User:Dylan J. Williams/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Lab 1

Objectives: To understand the biotic and abiotic characteristics of a niche. A 20x20 foot transect will be measured to examine and experiment the abiotic and biotic factors in this space. Abiotic organisms will be collected and later examined under a microscope.

Steps Performed: 1. Surveyed the 20x20 feet transect that was predetermined by the instructor. 2. Examined the transect closely, looking for abiotic and biotic factors of the transect. 3. Abiotic and biotic factors were recorded. 4. A descriptive diagram of the transect was sketched on a piece of paper, including the general characteristics (location, topography, etc.). 5. A sterile 50 ml conical tube was used to take a sample of the soil and vegetation. 6. 10 to 12 grams of the sample on a scale and then placed in a plastic jar with 500 mlx of water. 7. .1 gm of dried milk was added. 8. A person closed the jar and shook it for 10 seconds. 9. The top of the jar was removed and the open jar was placed in the lab to sit for 1 week. 10. Samples of the hay infusion culture will be taken and examined in the next lab.

Data: Thursday, January 16, 2013 Biotic Factors: Some of the Biotic factors present include flowers, wood chips, leaves, Soil, and Acorns/Nuts. Abiotic Factors: The abiotic Factors present in the transect include a concrete bench, walkway stones, quadrangle sign, metal lining soil and walkway, and fertilizer. Terrain: Approx. 2/5 Grass, 2/5 Concrete, 1/5 Soil and Shrubs Grass stretches from the center of the area up into the top right and bottom right quadrants Concrete takes up the bottom left quadrant, with a concrete sign in the top left quadrant Soil and shrubbery can be found in between the concrete and grass, stretching from the top left, to the bottom right quadrants Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Change in environment: Approx. 4 inches of snowfall Small sized Footprints were left in snow of some sort of animal (Possibly a squirrel), traveled northwest bound on concrete. Leaves from bushes in snow Bushes in top left quadrant are fully submerged in snow Human footprints top right quadrant of grass Roots of shrubbery in center are submerged in snow Ice on concrete, possibly from snow truck coming through and turning snow into slush, therefore the slush later freezing.

Conclusion: The objective of the lab was specifically addressed. The transect was examined and the abiotic and biotic factors were determined by observation. In the future, tools such as a microscope and thermal vision can be used to determine more abiotic and biotic factors.