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Open-Ended Inquiry •Real-World Lab

Chapter 4 Lab Abiotic Factors and Plant Selection

Problem

How can you decide which plants will thrive in a garden?

Introduction

The first humans arrived in New Zealand about 1000 years ago. They crossed the Pacific Ocean from Polynesia in large canoes. The climate in Polynesia is tropical, with abundant rainfall and warm temperatures. New Zealand has a more temperate climate. The days and nights tend to be cooler, and there is much less rainfall.

The immigrants brought crops with them, such as yams, taro, and gourds, that they wanted to grow in their new home. They looked for regions in New Zealand where the soil conditions and other abiotic factors were similar to those in their former home. Sometimes the farmers had to adjust the soil to make it easier for the plants to thrive.

Modern gardeners deal with some of the same issues. They need to find a location where the conditions are right for the plants they want to grow, or they need to select plants that will grow successfully in the existing conditions.

In this lab, you will collect data about abiotic factors in your region. Then, you will plan a small garden and select plants that can grow successfully in that garden.

Skills Focus

Classify, Analyze Data, Use Models

Materials

• plant hardiness zone map

• plant catalogs

• graph paper

• tape measure or metersticks

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Pre-Lab Questions

1.PredictHow will knowing the plant hardiness zone for your area help you plan a garden?

2.Relate Cause and EffectWhat is the relationship between the last frost and the length of the growing season?

3.InferA plant species grows well in one location in a small garden but does not grow as well in another location. Suggest one possible reason for this difference.

Procedure

Part A:Investigate Your Area

Before you can decide which plants are suitable for your garden, you need to research several abiotic factors for your area. Record the data you collect in the data table on the next page.

1.Use a plant hardiness zone map to identify your area’s plant hardiness zone. In the lower 48 states of the United States, there are 8 hardiness zones, numbered 3 through 10. Some parts of Alaska are in Zones 1 and 2. Most of Hawaii is in Zone 11.

2.Find your region’s average lowest temperature. This data will be presented as a temperature range. From this information, you can infer whether the soil in your region is likely to freeze in winter and how quickly frozen soil will thaw in the spring.

3.Identify the time of year when your area will typically have its last frost. From this information, you can tell when it is safe to plant seeds or seedlings and you can estimate the length of your growing season.

4.Use an almanac or an online resource to find the average annual rainfall for your area.

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Data Table: Local Abiotic Factors
Plant Hardiness Zone
Lowest Average Temperature
Last Frost
Average Annual Rainfall

Part B:Investigate Your Garden Site

Within a hardiness zone, abiotic factors will vary from community to community. They will also vary at different locations within a community. When you select plants for a garden, you have to consider local conditions as well as regional factors. Your teacher may select a site that you can use to plan a garden. Or your teacher may ask you to suggest some possible sites.

5. Once you have agreed on a site, members of your group need to visit the site. Ideally, you should visit the site at different times of day to make observations. Here are some issues to consider. Will any parts of the site be in shade for most of the day? Is the site flat or sloped? Is the site exposed to wind, or is it sheltered from the wind? Record your observations in the space below.

Observations:

6. As a group, use a sheet of graph paper to make a scale drawing of your site. Note the location of large objects, such as trees or fences. Record where north is in relation to your site. You will be adding information to the drawing in Part C. If you will be working as individuals on Part C, make a copy of the drawing for each team member.

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Part C:Plan Your Garden

For Part C, your teacher may ask you to work as a team or as individuals.

7. Decide what type of garden you want to plan—a vegetable garden or a flower garden. Then browse through plant catalogs, looking for plants that can thrive at your site.

8. List the plants you choose below. Include relevant information about each plant, such as whether it needs direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, or shade. For vegetables, include the number of days from when seeds or seedlings are planted until the vegetable can be picked.

9. Update your scale drawing of the garden site to show where each species would be planted. Use different colors or symbols to represent each species and include a key.

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Analyze and Conclude

1. InferWhat abiotic factor was used to classify regions into plant hardiness zones? Why do you think this factor was chosen?

2. Relate Cause and EffectIn general, what is the relationship between the distance of a region from the equator and its plant hardiness zone?

3. EvaluateWhich of the local factors that you identified in Part B had the greatest effect on which plants you chose, and why?

4. Control VariablesHow do people who live in dry regions grow plants that typically thrive in wetter regions? How do people who live in temperate regions grow plants that typically thrive in tropical regions?

5. InferWhy would someone living in Zone 3 or Zone 4 decide to plant seedlings rather than seeds?

Extend Your Inquiry

Some people make their living growing crops. Besides abiotic factors, what factors must a farmer consider when he or she chooses to plant a particular crop?

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