User:Medina Nurmanovs/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

1/26/2015 MN

Lab 1: Biological Life at AU

Purpose: In this lab me and my group were assigned a transect on the territory of American University. Its name is Wildlife Habitat and it is situated just near the Hughes Hall. Our purpose was to carefully examine our transect and make an aerial-view map, as well as a list of all abiotic and biotic components of it. Also, a sample of soil was taken for later experiment.

Materials and Methods: Our group was not provided any special equipment for this lab. In the list of what we used was: a pencil, a notebook, a flashlight and a tube with collected soil. As the lab was held after the sunset, a flashlight was crucial for examining the transect, which consisted mainly of dirt, however, there were a few trees and rocks, as well as rick pathway. The soil was mixed with dead leaves and grass. Firstly, me and my group drew a map, then we started listing components of the transect. After this one of my classmates collected a sample of soil. As we did all this, we headed back to the laboratory to complete the second part of the lab: The Hay Infusion. It was an easy tack: all we had to do was to add 500 ml of water, 10-12 gm of soil sample and 0.1 gm f dry milk to a plastic jar, and then shake it. After this, we labeled the jar and its lid and placed open jar on a table in the laboratory.

Data and Observations: List of Biotic Components: trees bushes grass rat birds

List of Abiotic Components: snow rocks trash

Here is a map of the transect:

Conclusion and Future Directions: This lab was create to show us the diverse biological life at American University. Only in our 20 by 20 m transect me and my group have found many biotic and abiotic components. It was my mistake that I have not taken a photo of the transect, which I will do in the closest future.

M.N.

References: Bentley, Meg. 2015. A Laboratory Manual to Accompany: General Biology II. Department of Biology, American University. 12-17.