Biomes Project
Week 1: Site intro
Week 2
As you can see, little has changed within my biome over the last few days. The plants have grown slightly, there are more fish, my bridge (the pile of logs spanning the creek) is closer to completion, but other than that, there has been little change to the biotic and abiotic factors in this environment.
Focus Questions: What is man's main impact in your area?
This site is relatively untouched by hikers and the like, however we found various pieces of garbage in the surrounding area (water bottles and plastic bags). We removed them and none have appeared since. The only other human impact may be the moving of several logs to establish boundaries between sites and the construction of a log bridge over the creek.
What are the limiting factors in your area for plants? For animals?
The two major limiting factors against plants and animals are the lack of sunlight and poor soil. This site is mostly covered by foliage, so only 15% of the area receives sunlight, mostly over the creek. The soil is also rocky and sandy. Though there is an abundance of water, the plants lack sunlight and nutrients in order to grow. Because there are few plants, animals have little to eat, thus there are few of them.
Week 3
Focus Questions: Why are bacteria important for plants in your area? For animals? For soil? (What role do they play?)
The bacteria here break down/decompose dead organisms in this are. This adds nutrients to the soil and make it possible for other plants to grow. These plants provide food and shelter to various fauna.
In general, where are Fungi found? What is their role in the world?
Fungi can be found anywhere in the world, as long as there are conditions such as adequate decomposing matter, moisture and shade. They differentiate to different environments, ranging from forrests to the intestinal tracts of various organism. They play a role in the denitrification of the soil- breaking down dead organisms and adding their nutrients back into the soil.
Is there any in your area? Where? Why/Why not?
Though fungi are prevalent in the surrounding areas, my site has little/none, mostly due to the lack of decomposing matter (there is little matter to decompose on my site). Any fungus you may find would be on the fallen logs we used to set boundaries for the sites.
Week 4
Focus Questions:
Research the invertebrates in your area.
The only invertebrates in my site are mosquitoes and water skeeters. They are one of the most common source of food for the minnows that live on my site. They also provide food for crayfish and small reptiles in neighboring sites.
What is their role?
As stated, such invertebrates provide food for larger vertebrates higher on the food chain. Mosquitoes also spread malaria in some cases. While this may not be the case in my site (I hope), it does serve to keep population in check in other areas.
Where are they found and why?
Both Mosquitoes and water skeeters are found in or near streams or other bodies of water. This is because both insects rely on the water for food and reproduction. Other, larger animals are attracted to the creek, providing a food source for the mosquito. Both the water skeeter and the mosquito lay eggs in water, making a stream, pond or creek necessary for reproduction, thus attracting both species.
Week 6
Focus Questions:
What is the difference between dermal, vascular and ground tissue? How are they arranged in a plant?
Dermal, Vascular and Ground Tissue are all plant tissues. The dermis is the outermost layer of the plant, providing protection and a way to hold in water. The Vascular tissue is in the middle and transports water and minerals. Ground tissue is between dermal and vascular tissues and undergoes photosynthesis and stores energy.
What are the essential nutrients needed in soil? Why are each important?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Molybdenum, and Copper are necessary nutrients for plants and allow plants to create food (through photosynthesis) and store energy.
Explain different methods of pollination you see in your area. Give at least 3 examples.
There are angiosperms and gymnosperms on my site. Stinging nettles and Blackberries are angiosperms and bay trees that gymnosperms. The blackberries and the stinging nettles are both dicots.
What are some adaptations the plants in your area have?
The blackberry vines have evolved to grow up trees to receive more sunlight, as well as thorns to discourage large species that will trample it. Though the soil is rocky and poor, stinging nettles still grow, showing that they have evolved to thrive in such conditions.
As you can see, little has changed within my biome over the last few days. The plants have grown slightly, there are more fish, my bridge (the pile of logs spanning the creek) is closer to completion, but other than that, there has been little change to the biotic and abiotic factors in this environment.
Focus Questions: What is man's main impact in your area?
This site is relatively untouched by hikers and the like, however we found various pieces of garbage in the surrounding area (water bottles and plastic bags). We removed them and none have appeared since. The only other human impact may be the moving of several logs to establish boundaries between sites and the construction of a log bridge over the creek.
What are the limiting factors in your area for plants? For animals?
The two major limiting factors against plants and animals are the lack of sunlight and poor soil. This site is mostly covered by foliage, so only 15% of the area receives sunlight, mostly over the creek. The soil is also rocky and sandy. Though there is an abundance of water, the plants lack sunlight and nutrients in order to grow. Because there are few plants, animals have little to eat, thus there are few of them.
Week 3
Focus Questions: Why are bacteria important for plants in your area? For animals? For soil? (What role do they play?)
The bacteria here break down/decompose dead organisms in this are. This adds nutrients to the soil and make it possible for other plants to grow. These plants provide food and shelter to various fauna.
In general, where are Fungi found? What is their role in the world?
Fungi can be found anywhere in the world, as long as there are conditions such as adequate decomposing matter, moisture and shade. They differentiate to different environments, ranging from forrests to the intestinal tracts of various organism. They play a role in the denitrification of the soil- breaking down dead organisms and adding their nutrients back into the soil.
Is there any in your area? Where? Why/Why not?
Though fungi are prevalent in the surrounding areas, my site has little/none, mostly due to the lack of decomposing matter (there is little matter to decompose on my site). Any fungus you may find would be on the fallen logs we used to set boundaries for the sites.
Week 4
Focus Questions:
Research the invertebrates in your area.
The only invertebrates in my site are mosquitoes and water skeeters. They are one of the most common source of food for the minnows that live on my site. They also provide food for crayfish and small reptiles in neighboring sites.
What is their role?
As stated, such invertebrates provide food for larger vertebrates higher on the food chain. Mosquitoes also spread malaria in some cases. While this may not be the case in my site (I hope), it does serve to keep population in check in other areas.
Where are they found and why?
Both Mosquitoes and water skeeters are found in or near streams or other bodies of water. This is because both insects rely on the water for food and reproduction. Other, larger animals are attracted to the creek, providing a food source for the mosquito. Both the water skeeter and the mosquito lay eggs in water, making a stream, pond or creek necessary for reproduction, thus attracting both species.
Week 6
Focus Questions:
What is the difference between dermal, vascular and ground tissue? How are they arranged in a plant?
Dermal, Vascular and Ground Tissue are all plant tissues. The dermis is the outermost layer of the plant, providing protection and a way to hold in water. The Vascular tissue is in the middle and transports water and minerals. Ground tissue is between dermal and vascular tissues and undergoes photosynthesis and stores energy.
What are the essential nutrients needed in soil? Why are each important?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Boron, Manganese, Zinc, Molybdenum, and Copper are necessary nutrients for plants and allow plants to create food (through photosynthesis) and store energy.
Explain different methods of pollination you see in your area. Give at least 3 examples.
There are angiosperms and gymnosperms on my site. Stinging nettles and Blackberries are angiosperms and bay trees that gymnosperms. The blackberries and the stinging nettles are both dicots.
What are some adaptations the plants in your area have?
The blackberry vines have evolved to grow up trees to receive more sunlight, as well as thorns to discourage large species that will trample it. Though the soil is rocky and poor, stinging nettles still grow, showing that they have evolved to thrive in such conditions.