Field Study
Objective - In this project, we chose a location in O'Hair park to study. Each location was to be approximately 20x20 feet. We were to catalog the changes that our environment went through in 8 weeks. I chose a location of a creek running through the forest.
Predictions
Here are my general predictions:
- I predict that the creek will become smaller. The summertime heat and lack of rain will cause the creek to shrink.
- I predict that the nearby soil will become drier.
- I predict that the grasses in my territory will become brown.
My Biome
Above: Day 1 at my location Below: Map/drawing of my area
|
Site Description
My biome is a mixed evergreen forest. There is a small creek running through it, which is about 4-5 feet wide in my location. In the rainy season, it swells up to possibly 8-10 feet wide, and is evidenced by the gravely banks in the creekbed. My area is always in the shade, generally dipping under the 75% shade mark. The reason for the shade is that the creek is in the middle of a bay tree grove. Most of the sunlight is blocked by the high canopies of the bays. There is a diverse fauna population here. I've seen reptiles, fish, bugs, small mammals, and traces of other large mammals, as evidenced by scat in my area.
The creek flows from left to right. The only plants on the sandy side of the creek are these pink wildflowers. On the opposite side of the creek, plant life flourishes being a mixture of vines, shrubs, and trees. Most of the vegetation is blackberry vines, but there are some honeysuckle plants and a single bay tree. May 2 Morning - cool with fog overhead. No sign of any animals except for minnows sheepishly swimming in the creek. Shade percentage is about 95%. Evening - lots of bugs out. I heard an owl hoot. It is a comfortable temperature with shade covering <85% of my area. May 12 Midday - bit of a breeze out here today. Saw a deer nearby my site as I first arrived. Collected a sample of a plant growing on the banks of the creek. Saw a crawdad in the creek as well. Shade percentage is about 70% |
Above: The creek has a small section where the water moves quicker than the rest. It's pretty much a mini rapids.
|
May 19
Midday - cool with cloud cover. Hear an owl hooting and saw a crayfish in the creek. The plants on the bank of the creek have grown even more. May 26 Midday - sun is out but still my area is mostly shady. Many minnows and a crawdad seen, and the stinging nettles have grown even more. One of the plants is taller than me. June 3 Midday - the sun is out and shining. Big shock as the grove of stinging nettles was trambled on and flatted (pic below, Week 6). All plants are damaged and most likely dead. |
How My Biome Has Changed
Flora and Fauna
Flora
|
Fauna
|
Focus Questions
April 29 - May 3
What type of California biome is your area and why? My area is a mixed evergreen forest because it has contains evergreens, like the California Bay Tree. The climate is mild, with both mild winters and summers. The canopies of the trees creates a lot of shade. What type of relationships do you see between organisms in your area? Name each relationship. Competition/Parasitism - A blackberry vine is growing up a bay tree in order for it to get sunlight. (photo to the the right) Describe a food chain in your area? Plants->bugs->minnows->raccoons blackberry->mice->owl |
May 6 - May 13
What is man's main impact in your area?
The main impact of humans in my area is trash. I've only seen one piece in two visits to my site, so it is not a glaring concern. Artificial noise could also effect my area because it is close behind the horse stables.
What are the limiting factors in your area for plants? For animals?
A limiting factor of plants would be the soil not being nutritious enough for plants to grow. We found out that the soil in the dry riverbed is too acidic for any plants to grow. A limiting factor for animals could be the sand like riverbed soil. Usually, undercuts in the river can provide for prime burrowing ground for small mammals. But do the the crumbly nature of this soil, it is near impossible for animals to dig themselves a burrow.
What is man's main impact in your area?
The main impact of humans in my area is trash. I've only seen one piece in two visits to my site, so it is not a glaring concern. Artificial noise could also effect my area because it is close behind the horse stables.
What are the limiting factors in your area for plants? For animals?
A limiting factor of plants would be the soil not being nutritious enough for plants to grow. We found out that the soil in the dry riverbed is too acidic for any plants to grow. A limiting factor for animals could be the sand like riverbed soil. Usually, undercuts in the river can provide for prime burrowing ground for small mammals. But do the the crumbly nature of this soil, it is near impossible for animals to dig themselves a burrow.
May 14 - May 18
Why are bacteria important for plants in your area? For animals? For soil? (What role do they play?)
