User:Esha B. Dholia/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Hay Infusion Culture Observations - January 22, 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to practice using a dichotomous key to identify unknown organisms, and then to use this knowledge as well as an understanding of the characteristics of algae and protists to identify and examine the algae and protists from each group's own transect.

1.27.15 Good first entry. Missing some information eg. the Hay infusion set up. The transect was 20Ft by 20Ft. We will work on uploading pictures this week. SK

Initial Transect Observations & Notes - January 15, 2015

Purpose: This lab is an ongoing experiment, in which a particular transect of land and its ecological diversity on the American University will be observed by a group of students for several weeks. The purpose of this lab is to take note of the features of that particular transect in order to begin conceptualizing the immense diversity present within a single ecosystem.

Materials & Methods: The group was assigned transect 4, one of the five 20x20 ft parcels of land students in the class will be responsible for observing over a few weeks. In terms of what could be variable in later observations of this transect, the weather should certainly be taken into consideration; because data is being gathered in the winter, the organisms observed on the transect and their number could vary from what's seen in this same transect of land during different times of the year. The group was responsible for noting all aspects of this transect of land, including its situation, biotic and abiotic factors, and other characteristics. Upon completing the observations, the group collected a 50 mL sample of soil and ground vegetation in a sterile conical tube - meant to represent the transect - to make a Hay Infusion culture.

Data & Observations: This lab group was assigned transect four, which is located within the American University community garden next to the tennis courts, towards the back of the campus. Transect 4 is located in a relatively relatively isolated area, though it is certainly well-kept and tended to often. The transect is located on a flat piece of land, and is fenced off. Pictured below is an aerial-view diagram of the transect.

The four beds appeared to be well-watered, though they did seem to be exhibiting any signs of exceptional plant growth. Certain vegetables had better growth than others.

The biotic, or living, factors found in this transect include the vegetables being grown, birds, weeds, earthworms, and ants. The vegetables were found growing in the four vegetable beds, and the weeds were found in these beds as well as in the surrounding soil and mulch. Birds were observed flying above the transect and it is presumed they consume the seeds and leaves of the vegetation in the garden. Ants and earthworms were found in the bed of the planters, and ants could likely also have been found in the mulch.

The abiotic, or nonliving, factors observed include the mulch, the planters, the irrigation system, the soil, and the water. Mulch, made of a mix of tan bark and other dead organic matter such as dead leaves and plants, is present throughout this transect, and is on the ground surrounding all the planters. The planters themselves are made of wood, and house all of the vegetation purposefully grown on this transect. The irrigation system is a series of pipes that runs throughout this transect and is responsible for bringing water to the planters. Soil is found in the beds in which the plants are meant to grow, and water is nearly everywhere, including in the soil and in the mulch. The sample collected for the Hay Infusion included soil from each of the four beds in the transect as well as mulch from both around the planters as well near the dead plants towards the back.

Conclusions & Future Directions: Upon closer examination of transect 4 - which had initially appeared to simply be a community garden - it's quite clear that there is an immense amount of life and diversity living and thriving in this environment. The Hay Infusion will further reveal what sort of protists and bacteria have a home in this transect, as well. In order to further understand the diversity of life on campus, it would be interesting to compare this transect of land with the four others, and attempt to comprehend the variance in life present on the American University campus.