Trees and Data Exploration

Year 6 Statistics — New Zealand Native Trees

Name:

Date:

🌿 Success Criteria

By the end of this worksheet, I can:

Define and give examples of survey, primary data, and secondary data

Explain the difference between categorical and numerical data

Classify data about New Zealand trees into the correct data types

Interpret simple data about native tree populations and deforestation

📖 Part 1: Key Vocabulary

Match each term to its correct definition by writing the correct letter in the blank.

A. Survey

B. Primary Data

C. Secondary Data

D. Categorical Data

E. Numerical Data

____ Data that is measured or counted using numbers (e.g. height of a kauri tree in metres)

____ A method of collecting information by asking questions

____ Data sorted into groups or categories (e.g. type of native tree)

____ Data collected by someone else that you find and use (e.g. from a website or book)

____ Data you collect yourself through observation or asking questions

🌲 Part 2: Classifying Data About NZ Trees

A class is researching New Zealand native trees and deforestation. Look at each piece of data they collected and classify it.

1. Rāhui counted 12 tōtara trees in Pureora Forest Park.

Is this primary or secondary data? _____________

Is this categorical or numerical data? _____________

2. Aroha found on the DOC website that New Zealand has lost over 80% of its original native forest.

Is this primary or secondary data? _____________

Is this categorical or numerical data? _____________

3. The class did a survey asking: "What is your favourite New Zealand native tree?" The results were: kauri, pōhutukawa, tōtara, rimu, and kāhikatea.

Is this primary or secondary data? _____________

Is this categorical or numerical data? _____________

4. Write ONE example of your own primary numerical data you could collect about trees in your school or local area.

5. The table below shows native tree numbers recorded in a survey of a local reserve. Circle the correct answer for each question.

Native Tree Survey Results:
Pōhutukawa: 34 trees | Kauri: 8 trees | Rimu: 21 trees | Kāhikatea: 15 trees | Tōtara: 11 trees

a) Which tree was most common in the survey?

Kauri

Pōhutukawa

Rimu

Tōtara

b) How many trees were recorded in total? _____________

c) Which type of data is the name of the tree (e.g. kauri, rimu)?

Numerical data

Categorical data

6. Deforestation means clearing forests, often for farming or building. Look at this fact:

"In 1840, New Zealand had about 14.4 million hectares of native forest. By 1990, this had dropped to 6.4 million hectares."

How many hectares of native forest were lost between 1840 and 1990? Show your working.

7. Would you use a survey or secondary data to find out how many native trees your classmates have seen in the wild? Explain your choice.

⭐ Extension Activity

Challenge yourself if you've finished the tasks above!

8. Design your own survey question about New Zealand native trees or deforestation that would collect numerical data. Write your question, then explain how you would collect and record the data.

My survey question:

How I would collect and record the data:

9. A conservation group wants to know which native trees are most at risk in your region. Would you use primary data, secondary data, or both? Explain your thinking and give an example of each type you might use.