Biodiversity: Interdependence of Species Results: Round Species

Biodiversity:

Interdependence of Species Results: Round Species Missing (Bead Color and Name)

Species

Color

Red

Flowers

Yellow

Bees

Orange

Trees

Blue

Humans

If trees and flowers were not part of the ecosystem, then there would be a lack of food for bees, lack of pollination for flowers, and then lack of agriculture for humans.

Explain how the ecosystem was affected by the missing species for each round of the demonstration.

Round 1 = Flowers removed

Round 2= Bees removed

Round 3= Trees removed

Round 4= Humans removed

In the first round, the flowers were removed which also removed food for the bees; in the second round there were no bees to pollinate the remaining trees; in the third round there were no trees to protect, shelter and encourage flora; in the last round no humans, which had the least effect on the entire ecosystem, but without flowers, bees and trees; humans would not exist.

Hypothesis confirmed -- there is a causal relationship between species; flowers and trees need bees to pollinate and produce seeds for next generation; seeds of some are eaten by humans as well as provide for agriculture; bees are essential to pollinate and ensure agricultural reproduction.

2. Provide one action we as humans engage in that leads to the extinction of each of these components:

a. Lichens = Lichens are symbiotic with fungi and algae, yet human actions like the introduction of hostile species hinder lichens.

b. Trees = Over logging and lack of preplanning for resources.

c. Flowers = Removing natural environments to grow certain cops ruins the land. Pollution (run off, acid rain, etc.).

d. Bees = Pollution and potential infections of hives due to a lack of biodiversity (Hogan, 2010).

3. Provide three specific actions that humans can take to minimize our impact on the ecosystem and ensure the survival of lichens, trees, flowers and breed:

a. Action 1 = Plan logging and other deforestation with an eye to sustainability. Minimize logging projects in areas that are bio sensitive (Amazon, etc.).

b. Action 2 = Treat waste water before it flows into the water table or eventually into rivers, lakes and the ocean. Increase regulations to eliminate water pollution.

c. Action 3 = Work with both developed and developing countries to minimize air pollution; which will minimize toxic or acid rain and/or chemicals in the environment that damage flora and fauna (Pacific NW National Laboratory, 2013).

Experiment 1- Diversity of Plants

Table 2

Species

Pot 1

Pot 2

Total

Zinnia

4

2

6

Marigold

0

2

2

Morning Glory

0

2

2

Cosmos

1

1

2

Rye Grass

1

0

1

Total Species

3

4

Hypothesis: If all seeds are scattered randomly, at the end of the experiment there will be more rye grass.

1. The hypothesis was denied, rye grass was not the most pervasive of the species, and the revised hypothesis reads: If all seeds are scattered randomly, at the end of the experiment there will be more zinnias.

2. There are a total of 5 species in the entire sample; 3 in Pot 1, 4 in Pot 2; Rye Grass was the only species not to sprout in Pot 2.

3. Zinnia germinated the best for a total of 6 germinations in Pots 1 and 2; Marigolds, Morning Glory and Cosmos all had 2 germinations, Rye Grass only 1. Rye Grass germinated only in Pot 1 and was absent in Pot 2.

4. If the Pots were studied as a basis for the health of a bio system we would assume that, in general, the system was healthy because in total all species germinated and there was a fair equilibrium between 4 of the 5 species. It is also possible that Rye Grass takes longer to germinate, or requires a certain temperature or other conditions, leaving us with the notion that if these species could coexist together, there must be equilibrium in the system.