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Abstract Detail



Teaching Section

Rice, Stanley [1].

Estimating Transpiration from Trees: A General Botany Activity.

Transpiration is not only important for tree survival but confers energy savings on houses in the shade. Groups of students are assigned either a post oak or a black oak tree, which they study through the semester. First, in winter, they use principles of triangulation to measure upper and lower canopy heights, and calculate canopy surface area, from which they calculate the (always surprisingly large) number of twigs. Second, in spring, they determine transpiration rates for individual twigs. Third, they calculate whole tree transpiration, and convert mass of transpired water into kilowatt-hours and into cost savings, from only a portion of which a house could actually benefit. They also compare transpiration rates of the slow-growing post oak with the fast-growing black oak. This semester-long botany exercise provides practice with math and draws attention to the importance of trees in energy conservation.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1405 N. FOURTH, BOX 4027, DURANT, OK, 74701-0609, USA

Keywords:
transpiration
 Quercus
energy conservation
botany education.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 2
Location: Marlborough A/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: 2009
Abstract ID:83
Candidate for Awards:None


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