User:Mary L. Pavia/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

1.20.2015: I'm am able to access OpenWetWare and submit content for Biology 210.

-MLP

1.25.2015: Lab 1- Biological Life at AU: Observing a Niche at AU (Date of Entry was 1.25.2015, but the date in which we gathered observations and collected a sample from the transect was 1.14.2015)

Purpose: I am analyzing a particular transect (group 4) on the American University main campus to better understand the organisms that inhabit the land, the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the niche, and how all of these factors interact within the different niches in the transect (Bentley, 2015). On the 14th of January, we went to our location to gather observations about it and collected a sample of soil/ground vegetation from the ecosystem that became a Hay Infusion Culture. My hypothesis is that we will observe fewer organisms and factors than are truly present. If we only complete visual observations of the area, then we will record fewer biotic (and abiotic) factors than we will find when carrying out closer microscopic observations of our Hay Infusion Culture.

Materials & Methods: After embarking to the group 4 designated transect and documenting the biotic and abiotic factors observed, we collected a sample of soil and ground vegetation in a sterile 50 mL conical tube. We were sure to collect a diverse group of plant matter so that our sample was representative of our specific transect. After returning to lab, we placed 10-12 grams of the sample into a clean, plastic jar with 500 mLs of Deer Park® water and 0.1 gm of dried milk. Then we put a lid on the jar so that we could carefully mix the contents of it for 10 seconds. Finally, we removed the lid of the jar and placed the open jar in the lab and let it remain there for one week.

Data & Observations: [[Figure 1. An Aerial-View Diagram of Group 4’s 20 by 20 meter Transect ]]

Figure 1 is an aerial-view Diagram of my group’s (group 4) 20 by 20 meter ecosystem. The transect was in part of a small farm garden located behind the tennis courts on the western side of the American University main campus. The four smaller rectangles represent the wooden planter boxes in the garden where 4 types of vegetation grow: Brussels sprouts, lettuce, kale and cucumber. The main features in between and outside of the boxes on the ground are woodchips, soil, decomposing plant matter, and some weeds. The compass is provided to indicate navigation of the transect.

[[Figure 2: Observations about the Biotic and Abiotic Characteristics of Group 4’s Transect ]]

Figure 2 is a table listing the biotic and abiotic factors within the transect in the farm garden observed on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 during the late afternoon lab period.

Image 1 shows the Brussels sprout planter box, as well as the decomposing plant matter on top of the soil within the box. The image also displays the wood chipped pathway in between the boxes within the fenced in farm garden.

Image 2 depicts the kale and cucumber planter boxes. The kale planter box has over 15 sprouted kale plants and an irrigation hose is present within the box. Also, a small scarecrow is lying in the far southwestern corner of the box. In the cucumber planter box, there are no apparent signs of cucumber plant grown above the surface of the soil.

Image 3 is of the lettuce planter box. The northwestern corner of the box is home to one lettuce plant. Snow is inside of the planter box as well.

Image 4 shows the south and southeaster side of the transect, where the 5 shrubs are present. Plant matter surrounds each individual plant.

Conclusions & Future Directions: As previously noted within the Data & Observations section, the transect was within a fenced off area with a gated entryway. This could be important, as it possibly reduces foot traffic of humans and animals, limits quantity of pests in the garden, and contamination of area in general. The animal waste found within the ecosystem indicates that, while no animals were seen at that time, there is clear evidence of animal interaction with transect (ie. Rabbit). Lastly, the small shrubs near the southeastern side of the transect against the fence were surrounded by decomposing plant matter. This looked intentional and was probably laid down for insulation of the plants during the cold winter months. According to the BBC, cold weather can have damaging effects on the cellular make-up of plants. Because of this, layering plant matter around the bases of plants can minimize the damage of cold temperatures (“Cold weather”, 2014).

My hypothesis was that we will observe fewer organisms and factors than are truly present. I predicted that if we only complete visual observations of the area, then we will record fewer biotic (and abiotic) factors than we will find when carrying out closer microscopic observations of our Hay Infusion Culture. While the hypothesis did not truly address the original purpose of the lab, the hypothesis is necessary and will still be applicable for the second part of the lab. Next lab period, we will use the Hay Infusion Culture created in this lab to test my hypothesis and attempt to identify different organisms and protists in the sample by using a dichotomous key. We will also observe the cultures after the week incubation period and find different niches within the one culture. To finish lab, we will prepare and plate serial dilutions to prepare for the next week’s microbiology lab.

References: Bentley, M., Walters-Conte, K., and Nancy K. Zeller. 2015. A Laboratory Manual to Accompany: General Biology II. Department of Biology, American University: Washington D.C.. 16.

“Cold weather”. Gardening guides. 2014. BBC. (25 Jan 2015) <http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/weather_coldweather.shtml>

-MLP