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Tree Ecosystem Mini Study

Seasons· Summer· Trees

9 Feb
Koala

In order to be good stewards of our space in the world, we need to understand how living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) organisms interact with one another. This type of study is known as ecology. It helps us to understand how a population of organisms live with one another within their environment.

Golden Orb Spider

Trees provide food and shelter to many living things and summer is the best time to observe the ecosystem of a tree.

Adopt a tree for the year and watch as the seasonal cycles change and animals, birds, and insects come and go. Deciduous trees are wonderful to watch through the seasons, but if you’re in the tropics, choose an evergreen and watch for seasonal changes in its ecosystem.

Table of Contents

    • Mini Tree Ecosystem Nature Study
      • Indoor Prep Work:
      • Field Work:
      • Field Journaling
      • Activities
    • WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TREES?
  • YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:
    • HONEYBEE MINI STUDY
    • EXTRAORDINARY BEES
    • BLUE-TONGUE LIZARD MINI STUDY

Mini Tree Ecosystem Nature Study

Indoor Prep Work:

Read or listen to Tree by Patricia Hegarty.

Field Work:

Choose a tree to adopt for the year. It may be a deciduous or evergreen tree. The idea is to observe the ecology of the tree through the seasons. You’ll examine the tree by asking some questions:

  • What is laying at the base of the tree?
  • What could be hiding or living under the fallen leaves and bark?
  • Are there any clues of visiting animals on the trunk?
  • Is there any fungus growing on the bark or beneath the tree?
  • Do you see any moss, lichen, or liverworts on the tree?
  • Are there hollows in the trunk or beneath the tree? What do you think made them?
  • Search for small animals on or beneath the bark. Why do you think they live there?
  • Are there any mammals living in the tree? Possums or Koalas perhaps?
  • Do you notice a nest? What bird does it belong to? What materials were used to create the nest?
  • How many different bird species visit the tree? What part of the tree do they feed on or use most?
  • Do any moths or butterflies visit the tree? Can you see any caterpillars or cocoons?
  • Examine the leaves of the tree. What might be eating them? What may be hiding behind the leaves? Can you find any galls in the leaves?
  • What plants are growing under the tree? Now, look further away from the tree. How is it different from under the tree?
  • Are there any flowers on your tree? What insects or birds are visiting them? What might they be doing?
Eastern Rosella

Field Journaling

Sketch your tree inside your journal. Take note of the shape and the pattern of the bark and leaves. What shade of green are the leaves? Now add your observations to the sketch. You can either write notes or draw what you saw living or visiting the tree. John Muir Laws, encourages naturalists to use these three prompts for deeper nature observation: I notice…, I wonder…, and It reminds me of…Try it!

Activities

  • Take a photograph of the adopted tree each season and create a collage with your images. What changes do you notice in each image?
  • Use The Ecology of a Tree notebook page to show your observations.
  • Make a bark rubbing by using wax crayons.
  • Create a tree poster or chart to present the information you gained through your observations.
  • Take some leaves with galls on them. Place them in a jar with a gauze cover and see what hatches out of them.

So tell me! What did you find living in your tree and what changes did you observe through the seasons? Find me on Facebook or Instagram.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TREES?

Dig deeper with the Australian Nature Study Guide | Volume 1 | Summer/Autumn.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:

HONEYBEE MINI STUDY

EXTRAORDINARY BEES

BLUE-TONGUE LIZARD MINI STUDY

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About Marie

Come, walk with me! We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We'll explore the outdoors together, side by side and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We'll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it's meant to be. This is the purpose for the Australian Nature Study Guides for the Aussie homeschool family seeking to explore the outdoors and are not sure where to start. Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children are adults. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/
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