Bacteria plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle. It helps with denitrification and nitrification in the soil. This is important to plants because nitrogen is a necessity for plant growth. In animals, bacteria helps digest and get rid of excess food in the stomach. Bacteria also helps the soil by decomposing matter and transferring its nutrients into the ground.
In general, where are fungi found? What is their role in the world?
Fungi are found everywhere. The are found in Antarctica, soil, and even inside you. They like to grow in slightly acidic places. Fungi recycle matter back into the soil, are food for humans and animals, used to make medicines, and have several other uses.
Do you have any in your area? Where? Why? If no, why not?
I have no visible traces fungi in my area. I think that it is because my soil, which is actually pretty much sand, is not fit for fungal growth. My soil is actually very acidic, so there are probably microscopic trace amounts of fungi that live in the soil.
Why are bacteria important for plants in your area? For animals? For soil? (What role do they play?)
Bacteria plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle. It helps with denitrification and nitrification in the soil. This is important to plants because nitrogen is a necessity for plant growth. In animals, bacteria helps digest and get rid of excess food in the stomach. Bacteria also helps the soil by decomposing matter and transferring its nutrients into the ground.
In general, where are fungi found? What is their role in the world?
Fungi are found everywhere. The are found in Antarctica, soil, and even inside you. They like to grow in slightly acidic places. Fungi recycle matter back into the soil, are food for humans and animals, used to make medicines, and have several other uses.
Do you have any in your area? Where? Why? If no, why not?
I have no visible traces fungi in my area. I think that it is because my soil, which is actually pretty much sand, is not fit for fungal growth. My soil is actually very acidic, so there are probably microscopic trace amounts of fungi that live in the soil.
May 19 - May 25
Research the invertebrates in your area.
In my area, I found crayfish, and mosquitos and water skeeters. The crayfish was a signal crayfish, and it can grow up to 18 cm long. They are voracious carnivores and are mostly nocturnal. Mosquitos are long thin bugs that fly and live for about a year. Water skeeters use their 4 legs to stay on the water by the use of the surface area principle.
What is their role?
Crayfish are good food sources for large fish, small mammals, and birds of prey. Mosquitoes are also good food sources for birds, spiders, and small mammals. Water skeeters eat bugs that have fallen into the water and in turn are eaten by fish and birds.
Where are they found and why?
Crayfish are found in fresh water streams, rivers, and lakes. They like more acidic water, and it shows because the soil in my area is very acidic. Mosquitoes live near water because their larvae need water to survive and grow. Water skeeters get their food by consuming bugs that have fallen on the surface of the water.
Research the invertebrates in your area.
In my area, I found crayfish, and mosquitos and water skeeters. The crayfish was a signal crayfish, and it can grow up to 18 cm long. They are voracious carnivores and are mostly nocturnal. Mosquitos are long thin bugs that fly and live for about a year. Water skeeters use their 4 legs to stay on the water by the use of the surface area principle.
What is their role?
Crayfish are good food sources for large fish, small mammals, and birds of prey. Mosquitoes are also good food sources for birds, spiders, and small mammals. Water skeeters eat bugs that have fallen into the water and in turn are eaten by fish and birds.
Where are they found and why?
Crayfish are found in fresh water streams, rivers, and lakes. They like more acidic water, and it shows because the soil in my area is very acidic. Mosquitoes live near water because their larvae need water to survive and grow. Water skeeters get their food by consuming bugs that have fallen on the surface of the water.
May 26
Identify any bryophytes, seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms, or angiosperms (moncot or dicot) that you have in your area. (At least 5 different plants)
In my area, I have blackberry plants, bay trees, and stinging nettles. The blackberry bushes are dicotic angiosperms. The bay trees are angiosperms and dicots. The stinging nettles are gymnosperms that are monocots.
For each explain why you classified them the way you did.
The blackberry bush is a angiosperm because it dies every autumn. It is a dicot because its flowers have multiple parts. Bay trees are angiosperms because its seeds are surrounded by a membrane. It is a dicot because it has rings. Stinging nettles are angiosperms because they they die every summer. It is a monocot because its roots are not organized, and instead they do whatever they want.
Identify any bryophytes, seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms, or angiosperms (moncot or dicot) that you have in your area. (At least 5 different plants)
In my area, I have blackberry plants, bay trees, and stinging nettles. The blackberry bushes are dicotic angiosperms. The bay trees are angiosperms and dicots. The stinging nettles are gymnosperms that are monocots.
For each explain why you classified them the way you did.
