Research /Project Results:

Lower Sonoran Desert Biome

School: Oak Tree Elementary

Class: Grade 6

    An integral part of the " Footprints in the Desert" is the gathering of real data at field sites.  Throughout the fall of 2000, our sixth grade classes visited both constructed and undisturbed sites located in a variety of life zones.  These field studies correlated with classroom research of world biomes.  They allowed the students to apply textbook and Internet research to hands - on experiences.  When the students returned to the classroom, they then organized and analyzed the data.  One important step was quantifying the data in order to determine the dominant species of each life zone.  They were then able to "ground proof" the information presented in the texts and websites.  The following are the write up and the field study data by the students.

      Student Project Methodology

  Oak Tree’s sixth graders in Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Guerrero’s classed studied the lower Sonoran Desert.  They studied plants and animals.  They identified them by looking up the plants and animals in field guides.  The students also took soil samples, the temperature of the air and soil and identified the clouds.  The information was recorded on field study protocols.  The class also took pictures of plants and animals using a digital camera. 

Abiotic Site Description

Type of Ecosystem: Sonoran Desert 

   Usery Pass was the place where Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Guerrero’s classes did their study of the desert biome.  They found that the latitude was 33.5352° N and the longitude was                111.5945° W.  The description of the site was an undisturbed desert area near a road.  The relative location is south of the Bush Highway and west of Usery Pass Road.  The temperature was 84 F°. 

Latitude: 33.5352 degrees north

   Longitude: 111.5945 degrees west

                                                        Relative Light  =  full sun

                                                        Relative Wind  =  still air