User:Deanna Fleary/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

1/22/15 Identification of Protist and Algae within an Ecosystem

Purpose:

Observe and identify free living protozoa present within different niches of a culture. Observations/ identifications are done so as to understand that different niches have unique carrying capacities for each species. If different species are identified in their respective niche, then the food and space provided by the niches are most optimal for each species.

Materials and Methods:

For the lab, the 500 mLs of liquid from the Hay Infusion Culture was used representing an ecosystem. Samples were drawn from two different niches, one located at the top near plant life and the other at the bottom. While under a microscope organisms were identified using the Dichotomous Key by comparing the seen organism against numerous physical characteristics.

Data and Observations:

From first observations the Hay Infusion Culture had a very pungent smell. A translucent film was located on the top and around the edges. Plant life was located throughout the infusion with most of the larger leaves floating near the top. Located at the top was also green spots. The bottom contained the majority of the plant life excluding the large leaves. The water itself was a cloudy yellow.

Table 1: Organism Identification	'
Niche 1: Top Film (near plant life)
Organism	Size	Characteristics	Photo Number
Colpidium	50-70 um	colorless, small body, oval shape, fast movement, cilia,	1
Euglena	35-55 um	green, single cell, cell elongated, one observed locomotor flagella,	2
Niche 2: Bottom
Organism	Size	Characteristics
Arcella	45-100 um	colorless, consistent shape, not spherical, slow movement without apparent motion	4
Chlamydomonas	5-12 um	green, single cell, motile, oval shape, two observed locomotor flagella,	3
Colpidium	50-70 um	colorless, small body, oval shape, fast movement, cilia,	1

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Conclusions and Future Directions:

An organism might be located close to plant matter because of their necessary life function. If they require similar nutrients that plant do or are able to profit from the products of plants then their presence in the plant matter proximity would be understandable.

Euglena are single cell organisms often found in water without a current and an unpleasant smell like the ecosystem within the Hay Infusion Culture. Euglena meets the requirement of being classified as a life form because it 1) is a cell that regulates the material that passes through the membrane 2) performs photosynthesis to acquire and use energy 3) processes genetic information and respond to the environment 4) reproduces through binary fission 5) and is a product of evolution.

If the Hay Infusion Culture were to “grow” for another two months I would expect the life forms present and the abundance of these life forms to change. This would be in response to the change taking place inside Hay Infusion Culture. Because of the further decomposing of the plant life present and the further evaporation of water the available resources present in the culture now would change in two months. Further experiment could be done to observe the change in organism presence in a two month period.

12/15/15 Transect 2 at American University

Purpose: Observe the ecosystem within our transect. Observations are done so as to understand interactions and complexities present in different niches of an ecosystem. The characteristics of our transect will be composed of both biotic and abiotic features, which all when interacting together form an ecosystem.

Materials and Methods: For the lab, a 20 by 20 meter transect is needed which will be the focus of the observations. The general characteristics of the transect, including location and topography were described. An ariel view diagram was collected as well as a list of the biotic and abiotic features within the transect.

Data and Observations: Transect 2 is located on the Northside of the American University campus near Hughes Hall and McDowell Hall. The area is open with few trees and view obstructions, and the placement of many of the components were man chosen and did not appear there naturally.

Table 1: Abiotic and Biotic Features with Transect	'
Feature	Characterization	Location Number
Tree	Biotic	1
Moss	Biotic	2
Leaves	Biotic	3
Bush	Biotic	4
Soil	Biotic	5
Informational Plaque	Abiotic	6
Bench	Abiotic	7
Stones	Abiotic	8
Snow	Abiotic	9
Cigarette	Abiotic	10

Aerial Transect View:

Photo 1:

Photo 2:

Photo 3:

Conclusions and Future Directions: The transect contained both abiotic and biotic features which together make up the ecosystem. Further experimentation will be done to identify the organisms (plants, bacteria, protist…) in the transect so that the interaction and complexities present within an ecosystem can be understood.

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1/21/15

Public Health major, history minor.

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