User:Eliza B/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU: Difference between revisions
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'''1/22/14 EB''' | '''1/22/14 EB''' | ||
'''Lab 1: Observing a Transect''' | '''Lab 1: Observing a Transect''' | ||
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''Materials and Methods'' | ''Materials and Methods'' | ||
For this lab, the most important material was | For this lab, the most important material was simply sensory information. Aside from the tube used to collect a dirt sample, all data was collected from observing, listening, and smelling a given transect. We first drew a map of the plot, including both the area within the transect and a few meters outside our area to show the boundaries. We then scrutinized each part of the transect, listing each biotic and abiotic element we found. Finally, we collected a sample of dirt representative of that area in a tube to use for Hay Infusions. | ||
The second part of lab was preparing the Hay Infusions for next class. We added | The second part of lab was preparing the Hay Infusions for next class. We added .1 grams of powdered milk and 10 grams of dirt to a large jar filled with 50mLs of water in order to create an ecosystem where protists could thrive. After shaking the mixture to ensure the milk and dirt were properly mixed, we left the jars, lids off, for a week to allow the ecosystem time to grow. | ||
''Data Collected'' | ''Data Collected'' | ||
Below is both a drawing and digital picture of my group’s transect, the wildlife habitat ecosystem, or transect 2. | Below is both a drawing and digital picture of my group’s transect, the wildlife habitat ecosystem, or transect 2. | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:TransectD.JPG]] | ||
[[Image:Picture.JPG]] | [[Image:Picture.JPG]] | ||
Our transect was located on the North side of campus, on a slight slope. Aside from the slight downward tilt, the transect was mostly flat, with few bumps or small hills. The soil appeared hard and dry, but was surprising moist and loose once we began collecting samples. | Our transect was located on the North side of campus, on a slight slope. Aside from the slight downward tilt, the transect was mostly flat, with few bumps or small hills. The soil appeared hard and dry, but was surprising moist and loose once we began collecting samples. We found that our transect contained diverse biotic elements, but relatively uniform abiotic elements. The abiotic factors we documented were a piece of crumpled tissue paper, a few large boulders on the periphery of the transect, a row of smaller rocks dividing the transect, and lots of dirt and mulch throughout. Most of the transect, in fact, was covered in brittle dirt or scattered with wood chip mulch. When we came to biotic factors, we found more diversity. For plants, there were four trees, two of them big, one medium, and one small, that created the boundaries for our transect. There were several clumps of shrubs, some in the south with numerous purple leaves and some towards the north along the rocks that were stick-like and bare of leaves. Small clumps of monkey grass grew right next to the rocks as well, and fallen leaves scattered the ground. Since we were out late at night, there were few bird species, but observing the transect during the day revealed numerous sparrows. Though not seen, our group heard and felt at least one rat scurrying in the transect. We saw no bugs in the transect, but their absence could be due to the cold winter weather. | ||
''Conclusions and Future Directions'' | ''Conclusions and Future Directions'' | ||
Since this lab did not attempt to test any hypothesis, there are no conclusions regarding any outcomes of our observations. However, the data we collected showed that the our transect contained a diverse assortment of plants, a small number of animals, and a few different abiotic components. The area was relatively litter-free, containing only one piece of trash. This cleanliness combined with the surprisingly moist soil allowed the transect to live up to its name of ‘wildlife habitat.’ The soil sample we collected should be an accurate representation of the transect as a whole, though the cold of winter, which left most of the plants in the transect deadened, might have affected the overall protist population of the region. Future tests should gather samples from numerous different seasons to determine the affect of cold weather on protist life. | Since this lab did not attempt to test any hypothesis, there are no conclusions regarding any outcomes of our observations. However, the data we collected showed that the our transect contained a diverse assortment of plants, a small number of animals, and a few different abiotic components. The area was relatively litter-free, containing only one piece of trash. This cleanliness combined with the surprisingly moist soil allowed the transect to live up to its name of ‘wildlife habitat.’ The soil sample we collected should be an accurate representation of the transect as a whole, though the cold of winter, which left most of the plants in the transect deadened, might have affected the overall protist population of the region. Future tests should gather samples from numerous different seasons to determine the affect of cold weather on protist life. | ||
Revision as of 13:35, 23 January 2015
1/22/14 EB
Lab 1: Observing a Transect
Intro
Observation, simple as it may sound, is key to understanding science. No theories, hypotheses, or even scientific questions can emerge without this first vital step of the scientific method. This lab’s core goal was to collect observations about a specific transect on AU’s campus, namely the Wildlife Habitat transect, located between Cassel Hall and Hughes Hall. My group observed, drew, sampled, and analyzed the 20 by 20 meter plot in order to grasp how organisms within an ecosystem interact and develop. The data collected from this initial observation will be used throughout this semester’s study of campus ecosystems.
Materials and Methods
For this lab, the most important material was simply sensory information. Aside from the tube used to collect a dirt sample, all data was collected from observing, listening, and smelling a given transect. We first drew a map of the plot, including both the area within the transect and a few meters outside our area to show the boundaries. We then scrutinized each part of the transect, listing each biotic and abiotic element we found. Finally, we collected a sample of dirt representative of that area in a tube to use for Hay Infusions. The second part of lab was preparing the Hay Infusions for next class. We added .1 grams of powdered milk and 10 grams of dirt to a large jar filled with 50mLs of water in order to create an ecosystem where protists could thrive. After shaking the mixture to ensure the milk and dirt were properly mixed, we left the jars, lids off, for a week to allow the ecosystem time to grow.
Data Collected
Below is both a drawing and digital picture of my group’s transect, the wildlife habitat ecosystem, or transect 2.
Our transect was located on the North side of campus, on a slight slope. Aside from the slight downward tilt, the transect was mostly flat, with few bumps or small hills. The soil appeared hard and dry, but was surprising moist and loose once we began collecting samples. We found that our transect contained diverse biotic elements, but relatively uniform abiotic elements. The abiotic factors we documented were a piece of crumpled tissue paper, a few large boulders on the periphery of the transect, a row of smaller rocks dividing the transect, and lots of dirt and mulch throughout. Most of the transect, in fact, was covered in brittle dirt or scattered with wood chip mulch. When we came to biotic factors, we found more diversity. For plants, there were four trees, two of them big, one medium, and one small, that created the boundaries for our transect. There were several clumps of shrubs, some in the south with numerous purple leaves and some towards the north along the rocks that were stick-like and bare of leaves. Small clumps of monkey grass grew right next to the rocks as well, and fallen leaves scattered the ground. Since we were out late at night, there were few bird species, but observing the transect during the day revealed numerous sparrows. Though not seen, our group heard and felt at least one rat scurrying in the transect. We saw no bugs in the transect, but their absence could be due to the cold winter weather.
Conclusions and Future Directions
Since this lab did not attempt to test any hypothesis, there are no conclusions regarding any outcomes of our observations. However, the data we collected showed that the our transect contained a diverse assortment of plants, a small number of animals, and a few different abiotic components. The area was relatively litter-free, containing only one piece of trash. This cleanliness combined with the surprisingly moist soil allowed the transect to live up to its name of ‘wildlife habitat.’ The soil sample we collected should be an accurate representation of the transect as a whole, though the cold of winter, which left most of the plants in the transect deadened, might have affected the overall protist population of the region. Future tests should gather samples from numerous different seasons to determine the affect of cold weather on protist life.
