Further Study

How many pieces of new trash will appear on the site every month, and how will that impact the ecosystem?

Hypothesis:  If the amount of new trash every month is measured for a year, then there will be an increase in trash because more and more people will be aware of the site.

Independent Variable: Littering

Dependent Variable:  Amount of Trash (in²)

Control: Area of land (100m²) next to the site

Constants: weather for both areas (rain patterns, wind currents etc.) types of organisms that inhabit it, ruler in which the trash will be measured, pen in which the data will be taken, and creek water that runs through the area

Sites (I.V.)

Area of New Trash (D.V.) (in²) Trial (months)

Mean Area of New Trash (in²)

#`1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

Control

Site

Conclusion

            I chose my study area because it had easy landmarks to find it and I am absolutely terrible with directions.  Plus it had beautiful yellow flowers going down the hillside and a small pond.  I knew that others had found it before me because of the litter and wood plank that went across the small pond.  However, I did not realize how many people did visit on a regular basis.  Each time I went there was more and more trash left behind be it McDonald’s cups or a pair of black flats.   If that were not enough, someone stole a bay laurel tree and placed a mysterious bone inside the hole left behind.  I felt extremely hurt when the habitat was destroyed and the monkey flowers were torn up from the ground.  I understand people want to have fun with their friends, but going out in the middle of a habitat and destroying it is incomprehensible.

            After completing parts of the site project, I should have chosen an area with more biodiversity and less human impact.  Due to the constant littering the animals and plants available to study were limited as the area was extremely polluted.  Additionally, I wish that I had a smart phone with an application that could help me identify species as booklets with keys were not helpful.

            The well-being of the abiotic factors is essential in the health of the biotic factors.  Because the pond was contaminated with a mysterious milky white substance, mosquito larva formed and the water gliders present before vanished.  Climate manipulates the adaptations of the plants and animals in a system.  Bird’s migration patterns shift and plants get confused as to which season it is and change their growth patterns either too early or too late.

            There have been no positive impacts from humans in my site thus far, but if clean-up crews swept through the area, then it could potentially benefit the site.  The contamination of the pond, consistent littering of toys and random objects, and the destruction of the habitat has led me to the conclusion that those visiting the site are careless and do not care about the well-being of the park and all that inhabit it.  Invasive species could easily take over the area and mosquito larva in the pond demonstrates the extreme contamination of the water.

            The shifts between the seasons were very small and it shows that the biome in the Bay Area responds a moderate climate.  Compared to other parts on the country where it snows and the summers are incredibly hot, the Bay Area remains in a range of temperatures year round which leads to anti-climactic photos comparing the seasons as they are very similar.  However, after it rained, the site became much greener versus when it did not.

Adaptations and Food Web

Adaptations

            The California Bay Laurel is a type of evergreen tree that can grow up to a height of 70 feet.  In the fall its fruit is eaten by the Grey Squirrel primarily, but other wildlife such as birds eat it as well.  The tree’s leaves are fragrant and coat the floor in a sea of orange and browns during the fall.  They grow along the Pacific Ocean to the southwest Oregon and even into the Sierra Nevada mountains.

            It has adapted to the ever changing conditions of the environment because water is not required once the tree has established its roots.  Through times of drought, the bay tree is still able to grow new leaves and maintain its ability to create fruit.  Additionally it can grow in full sun to partly shady which makes it able to live in multiple levels of elevation.  Finally, the tree adapts to its environment through its growth patterns.  If on a drier hillside, the tree conserves its energy and resources by growing smaller yellow leaves versus areas in which there is more water and it grows large green leaves. (WSU)

Data Table B2

Field Study Data Table B1

Field Study Data Table A

Detailed Site Description

November 19, 2012

          My site is primarily made up of trees; specifically bay a giant bay tree which it makes up 60% of the area.  Bushes, bare ground that that has been covered in leaves during the fall and the stream of water that pools in the site each make up 105 respectively.  Grasses are minimal but still present at 7%, and man-made toys scatter the area which takes up 3% of the site.

          Fruit from the Bay tree showed teeth and peck marks which indicate that small birds and squirrels have been visiting the area.  Small imprints in the soil mark trails where birds passed through while slimy trails signal the presence of slugs and snails.  A few intricate spider webs hang from the corners of rocks and in between the yellow flowered plant.

          The primary soil type in the site during the fall is muddy due to the rain and the small stream that passes though the site.  As a result, the bay trees and the other plants can dig their roots shallowly into the soil as water is fairly easy to obtain.

          Because there is so much abundance of water, the foliage can take nutrients from it and grow at a higher rate than it would normally.  More fruit and flowers are produced which invites more animals and insects to come to the site.  Overall, the climate is pretty moderate due to the stream and the soil remains relatively wet.

          Although the site is elevated and has a slight slope, many birds and animals are able to access it.  The biggest tree is on the West side while the Eastern side has more plants than trees.  The Eastern side gets the most rain because it is not shielded by the branches of the trees.  Wind gusts are common in the area which dusts the ground with leaves from the bay trees that turn orange as they decompose.

          In the fall there is a lot of rain that prompts small green weeds to sprout up in the soil.  Rapidly the yellow flowered plants spread lining the stream while the bay tree leaves begin to fall because of the wind.  Patches of sunlight cause the yellow flowers to open and bees start roaming around the site.