LAB Distribution of plants at Mer Bleue
Distribution of plants at Mer Bleue
By Zahra Rao
7690901
BIO1130 Section A6
Demonstrators:
Natalia Koud
Hong Yew
September 22nd, 2014
Department of Biology
University of Ottawa
Hypothesis:
The Acer rubrum has adapted to a range of dry habitat conditions, which include; the ecotone, forest and field. This is because the tree has adaptable roots helping it to cope with differing soil types1. It is most profoundly found in the ecotone because of the moist acidic soil that is found in this part of the land. The data collected by four groups at five different habitat locations in Mer Bleue supports this claim (Graph 1).
Prediction:
a) What would happen to the preferred habitat of your plant in case of partial water drainage of the Mer Bleue marsh?
If the water levels of the Mer Bleue marsh were to be partially drained the habitats that the Acer rubrum prefers to thrive in would not be severely affected. This is because the three areas of land that the tree is found are at higher elevations (between 69m-75m) than the marsh and bog (between 67m-69m) and receive most of their water from rain.
b) What is your prediction regarding the consequence of the drainage on your plant regarding its abundance in its preferred habitat as well as its distribution in the Mer Bleue site??
The Acer rubrum would not be greatly affected if the marsh were to be drained because it has adapted to be able to live in drier habitats. However, the highest frequencies of tree’s that are located in Mer Bleue are in the ecotone, which is in the transitional zone. The ecotone receives its water from both the rain and marsh. This would cause a minor effect on the Acer rubrum in the area, but its roots would eventually adapt to the drier soil. As for the forest and field, the only source of water they have is rain because the elevation is much higher to that of the marsh, which ensures no disruption to the Acer rubrum in these areas. The soil throughout Mer Bleue is
By Zahra Rao
7690901
BIO1130 Section A6
Demonstrators:
Natalia Koud
Hong Yew
September 22nd, 2014
Department of Biology
University of Ottawa
Hypothesis:
The Acer rubrum has adapted to a range of dry habitat conditions, which include; the ecotone, forest and field. This is because the tree has adaptable roots helping it to cope with differing soil types1. It is most profoundly found in the ecotone because of the moist acidic soil that is found in this part of the land. The data collected by four groups at five different habitat locations in Mer Bleue supports this claim (Graph 1).
Prediction:
a) What would happen to the preferred habitat of your plant in case of partial water drainage of the Mer Bleue marsh?
If the water levels of the Mer Bleue marsh were to be partially drained the habitats that the Acer rubrum prefers to thrive in would not be severely affected. This is because the three areas of land that the tree is found are at higher elevations (between 69m-75m) than the marsh and bog (between 67m-69m) and receive most of their water from rain.
b) What is your prediction regarding the consequence of the drainage on your plant regarding its abundance in its preferred habitat as well as its distribution in the Mer Bleue site??
The Acer rubrum would not be greatly affected if the marsh were to be drained because it has adapted to be able to live in drier habitats. However, the highest frequencies of tree’s that are located in Mer Bleue are in the ecotone, which is in the transitional zone. The ecotone receives its water from both the rain and marsh. This would cause a minor effect on the Acer rubrum in the area, but its roots would eventually adapt to the drier soil. As for the forest and field, the only source of water they have is rain because the elevation is much higher to that of the marsh, which ensures no disruption to the Acer rubrum in these areas. The soil throughout Mer Bleue is