interpreting wildlife habitat from aerial photographs (activity ii) a. aerial photo evaluation - 20...
TRANSCRIPT
Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Aerial Photographs
(Activity II)
A. Aerial Photo Evaluation - 20 Points
B. Oral Reasoning - 10 Points
How the event works What the kids should expect
• Photos—Black and white aerial photos—Number varies—Usually 4 or 8 inches = 1 mile
• Name of species(s) will appear under photo• Photo will have from 1-4 (usually 4) numbered
circles :—either on photo—on acetate on photo—cut out from a solid paper overlay
Judging the Photos Object
• To rank the 4 areas circled from most suitable (=in first position) to least suitable (=in 4th position) FOR THE WILDLIFE SPECIES NAMED at the bottom of the photo
• View example score sheet—pick number pattern that goes with chosen
“circle” ranking for particular species
Judging the photos (cont.)
Hormel System• commonly used in livestock events• judges will score circled areas prior to
contest and enter rankings into computer -- assign cut scores between areas (low scores for similar areas, high for different areas)
• each possible ranking pattern found on the score sheet will be assigned a point value
Questions?
Moving in and out
Tips for Evaluating Well
Look at Photo in correct position•dates usually in top left hand
corner, OR•shadows should fall toward viewer•Do NOT consider ANYTHING
outside of the circle
Tips (cont.) What/How to study
•Practice Practice Practice—Use BLACK AND WHITE
•Order Aerial Photos (or have them donated)—NRCS, USDA, USGS, www.quad.com or
www.terraserv.com, www.earthexplorer.com—Local wildlife agency—Nearest university
– wildlife specialist
Tips (cont.)
Practicing•Ask for help from local
biologists/foresters—give them manual first—learn what each successional stage looks
like at DIFFERENT scales—learn what H20 looks like, buildings,
parking lots, riparian areas, fences, center-pivot irrigation systems, hayfields and row crops
Tips (cont.)
Use photos from your region, but try to obtain a variety of habitats• try practicing with a variety of
copy qualities and scales•Before national contest, order one
from that region if one isn’t sent to you
Tips (cont.)
Focus on Species Requirements•Best area will have food, water, shelter,
space interspersed—study species descriptions and memorize
requirements beforehand (make it fun)–decide which of the requirements is
“MOST” required (what’s the limiting factor?)
–Use that as a way to distinguish one area from another
Tips (cont.)
DON’T FORGET THE MANUAL!•It’s easy to let experience dictate
decisions, but not everyone’s experience is the same.
•Use the manual to guide you.
Tips (cont.)
Interspersion Index•If a species requires a good bit of
interspersion, use index•Higher the number, higher the
interspersion
Materials
Bring Pencil No magnifying glasses allowed No manual allowed Score sheet supplied Scratch paper supplied
Part B. Oral Reasoning
Kids enter study room after judging photos•make notes for oral justification•calm themselves before
presentation
Oral Reasoning (cont.)
Judges look for:•Logic•Presentation•Knowledge of species•Use of wildlife terms/concepts•Poise and Appearance
Oral Reasoning (cont.)
Usually judged on 2 species•Two judges score presentations
and the scores are averaged•Possible maximum: 10 points (2
for each category mentioned in previous slide)
A Winning Argument
An Example
1 2
An Example
3 4
Feature Finder
1. Stage 3 & 4 2. Wetland 3. Stage 5 & 6 4. Stage 1 5. Stage 2 & 3
6. Pond 7. Shadow 8. Greenhouse 9. Stream 10. Vehicle