User:Erin McDonough/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Lab 1: Transect Observation and Sample Taking, 1/26/15

The transect under observation for this lab was a roughly 20 by 20 meter trapezoidal plot, in the middle of the Eric Friedheim Quadrangle at American University; as such, this transect is often traversed, possibly even more so than other parts of the quad, as it lies right next to a path, which forms the southwest border of the plot. From this transect, a sample including both organic and inorganic matter was taken, from which a Hay Infusion Culture was created.

The transect's chief abiotic components include dirt, which forms a planter along the west edge of the transect, patches of ice and snow, and a stone and concrete wall that protrudes into the north-most corner of the transect. A plastic fork was also found just outside the eastern bounds of the transect, suggesting that trash cast aside by students may regularly be cast into the transect. Chief biotic components include rose bushes in the planter along the west edge of the transect, long grass planted beneath them, and another set of bushes (which also flower during warmer months) around the concrete and stone wall in the north corner; both sets of bushes have few, brown leaves, almost as though dead; however, both are perennials and therefore will likely become fuller with the return of warmer weather. Underneath these plants there are many dead leaves, particularly piled up along the edge where the planter meets the grass; these come from a large oak tree that overshadows the transect (east of the transect). Within the planter are also small sticks, wood-chips that appear to be left-over from when the planter was last mulched, and a variety of weeds. The rest of the plot, which forms the majority of the transect, is covered in short grass, with a few weeds interspersed; the grass is currently rather patchy, likely from a combination of trampling and recent weather, which has been cold and icy. The soil throughout the transect is damp. The transect is largely flat, with the planter slightly elevated above the surrounding grass.

The sample to be used for the Hay Infusion culture was taken primarily from the border between the planter and the grass, near the rose bushes, as indicated on the drawing below. The sample included dirt, dead leaves from the oak tree, grass, weeds, and leaves from the rose bush (including one thorn). A long grass from further beneath the rose bushes was also included in the sample, as well as leaves from the dead plants in the north corner. 12 grams of the sample were placed in a plastic jar, along with 500 mL of deerpark water and 0.1 gm dried milk, the lid was put on the jar, and the sample was gently mixed for about 10 seconds. The lid was then removed and the jar was placed on a table in the lab to incubate for 1 week.

Drawing of an Aerial View of Transect:

--Erin McDonough 22:59, 26 January 2015 (EST)

First entry, 1/22/15

Testing