Stream Ecology Lab Report
Stream Ecology Lab Report
Jesse Paner
Bio 192
Professor LaMontagne
Introduction
Ecology is the scientific study, which focuses on the interactions between organisms and their environments as well as interactions with other organisms. Stream ecology is a subset of ecology that observes the interactions between the organisms found within the stream and their interactions with the stream itself. A contributing factor to stream ecology is leaf degradation. Leaves that fall into a stream create a significant impact on the energy flow and nutrient cycling of the stream’s ecosystem. Leaves provide an abundant amount of organic material for many of the organisms within the stream. Decomposed leaves are a particularly important carbon source for …show more content…
The experiment proposed by the winning group consisted of the class dividing into groups of two or three. Each group then had to fill a labeled cup of water with 100 mL of stream water. Groups then had to cut 1.5 X 1.5 cm square samples of each leaf species (Norway and Silver). The leaves being cut for samples were leaves that had been soaking in Chicago River water for two weeks prior to lab. Each specific sample was then labeled with a colored pin in order to distinguish the samples and then both samples were placed into the labeled cup of stream water. Finally, three amphipods were placed into the cup containing the two samples. The amphipods were then left in the cup for one week, after which the leaves were removed and bagged by the …show more content…
This result corresponded to the prediction made before the experiment was conducted. The amphipod feeding preference is probably due to the Norway leaves’ softer texture. Amphipods are capable of chewing on the soft tissue between leaf veins however, as seen with the data collected amphipods seem to favor softer leaf species because amphipods are able to consume softer with much less effort. By favoring the softer Norway leaves, amphipods are able to convert the coarse particulate organic matter into fine particulate matter much easier than the Silver leaves. This means that softer leaves would offer much more fine leaf particulate matter, which would in turn provide more nutrients and energy sources to lower level feeders in comparison to tougher
Jesse Paner
Bio 192
Professor LaMontagne
Introduction
Ecology is the scientific study, which focuses on the interactions between organisms and their environments as well as interactions with other organisms. Stream ecology is a subset of ecology that observes the interactions between the organisms found within the stream and their interactions with the stream itself. A contributing factor to stream ecology is leaf degradation. Leaves that fall into a stream create a significant impact on the energy flow and nutrient cycling of the stream’s ecosystem. Leaves provide an abundant amount of organic material for many of the organisms within the stream. Decomposed leaves are a particularly important carbon source for …show more content…
The experiment proposed by the winning group consisted of the class dividing into groups of two or three. Each group then had to fill a labeled cup of water with 100 mL of stream water. Groups then had to cut 1.5 X 1.5 cm square samples of each leaf species (Norway and Silver). The leaves being cut for samples were leaves that had been soaking in Chicago River water for two weeks prior to lab. Each specific sample was then labeled with a colored pin in order to distinguish the samples and then both samples were placed into the labeled cup of stream water. Finally, three amphipods were placed into the cup containing the two samples. The amphipods were then left in the cup for one week, after which the leaves were removed and bagged by the …show more content…
This result corresponded to the prediction made before the experiment was conducted. The amphipod feeding preference is probably due to the Norway leaves’ softer texture. Amphipods are capable of chewing on the soft tissue between leaf veins however, as seen with the data collected amphipods seem to favor softer leaf species because amphipods are able to consume softer with much less effort. By favoring the softer Norway leaves, amphipods are able to convert the coarse particulate organic matter into fine particulate matter much easier than the Silver leaves. This means that softer leaves would offer much more fine leaf particulate matter, which would in turn provide more nutrients and energy sources to lower level feeders in comparison to tougher