Ecological Wonder

field questions for finding meaningful clues to deepen understanding

In the process of getting to know (our) nature, here’s some questions that can aid in making meaningful observations of how each fits into its ecosystem, and how it survives over time:

Noticing Plants:

Notice the environment the plant is in:

• What other plants are near? How many of the same species? How many other species? Can you count/estimate? How close are they together?

• Is the plant in the sun or shade? What’s causing the shade?

• Is there any wind or breeze? If so, how is the plant affected?

• Is there mulch, bare soil, grasses, sand, or ground cover?

• Is the soil moist or dry?

• Is the plant near any body of water? If so, how close is it?

• Are there any animals or insects nearby? Are they interacting with the plant? If so, how?

Notice the condition of the plant:

• Are there signs of injuries to the plant (cuts, bites marks, tears, breaks, holes, etc.)?

• Are there signs of any illness or aging of the plant (withering, yellowing, dark or white spots or lines, browning, rotting)?

  • How bright and how tender are the leaves?

  • How tall or full is the plant compared to others?

• Does the plant have any protective elements such as thorns, spines, prickly hairs, sharp edges, hairy leaves, thick/hard skin/bark, a strong scent?

• How tall is it compared to other plants? Is it casting shade?

If it’s a flower, notice:

• Does the flower have a fragrance? What’s it like?

• How large/small are the flowers? Are many flowers clustered together or do they stand alone?

• Are there noticeable seeds? If so, describe them.

• Is there noticeable pollen? If so, describe it.

Noticing Animals:

Notice the environment that the animal is in:

• How close is the animal to a body of water?

• What kind of plants are around it?

• Are there other animals around? If so:

  • About how many of the same species?

    • How are they interacting?

    • Are there any babies?

  • What other species are around? How many? How are they interacting?

• How easy is it to spot the animal in the environment?

  • Do their colors blend in or contrast their location?

  • Are they visible in plain sight or are they more hidden?

• Is there poop? If so, notice: Color, Shape, Size, Contents, Texture, Smell, Location

Notice the condition of the animal:

• Does the animal have any noticeable injuries or illness?

Notice the behavior of the animal:

• Is the animal eating something? What is it?

• Is the animal drinking water? Where?

• If it’s on the move: What direction is it moving? At what speed? Is it affecting the ground beneath it? If so, how?

• If the animal is resting:

  • Where is it resting? Describe the location and conditions

  • How is their body affecting the ground beneath them?

  • Are there any signs of it being a regular resting place?

  • Are there any signs of intentional habitat building?

• Is the animal making sounds? If so, describe the sounds.

Noticing Weather

• Where is the sun in the sky? How warm is it?

• What direction is the wind coming from? How strong is it?

• What’s the temperature?

• Are there clouds in the sky? How dense, fluffy or transparent are they? How dark are they? How much blue is also in the sky?

• How humid is the air? Is it raining/snowing? If so, what’s it like?

Noticing Soil

• What color is it? Grey? Reddish? Brown? Blackish?

• What texture?: Coarse? Dense? Fluffy? Dusty? Compact? Loose?

• How moist is it?

• What hasn’t decomposed yet? (sticks, leaves, feathers, rocks)?

• What does it smell like? Earthy? Fermented? Rotten?

• Is it flat or on a slope? How steep? Closer to the top/bottom of the hill/mountain?

• Learn More about The Nature-Nerd Nuts and Bolts of Soil

Noticing Water

• What color is the water? How clear is the water?

• Are there any noticeable odors?

• What plants and/or animals can you see in and around?

For still bodies of water (lakes, ponds, big puddles):

• Are there any ripples or currents that you can see on the surface? How big? What direction are they moving?

• Where is the water coming from? Draining into?

For running bodies of water (creeks, rivers, drains, gutters)

• How narrow/wide is it? How deep/shallow is it?

• Are there any obstacles (such as rocks or logs)

• How steep is the slope that it’s running on? How fast is it running? How much white water is there?

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