Your task is to prepare a geographic report of your study area. The focus of your paper is not a person, an event, or an issue. The principal character is a place. You are telling the story of a particular place emphasizing its natural features. This paper should be drawn from your observations and informed by appropriate references. Use photos to demonstrate the topics you are discussing.
If you are doing virtual field work, please pick a specific site. Don’t choose “Crystal Cove State Park” as it ranges from tide pools and coastal features to coastal sage scrub to chaparral. Pick a specific site within a larger park (Pelican Point picnic area for example). Since you will be downloading photos of the area, make sure to document the source for each photo.
I have chosen Crystal Cove State Park (crystalcovestatepark.com) as the geographic area, however, as you have read in the above paragraph, pick a specific site of your own choice.
1. Introduction: What is the name of the site and where is it located? What dates did you do your field research? 1 ¶
2. Setting: Before entering the area, take a look around. Describe the landscape in which this site is situated. 1 ¶
3. Weather: Describe the weather on the day of your visit. Then consult a weather website such as www.wunderground.com to place this weather in the context of the conditions prevailing that day. How does it tie in with the general weather patterns for the region and for the season? 1-2 ¶
4. Climate: What is the climate (including its characteristics, not just the name) of the region where the study site is situated? Is there a microclimate at the study site? Are their local conditions that differ from the general characteristics for this climate type? 1-2 ¶
5. Plant Communities: Identify the principal plant communities to be found at your site. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of each community and the dominate plant species of each. How do these plants reflect the climate of the region? Are there exotic (non-native) plant species? 2-3 ¶
6. Wildlife: What wildlife still resides in your study area? Are there any endangered species present? What has been their impact on the natural ecology of the site? How has this ecosystem changed from what it was 100 years ago? 1 ¶
7. Terrain: Describe the specific terrain of your site. What landforms are present? What tectonic and gradational processes appear to be responsible for shaping the landscape? What material evidence can you find for these processes? 1-2¶
Local History: There is really no natural environment left in southern California that has not been touched somehow by human activity. What significant cultural and/or historic artifacts are present? A brief inquiry into the history of the locality will help you understand how this site came to be as you see it today. Myths and legends attached to a particular place can also
