Biology Paper 2 Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with other organisms and the surrounding environment. This interaction can be positive (benefiting) or negative (harmful). In an ideal world, there would exist three types of two-species interactions. In two types of interactions, one species benefits over the other species. In the third type of interactions, neither species would benefit over the other species. However, the real world does not follow these idealistic rules and instead introduces the concept of competition. Competition is a type of negative interaction between two organisms that harms both participants. The theory behind competition is that there is a finite number of resources available to organisms in …show more content…
One pot contained 50 oat plants (50 O), one pot contained 25 oat plants + 25 alfalfa plants (25 O/A), and one contained 25 oat plants + 25 tomato plants (25 O/T). The goal of this experimental setup was to determine the effects of interspecific vs. intraspecific competition on oat plants. The pot containing 50 oats plants tests intraspecific competition, while the pots with the oat and alfalfa or oat and tomato mixtures tests interspecific competition. Several lab sections conducted this experiment to produce more analyzable data for the study. All three pots in all lab sections were allowed to grow for several weeks. At the end of the allotted growth period, all three pots were harvested. For each pot, the number of plants growths of each type were recorded. This value is indicative of plant survival rates in a competitive environment. The stem of each plant growth was then cut at soil level. For each plant growth present, the length and weight of the plant growth was measured and recorded. These two values are indicative of plant growth rates in a competitive environment. The results of the experiment are shown in the figures below. The null hypothesis for this experiment is that there will be no difference in the numbers measured for each of the pots. Statistically significant results will have p-value < 0.05. In accordance with the data collected, the p-values were calculated …show more content…
Figure 2 shows that the average length of oat plant growths is less in an intraspecific competitive environment vs. an interspecific competitive environment. The average length of the oat plant growths in the 50 O pot is less than the average length of oat plant growths in the 25 O/T pot. Table 1 also shows there is a significant different in both length and weight for the 50 O pot in comparison to the 25 O/A pot (length: p=0.000, weight: p=0.005). Figure 2 again shows that the average length of oat plant growths is less in an intraspecific competitive environment vs. an interspecific competitive environment. The average length of the oat plant growths in the 50 O pot is less than the average length of oat plant growths in the 25 O/A pot. Figure 3 also shows that the average weight of oat plant growths is less in an intraspecific competitive environment vs. an interspecific competitive environment. The average weight of oat plants growths in the 50 O pot is less than the average weight of oat plant growths in the 25 O/A
Two members of the group were instructed to visit the laboratory each day of the experiment to water and measure the plants (Handout 1). The measurements that were preformed were to be precise and accurate by the group by organizing a standardized way to measure the plants. The plants were measured from the level of the soil, which was flat throughout all the cups, to the tip of the apical meristems. The leaves were not considered. The watering of the plants took place nearly everyday, except for the times the lab was closed. Respective of cup label, the appropriate drop of solution was added to the plant, at the very tip of the apical meristems.
Many variations and species of plants can be found all around the world and in different habitats. These variations and characteristics are due to their adaptations to the natural habitat surrounding them. In three of many climatic zones, the arid, tropical and temperate zone, plants that vary greatly from each other are found in these locations. In this experiment, we’ll be observing the connection between the adaptations of the plants to their environment at the Fullerton Arboretum. The arboretum is a space containing numerous plants from different environments. The plants are carefully looked after and organized into their specific habitat. Therefore, we’ll be able to take a look at the plants within multiple
The data we found supported our original water hypothesis. My group and I believed that adding ammonium nitrate into our eco-column would ultimately damage the ecosystems. The increase in levels of minerals from the aquatic ecosystem also indicates that the entire column was being destroyed. Through this experiment, I have learned that too much nutrients and minerals within an ecosystem can be extremely harmful to the wildlife. Throughout this experiment the water in our eco column began to turn yellow because of a surplus of nitrogen and phosphorous in the eco-column. In some of the eco-columns of the other groups in the classroom, they had eutrophication in the early stages of their eco-column which resulted in the death of many of their
Table 1 shows averages of each replicate for each series of seeds relating to mortality rate/germination rate, budding rate, and mean plant weight (total, with buds, and without buds).