The blackberry bush is a angiosperm because it dies every autumn. It is a dicot because its flowers have multiple parts. Bay trees are angiosperms because its seeds are surrounded by a membrane. It is a dicot because it has rings. Stinging nettles are angiosperms because they they die every summer. It is a monocot because its roots are not organized, and instead they do whatever they want.
June 5
What is the difference between dermal, vascular and ground tissue? How are they arranged in a plant? Dermal, vascular, and ground tissue are plant tissues. The dermis forms the outside layer of the plant and provides protection and keeps the water inside the plant. The vascular is the very middle plant tissue. Its job s to transport water and minerals. The ground tissue is in between the dermal and vascular tissues. Its function is to complete photosynthesis and store energy. |
What are the essential nutrients needed in soil? Why are each important?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Molybdenum, and Copper are all necessary for plants to grow. These nutrients all help the plant perform specific actions like photosynthesis.
Explain different methods of pollination you see in your area. Give at least 3 examples.
In my area, I have angiosperms and gymnosperms. There are blackberry plants and stinging nettles that are angiosperms and oak and bay trees that are gymnosperms. The blackberry plants and the stinging nettles are both dicot.
What are some adaptations the plants in your area have? (At least 3 examples)
The blackberry vines have adapted by climbing up the trunk of the bay trees in order to receive more sunlight. In general, most of my soil is too acidic for vegetation to grow, but a cluster of stinging nettles has taken hold and over the weeks has grown extremely tall.
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Molybdenum, and Copper are all necessary for plants to grow. These nutrients all help the plant perform specific actions like photosynthesis.
Explain different methods of pollination you see in your area. Give at least 3 examples.
In my area, I have angiosperms and gymnosperms. There are blackberry plants and stinging nettles that are angiosperms and oak and bay trees that are gymnosperms. The blackberry plants and the stinging nettles are both dicot.
What are some adaptations the plants in your area have? (At least 3 examples)
The blackberry vines have adapted by climbing up the trunk of the bay trees in order to receive more sunlight. In general, most of my soil is too acidic for vegetation to grow, but a cluster of stinging nettles has taken hold and over the weeks has grown extremely tall.
Analysis
Over the course of six weeks, my biome has undergone a few changes. Number one, the stinging nettle plants grew alot of the course of five weeks. In fact, they grew about 4 feet. I believe that they would still being growing now, possibly up to 7-8 feet tall, if they were not trampled on and killed by some ignorant person. Another biotic change that I saw was the increase in the amount of aquatic life. During the first week, I saw about 20 minnows and no crawdads. But as the weeks progressed, I saw more and more minnows and saw a crawdad every time I was out there. The amount of water skeeters on the creek has lowered considerably since the first week. I would hypothesize that more than 75% of the population of water skeeters have died.
The stinging nettles is a herbal flowering plant. It is called "stinging" because it is covered in small hairs that cause intense pain and skin irritation if touched. The nettles in my area changed significantly because it grew about 4 feet in a six week time period. Nettles need a lot of water, and the creek is located right next to them to help them grow to their full potential. The nettles dominate the vegetation in my area because they are the only plants growing on this side of the creek.
Fathead minnows are great at living where no other fish can live. Crawdads are the scavengers of the creek. Over the six weeks that I documented information on my site, the increase in both of these organisms was the most profound. In week one, I saw no crawdads and only a handful of fish. But as the weeks went on, I saw more and more minnows, and at least one crawdad each week. Both of these organisms were able to thrive because of an abundance of food and a lack of predators.
Water skeeters were numerous on the section of creek that I occupied. They must constantly move to avoid being eaten by fish. They often eat insects that have fallen onto the water surface. As the project went on, I noticed that the numbers of water skeeters was dropping by a ton. During week one, I saw at least 50 of them dancing around on the creek. At the projects end, I only saw around 10 of them. I would guess that they became prey for the growing minnow population. Before the minnows began to eat them up, they were dominant because there are a lot of bugs near the creek. The creek also provided shade and the banks of the creek provided protection for them when they wanted to come on shore.
By doing this field study, I have come to appreciate the little things. When the stinging nettles got knocked down by somebody, that made me angry because I thought it was interesting and astounding to see how quickly they had grown in such a short time. It was fun to watch a small section of land change so much in six weeks. Little things, like the lack of water skeeters, lack of aquatic plants in the rapid section of the creek, and the growing population of minnows, would be things that I would have never noticed if I had not done this project. It's odd for me to think that this secluded section of the creek is only a five minute walk from civilization. It shows that we need to take care of our stuff in order for there to be places like this right in your backyard.
