full-grown larvae exit the ripening yucca fruit and burrow into the
ground, where they enter a deep dormancy. Like the seeds of many annuals, only some of
the larvae will metamorphose and emerge as moths in the following flowering season. The
rest remain in “sleeping” for two or more years.
What does “cross-pollination” mean?……………………………………………………………………………………...
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What would happen if a fire accidentally kills the entire population of Yuccas in the Eaton Canyon?
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17) What adaptation do plants of the chaparral have to avoid predation by animals (herbivores)?
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18) Why do you think that nonnative species usually become dominant in ecosystems in which they are introduced?
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The coast live oak provides food and home for many plants and animals in this area. Each oak leaf is a potential home
for a small insect species, the crown whitefly. These seemingly insignificant insects are the main food source of the
bushtit, a small resident bird. The fruit of the live oak is called acorn, they have almost the same amount of proteins
and carbohydrates and almost 5 times the fiber of wheat! Acorns are still another source of food, being harvested from
the trees by Mule deer, ground squirrels, Acorn woodpeckers, Scrub jays, Dusky-footed wood rats, and Band-tailed
pigeons.
19) Plants adaptations: Why are so many live oaks in the canyon still alive after being severely burned?
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General Biology Lab
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/
FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
Using a Classification or “Dichotomous” Key for Plants
Classification keys are normally used to differentiate species, or other taxonomic groups, based mainly on external
characteristics. Classification keys are mostly based on external characteristics and are also referred as “dichotomous”
(divided into two branches) keys, because the key is organized, presenting always 2 options to decide from (a,b). The
classification keys consist then of a list of contrasting statements presented as a dichotomy, in pairs, about the
morphology (appearance) of a group of organisms. These keys are used only for classification purposes but DO NOT
necessarily reflect evolutionary similarities between two groups, as two not related animals like bees and birds could
be grouped together on the base of the presence of wings for example
How to use a dichotomous key
When using dichotomous keys you are always given two choices (1a, 1b) of descriptions of characteristics for the
organism to be identified. You have to decide which one of the two descriptions best defines the organism you have.
When one description is chosen, you are sent to another pair of descriptions. Eventually, by making these choices you
arrive to a pair of descriptions that give you the name of your organism.
20) Analyze the key given to you by your instructor, what is the first dichotomy used to differentiate plants?
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21) Are the names for the species presented with the common name only, scientific name (in Latin) only, or both?
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22) Look at the pictures provided for leaf types and construct two possible dichotomies you could use in a key to
differentiate plants based on the leaf type
Leaf is SIMPLE ……………………………………… versus leaf is ...…………………………………………………
Leaf is ………………………………………………… versus leaf is ……………………………………………………
23) Look at the pictures provided for leaf venation and construct two possible dichotomies you could use in a key to
differentiate plants based on the way the veins appear on the leaf
Leaf …………………………………………….…… versus leaf . ...…………….………………………………………
Leaf ………………………………………………… versus leaf . ………….……………………………………………
24) Look at the pictures provided for leaf arrangement and construct two possible dichotomies you could use in a
key to differentiate plants based on the way the leaves arrange in the stem
Leaf …………………………………………….…… versus leaf . ...…………….………………………………………
Leaf …………………………………………….…… versus leaf . ...…………….………………………………………
25) Look at the picture showing the different leaf margins (edges) types and order the following types from no
irregularities (uniform leaf edges) to more irregularities.
SERRATE – LOBED – ENTIRE – DENTICULATE – INCISED
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General Biology Lab
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/
FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
26) Using the classification key provided by your lab instructor, find the common and taxonomic name for all the
plants indicated by your instructor
COMMON NAME AND SCIENTIFIC NAME
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3………………………………………………………………….
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10…………………………………………………………………
11…………………………………………………………………
12…………………………………………………………………
General Biology Lab
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Tree or Shrub?
Introduced or Native?
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/
FIELD TRIP: EATON CANYON
Name:
PLANTS ADAPTATIONS TO CHAPARRAL
Most chaparral plants have leaves with thick epidermis, which holds moisture (reduces water evaporation).
Other lack leaves at all (cactuses), or they have tiny scale-like leaves. The plants have adapted by conserving water
through small, waxy leaves and being able to live with as little water as possible. Grey or light colored foliage reflects
light, reducing heat and thus water loss from transpiration. Thick fleshy leaves can store water; many succulents have
thick leaves that, when bruised or broken, contain a great deal of moisture
Plants in the chaparral often have root systems designed to get as much water as possible. Shallow roots
extend horizontally under the surface of the soils and are good at catching water when it falls as rain; taproots extend
deep into the soil to capture groundwater.
PLANTS ADAPTATIONS TO FIRE
Most fire adaptations among plants involve suites of traits that adapt to a variety of stresses -- to drought and
to browsing and grazing as well as to burning. Yet many traits seem more specific to fire. Some plants survive, for
example, by protecting their vital organs from heat. Larch bear dense bark capable of withstanding surface fires.
Ponderosa pine shed lower branches as they mature, shielding sensitive needles from scorching fires below. African
aloes and Brazilian proteas surround buds with moist tissues capable of absorbing heat.
Some plants use the heat to their advantage. Scrub oak and chamise, an evergreen shrub, resprout from roots
or branches after fire has incinerated their outer limbs. If fire destroys their branches, many eucalypts will throw out
new branches by sprouting from their trunks. After flames destroy their trunks, mallee, low-growing, shrubby eucalypts,
send out vigorous shoots from special nutrient-storage organs found in their roots. Australian grass trees push out new
leaves and even bloom -- and may only bloom -- after a scouring fire.
Other plants opportunistically seize a site temporarily purged by fire to promote their own reproduction. Cape
lilies lie dormant until flames brush away the covering, then blossom almost overnight. Lodgepole pine and jack pine
rely on the pulse of flame through their crowns to melt away the waxy bond that holds their cones closed; their seeds
then fall to fresh ash below, where they can take root without much competition. Sequoia seedlings flourish best on
deep-burned sites free of grasses and other rivals.
Still other plants depend on fire in different ways. Longleaf pine, in its young "grassy" phase, withstands a fire
then grows quickly, now housed in tough bark, immunized against brown spot fungus, and ready to take on the next
flames. Mountain ash, while burned only every few centuries, depends on those devouring conflagrations to prepare
the seedbed for its next generation. Fireweed seed lies in litter and soil until liberated by a deep burn. Such plants are
true pyrophytes -- fire-lovers whose survival depends on the predictable return of flame.
PLANTS ADAPTATIONS TO HERBIVORES
Chemical defenses: The plant world's main line of defense consists of a variety of chemical weapons. Very
widespread among plants are a number of chemicals that appear to serve no physiological function for the plant but
rather act as potent insecticides or insect repellents. Among these are alkaloids, quinones, essential oils, glycosides,
calcium oxalate crystals, and silicates
Physical Defenses: Many plants rely on physical defenses to deter herbivores. The stout spines of many
tropical trees and shrubs as well those of many desert shrubs are effective in deterring feeding of large grazing
animals such as deer and antelopes. Spines of cacti and other succulents help them to protect their valuable water
reserves from consumption by animals. In areas where cacti such as prickly pear are common ranchers sometimes
burn the spines off the plants so that their cattle will feed on them. The finer hairs found on the leaves and shrubs of
many plants often help to deter feeding by insects. Plant breeders frequently select for hairy plants when trying to
develop crop varieties that are resistant to insect attack
General Biology Lab
Instructor: José Bava, PhD
Prepared with the online resources available at http://www.ecnca.org/