We used wheatgrass were 40 wheatgrass seeds, two empty pots, soil, and water. We first added soil for both pots and 20 wheatgrass seeds in each pot. My partner and I decided that we label pot one experiment which is “sugar and water” and pot two control which is “water” only. The experiment was for almost four weeks we had to make sure both get the same room temperature and water, so we can see the results after this amount of time. Both pots had same room temperature so both can have the same amount of sunlight also, the same amount of water which is a glass of water from the sink once a week. In the experiment pot we added a glass of water with one teaspoon of sugar and the control pot glass of water. Every week we used to see both pots grow almost the same. At the end of the experiment, my partner and I measured the length for both plants and we recorded the average for each plant, so we can know the rate of growth
Sheshadri, T. (2001, December 26). Student recognized for agricultural acumen. The San Diego Union Tribune, N1-4. Retrieved on March 20, 2002 from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe (Newspapers) on the World Wide Web: http://www.lexisnexis.com/universe.htm.
If intraspecific competition will affect the number of flowers and the height of each plant in Brassica rapa in 2, 5, and 10 seed treatments, then plants in the high density treatment will be shorter and have less flowers. We kept track of the number of flowers on each plant throughout the duration of the experiment, as well as the height of each surviving plant to support our prediction, and the plants with the highest fitness will be taller and have more
Each plant species has a unique pattern of resource allocation that is genetically determined but not fixed. Plants can adjust there allocation pattern when they experience different environments and the presence of other species. Phenotypic plasticity goes hand in hand with resource allocation as well. When a plant has to adjust itʻs resource allocation, sometimes it uses itʻs resources to help the plant grow different characteristic so that the plant can have a greater chance of living in the environment. For example, if a plant from an environment that does not experience wind on the regular basis enters a new environment that has a lot of wind the plant may change itʻs resource allocation and spend more of itʻs resources growing deeper
Ecology is defined as a “system theory used to describe and analyze people and other living systems and their
Comparing the Growth of Pea Plants Grown in the Light and in the Dark Aim: To compare the vertical growth and weight gain of pea plants grown in the light and in the dark. Background Knowledge: Photosynthesis forms the basis for this experiment. This is the process by which a plant makes food for itself from the raw materials around it. The energy needed for photosynthesis comes from sunlight, which is the variable for this experiment.
The farmers of this time realized that it was easier to plant a big portion of one species of crop than little portions of
"Home | American Society of Agronomy." Home | American Society of Agronomy. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. .
On the other hand, farmers have developed a bewildering diversity of local varieties of these staples and of minor crops resulting from ‘interactions with wild species, adaptations to changing farming conditions, and responses to the economic and cultural factors that shape farmers priorities’. Local crops are the goods of breeding or selection conduct by farmers. This has passed a lot of generations and natural selection. The concept of recognizable morphologically say that farmers have names for them, and different landraces are known to distinguish in adaptation to soil type, time of seeding, date of maturity, height, nutritive value, use and other properties Nowadays, just have some livestock species contribute to agricultural and food production because less number of animal species that were fully domesticated.. Similarly, the number of breeds that were developed in these domesticates was very much smaller than in the case of plants. Furthermore, research also notes that ‘With the exception of the wild boar the ancestors and wild relatives of major livestock species are either extinct or highly endangered as a result of hunting, changes to their habitats, and in the case of the wild red jungle fowl, intensive cross-breeding
This lesson is designed to review and reinforce a few important concepts about plants (e.g. Needs, parts, sequence of planting) and to also guide the students through applying a few scientific inquiry (e.g. Making observations, experimentation, discussion, reflection, reporting results etc.). The students have previously planted corn and bean seeds and today’s lesson has provided the students a chance to see the results of the planted corn and bean seeds. Additionally, seeds have been planted under and growing under the following conditions: without water, and without soil. The students see the results of these seeds planted under these conditions for the past week. Two plants in particular have already been grown their growth has been
The branch of science that deals with how living things, including humans, are related to their surroundings is called ecology . The Earth supports some 5 million species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. These interact and influence their surroundings, forming a vast network of interrelated environmental systems called ecosystems. The arctic tundra is an ecosystem and so is a Brazilian rain forest. The islands of Hawaii are a relatively isolated ecosystem. If left undisturbed, natural environmental systems tend to achieve balance or stability among the various species of plants and animals. Complex ecosystems are able to compensate for changes caused by weather or intrusions from migrating animals and are therefore usually said to be more stable than simple ecosystems. A field of corn has only one dominant species, the corn plant, and is a very simple ecosystem. It is easily destroyed by drought, insects, disease, or overuse. A forest may remain relatively unchanged by weather that would destroy a nearby field of corn, because the forest is characterized by greater diversity of plants and animals. Its complexity gives it stability.