Leaf Litter Lab
Pre-Lab Questions
1) We want to rate the amount of biodiversity because it can let us know if certain species are becoming invasive or if there has been a decline in the diversity due to factors like a lack of food and other resources that species need.
2) Sample 1: [ 10(9) + 10(9) + 10(9) + 10(9) + 10(9) ] / [ 50(49) ] = .183
1 - .183 = .816
1 / .183 = 5.44
Sample 2: [ 20(19) + 20(19) + 10(9) + 10(9) + 2(1) ] / [ 62(61) ] = .249
1 - .449 = .750
1 / .249 = 4.01
Sample 3: [ 100(99) + 1(0)+ 1(0) + 1(0) + 1(0) ] / [ 104(103) ] = .924
1 - .924 = .075
1 / .924 = 1.08
3) Sample 1 is the most diverse and will have variety of species, while sample 3 is the least diverse and will have a large number of the same species but not a variety. Sample 2 is diverse but not as diverse as sample 1.
2) Sample 1: [ 10(9) + 10(9) + 10(9) + 10(9) + 10(9) ] / [ 50(49) ] = .183
1 - .183 = .816
1 / .183 = 5.44
Sample 2: [ 20(19) + 20(19) + 10(9) + 10(9) + 2(1) ] / [ 62(61) ] = .249
1 - .449 = .750
1 / .249 = 4.01
Sample 3: [ 100(99) + 1(0)+ 1(0) + 1(0) + 1(0) ] / [ 104(103) ] = .924
1 - .924 = .075
1 / .924 = 1.08
3) Sample 1 is the most diverse and will have variety of species, while sample 3 is the least diverse and will have a large number of the same species but not a variety. Sample 2 is diverse but not as diverse as sample 1.
Problem
What type of species will be found in the leaf litter and the soil? Will the leaf litter be more or less diverse than the soil?
Hypothesis
The leaf litter will be more diverse than the soil and will have a variety of species living there.
Parts of the Experiment
Independent Variable: where the leaf litter was from
Dependent Variable: the species found
Controlled Variable: amount of light, amount of alcohol
Control Group: the soil
Experimental Group: the leaf litters
Dependent Variable: the species found
Controlled Variable: amount of light, amount of alcohol
Control Group: the soil
Experimental Group: the leaf litters
Materials
1) Microscope
2) Milk Jug with cut off bottom
3) Leaf Litter
4) Alcohol
5) Lamp
6) Soil
2) Milk Jug with cut off bottom
3) Leaf Litter
4) Alcohol
5) Lamp
6) Soil
Procedure
1) Collect a sample leaf litter.
2) Place sample into jug and place a beaker of alcohol under it.
3) Place lamp over the jug.
4) After a few days, take breaker and pour alcohol into petri dish.
5) Place petri dish under microscope.
6) Examine the species and identify them. Also, count how many of each species.
7) Combine data with other groups and calculate the diversity indices.
2) Place sample into jug and place a beaker of alcohol under it.
3) Place lamp over the jug.
4) After a few days, take breaker and pour alcohol into petri dish.
5) Place petri dish under microscope.
6) Examine the species and identify them. Also, count how many of each species.
7) Combine data with other groups and calculate the diversity indices.
Observations
When the alcohol was poured into the petri dish, there were some bigger species like the millipede holding on to the breaker. While looking under the microscope, we saw many types of species like ticks, springtails, beetle mites, termites, pauropods, true bugs, and psocids, and proturams. There were more ticks than any other species and also there was a springtail eating a tick.
Data Table and Graphs
leaf_litter.docx | |
File Size: | 29 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Analysis and Conclusions Specific to Lab
1) The organisms move away from the light because they do not like the light and how the heat makes the environment dry. This indicates that the organisms like a wet, moist environment to live in.
2) The biodiversity of the litter is high. The leaf litter is very diverse even though there is a high number of ticks, the numerous amount of other species makes up for their high numbers and makes the litter diverse.
3) A scientist would need to make more than one measurement because the his results would not be very accurate with just one sample since the forest is such a large area and not all species will live in one certain area. Also, he or she would have take samples over a period of time to make sure that the results are consistent.
2) The biodiversity of the litter is high. The leaf litter is very diverse even though there is a high number of ticks, the numerous amount of other species makes up for their high numbers and makes the litter diverse.
3) A scientist would need to make more than one measurement because the his results would not be very accurate with just one sample since the forest is such a large area and not all species will live in one certain area. Also, he or she would have take samples over a period of time to make sure that the results are consistent.
General Conclusions
The lab was successful and went as planned. It would have been even better if there were even more samples taken from different areas and if the samples were taken over a period of time to gather better results. In all, the leaf litter was very diverse and there was a great variety of species. Also, the leaf litter was more diverse than the soil sample. In recent reports from Canada, scientists are saying that Vancouver's biodiversity is falling short and is inconsistent. They have also said certain areas have been placed in high protection categories and that they are creating conservation networks to help maintain the biodiversity. Biodiversity in the environment is important because it helps to sustain a healthy environment and allows for the environment, along with people and animals, to be able to function properly. Also, if the environment is not diverse, then diseases and other types of illnesses could potentially be spread and species could become extinct.
Pynn, Larry. "B.C. land protection insufficient to conserve species biodiversity Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/land+protection+insufficient+conserve+species+biodiversity+report/7993857/story.html#ixzz2Lfy9EEeh." Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network Inc, 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. <http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/land+protection+insufficient+conserve+species+biodiversity+report/7993857/story.html>.
Pynn, Larry. "B.C. land protection insufficient to conserve species biodiversity Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/land+protection+insufficient+conserve+species+biodiversity+report/7993857/story.html#ixzz2Lfy9EEeh." Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network Inc, 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. <http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/land+protection+insufficient+conserve+species+biodiversity+report/7993857/story.html>.