Nature Notebook. The Hydrologic Cycle. Come back and visit! PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LAND CONSERVANCY. Name: White Point Nature Preserve

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1 PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LAND CONSERVANCY Come back and visit! White Point Nature Preserve White Point Nature Preserve is located at 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San Pedro, CA on the north side of Paseo del Mar off of Western Avenue. The Preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Center is open from 10am - 4pm on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. George F Canyon Nature Preserve George F Canyon is located at Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates CA at the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive North. The Nature Center is open Friday 1pm - 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4pm, other days by appointment. For more information contact: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (310) This program is made possible by: Nature Notebook The Hydrologic Cycle Name:

2 Field Observation Checklist Plants Bush Sunflower Dudleya Black Sage CA Poppy Prickly Pear Cactus Purple Sage Bladderpod Laurel Sumac CA Buckwheat Coyote Bush Lemonade Berry Ahyleaf Buckwheat Willow Toyon Mulefat Elderberry CA Sagebrush Saltbush Invertebrates Dragonfly Ant Lady bug Wasp Butterfly Snail Bumble bee Honey bee Pill bug Fly Harlequin bug Stink beetle Birds Allen s hummingbird American kestrel Black phoebe Blue grosbeak Brown pelican Bushtit Cactus wren California gnatcatcher California towhee Common raven Cooper s hawk American crow House finch Lesser goldfinch Mourning dove Northern mockingbird Red-tailed hawk Say s phoebe Song sparrow White-throated swift Mammals Cottontail rabbit California ground squirrel Tree squirrel Gopher Raccoon Opossum Skunk mouse Other

3 Vocabulary adaptation A structure or behavior that increases a plant of animal s chances of surviving in its habitat. climate The long-term pattern of weather in a particular area. condensation When matter changes from gas to liquid drought- A long period with very little to no rainfall. evaporation When matter changes from liquid to gas. Welcome to White Point! Today we will take a closer look at the role that the hydrologic cycle plays on the preserve. We will search for water in the sky and in the ground and we will consider how the availability of water affects the plants and animals that live here. habitat- The natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism. hydrologic cycle The water cycle scientific illustration Using art to show scientific observations and concepts. soil A thin layer of rock and mineral particles mixed with organic matter that covers the earths surface soil moisture The amount of water contained in the soil soil moisture meter An instrument that measures the amount of water in the soil. stewardship responsibly protecting and caring for the environment Environmental Stewardship Agreement Today as a steward of the White Point Nature Preserve I agree to: 1. Walk at all times 2. Stay on the trail 3. Observe gently because I know that these 3 steps will help me to stay safe and protect the natural world as I explore. Student Signature

4 Our Local Habitat Coastal Sage Scrub Hydrologic Cycle: Reflections Today you learned about the hydrologic cylce on the nature preserve. Reflect on what you have learned to answer the following questions How could a rise in Earth s temperature effect the hydrologic cycle and the ability of plants to find moisture in the soil? ` Climate plays an important role in determining what types of plants and animals can live in an area. Here on the Palos Verdes Peninsula rain falls during the winter and spring and both summer and fall are very dry. Because the peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean, the weather rarely gets very cold or very hot. Because of this unique climate the Palos Verdes Peninsula is home to one of the rarest natural habitats in the world, known as Coastal Sage Scrub. The plants that live here are able to survive the long dry summer months without rain. There is a limited amount of fresh water available here in California. What is one thing that you can do to conserve water?

5 Surviving Drought: Plant Adaptations Scavenger Hunt Closely observe one of the plants that you find during your scavenger hunt. Use the identification chart to find out the name of the plant Hydrologic Cycle Mapping Water Complete a scientific illustration of the plant and label the adaptations that help it survive through times of drought. Plant Name Hydrologic Cycle Drawing I) Draw the hydrologic cycle on the picture of the preserve above. Use all six symbols provided in the key and connect them with arrows to show how water flows through the preserve. Evaporation KEY Stream II) Label the Pacific Ocean. Clouds Ocean Questions Rain Plant 1) What types of clouds are in the sky today? 2) Most of the water on planet earth is found in the. 3) Where do most plants find water?

6 Soil Moisture Lab Part I: Searching for Water in the Ground During this experiment you will use a Soil Moisture Meter to measure the amount of moisture in the soil at different locations. Number the locations you test on the map below and record your results in the table. Soil Moisture Lab Part II: Develop your own Experiment 1) Ask a Question What effect does have on soil moisture? SOIL MOISTURE METER Directions 1) Press the screwdriver into the ground to make a hole that is 2 inches deep. 2) Gently put the probe of the hydrometer into the hole. 3) Read the dial and record the soil moisture. Location Soil Moisture Level 2) Make a prediction I predict that there will be greater soil moisture where it is (A) compared to where it is (B) Not. 3) Develop an experiment to test your prediction I will test this prediction by: 4) Collect information A) B) Not Soil Moisture Level 5) Share your results According to my observations there was greater / less / the same soil moisture where it was (A) compared RESULTS The dampest soil on the preserve was found at location/s to where it was (B) Not. 6) Do these results support your prediction? Yes No