The stinging nettles is a herbal flowering plant. It is called "stinging" because it is covered in small hairs that cause intense pain and skin irritation if touched. The nettles in my area changed significantly because it grew about 4 feet in a six week time period. Nettles need a lot of water, and the creek is located right next to them to help them grow to their full potential. The nettles dominate the vegetation in my area because they are the only plants growing on this side of the creek.
Fathead minnows are great at living where no other fish can live. Crawdads are the scavengers of the creek. Over the six weeks that I documented information on my site, the increase in both of these organisms was the most profound. In week one, I saw no crawdads and only a handful of fish. But as the weeks went on, I saw more and more minnows, and at least one crawdad each week. Both of these organisms were able to thrive because of an abundance of food and a lack of predators.
Water skeeters were numerous on the section of creek that I occupied. They must constantly move to avoid being eaten by fish. They often eat insects that have fallen onto the water surface. As the project went on, I noticed that the numbers of water skeeters was dropping by a ton. During week one, I saw at least 50 of them dancing around on the creek. At the projects end, I only saw around 10 of them. I would guess that they became prey for the growing minnow population. Before the minnows began to eat them up, they were dominant because there are a lot of bugs near the creek. The creek also provided shade and the banks of the creek provided protection for them when they wanted to come on shore.
By doing this field study, I have come to appreciate the little things. When the stinging nettles got knocked down by somebody, that made me angry because I thought it was interesting and astounding to see how quickly they had grown in such a short time. It was fun to watch a small section of land change so much in six weeks. Little things, like the lack of water skeeters, lack of aquatic plants in the rapid section of the creek, and the growing population of minnows, would be things that I would have never noticed if I had not done this project. It's odd for me to think that this secluded section of the creek is only a five minute walk from civilization. It shows that we need to take care of our stuff in order for there to be places like this right in your backyard.
Conclusion/Opinion
Conclusion
The objective of this project was for the students to look at the surrounding nature and and observe it and gather data. I met this objective. Each time I visited my site, I would also look into the creek and check the numbers of minnows and crawdads. I also made sure I wrote down how much the nettles had grown in the past week, and keep the data in a graph. I grew to enjoy walking out to my sight to study it because it was work that was not really work. My predictions were all off. The creek did fluctuate in width, but in the end, its size was the same. The soil did not dry up as I thought it would, and I think that was due to the constant source of water coming from the creek. This, in turn, allowed the plants to stay green, proving my last prediction wrong. I am quite surprised that none of these predictions held true because we are currently in a serious drought.
Opinion
Personally, I liked this project. I have always liked the outdoors and appreciated it, and this project helped me gain a deeper understanding of causes and effects in nature. I liked that we were allowed to choose our own spots because it made us more inclined to actually do the work and figure out the data. I wish that there was a formal data table that the entire class had to use; then we could compare our sites. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this project and the freedom that it gave us to do our work.
The objective of this project was for the students to look at the surrounding nature and and observe it and gather data. I met this objective. Each time I visited my site, I would also look into the creek and check the numbers of minnows and crawdads. I also made sure I wrote down how much the nettles had grown in the past week, and keep the data in a graph. I grew to enjoy walking out to my sight to study it because it was work that was not really work. My predictions were all off. The creek did fluctuate in width, but in the end, its size was the same. The soil did not dry up as I thought it would, and I think that was due to the constant source of water coming from the creek. This, in turn, allowed the plants to stay green, proving my last prediction wrong. I am quite surprised that none of these predictions held true because we are currently in a serious drought.
Opinion
Personally, I liked this project. I have always liked the outdoors and appreciated it, and this project helped me gain a deeper understanding of causes and effects in nature. I liked that we were allowed to choose our own spots because it made us more inclined to actually do the work and figure out the data. I wish that there was a formal data table that the entire class had to use; then we could compare our sites. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this project and the freedom that it gave us to do our work.
Graph
Below is a graph portraying the number of water skeeters to the number of minnows during my six week evaluation of their populations. It is biotic/biotic graph.
The graph shows the correlation between the number of water skeeters and minnows. As the population of the minnows goes up, the population of the water skeeters goes down. I believe that the relationship between the two was one of consumption - the minnows were eating all of the water skeeters.