User:Esha B. Dholia/Notebook/Biology 210 at AU

Biology 210 - January 22, 2015

Initial Transect Observations & Notes - January 15, 2015

This lab is an ongoing experiment, in which a particular transect of land and its ecological diversity on the American University will be observed by a group of students for several weeks. The purpose of this lab is to take note of the features of that particular transect in order to begin conceptualizing the immense diversity present within a single ecosystem.

Materials & Methods: The group was assigned transect 4, one of the six 20x20 parcels of land students in the class will be responsible for observing over a few weeks. In terms of what could be variable in later observations of this transect, the weather should certainly be taken into consideration; because data is being gathered in the winter, the number of plants grown in the garden and the organisms seen in the garden could be different from what's seen during other times of the year. The group was responsible for noting all aspects of this transect of land, including its situation, biotic and abiotic factors, and other characteristics. Upon completing the observations, the group collected a 50 mL sample of soil and ground vegetation in a sterile conical tube - meant to represent the transect - to make a Hay Infusion culture.

Data & Observations: This lab group was assigned transect four, which is located within the American University community garden next to the tennis courts, towards the back of the campus. Transect 4 is located in a relatively relatively isolated area, though it is certainly well-kept and tended to often. The transect is located on a flat piece of land.

Pictured below is an aerial-view diagram of the transect.

Conclusions & Future Directions: Some of the biotic, or living, features of this transect include the fruits and vegetables and weeds growing in the garden, birds, earthworms, and ants. The vegetables were found growing in the four vegetable beds, and the weeds were found in these beds as well as in the surrounding soil and mulch. We witnessed birds flying above the transect and presume that they eat the seeds and leaves of the vegetation in the garden. Though we did not witness any ants or earthworms, we conjectured they would be present in this environment as they are organisms that are often found in gardens and similar environments. We expect both of these organisms can be found crawling about in both the garden beds and the surrounding mulch.

Some of the abiotic, or nonliving, features of this transect include the mulch, the planters, the irrigation system, the soil, and the water. Mulch, made of a mix of tan bark and other dead organic matter such as dead leaves and plants, is present throughout this transect, and is on the ground surrounding all the planters. The planters themselves are made of wood, and house all of the vegetation purposefully grown on this transect. The irrigation system is a series of pipes that runs throughout this transect and is responsible for bringing water to the planters. Soil is found in the beds in which the plants are meant to grow, and water is nearly everywhere, including in the soil and in the mulch.