Taking Action!

Emma Hosack and I went to her plot near Plaster Creek and picked up some trash around that area! Here is what we picked up...

It's hard to believe that so much trash can accumulate in one small area! For now at least, it is all picked up! Here is a pic of the trash-free plot...

Biotic or Not?

Abiotic:
-dirt
-water
-sunlight
-air pressure
-rocks
-temperature
Biotic:
-frog
-turtle
-tree
-flower
-algae
-shrubs
-weeds
-squirrels
-bunnies
-flies
-spiders
-fish
-dragonfly
-bumble bee
-mosquitoes

Looking Closely

My first two photos are of a water sample that I took from my plot. It looks like a combination of algae and larva.  It is amazing...you could never see that with only your eyes! The top picture is taken with the 10x lense and the second is taken wtih the 4x lense. I would have never thought so much was actually growing in the water.

My third picture is my favorite.  It is a leaf that I took from my plot.  The leaf almost looks like it has human veins...it reminds me that tress and leafs are very alive with the world. It makes me wonder what all the little dots on the picture are...investigation/hypothesis time!

My Plot Is An Ecosystem

1)
Species: Bee
Population: Colony of Bees
Community: Bees, Butterflies, Dragonflies
Ecosystem: Trees, Flowers (polon), Algae, Bees, Butterflies, Dragonflies

2)
Species: Deer
Population: Herd of Deer
Community: Deer, Racoon, Possum
Ecosystem: Trees, Brush/bark, Insects, Plants, Deer, Racoon, Possum

Expression Project

Meet My Plot!

Meet My Plot

Emily, Biology

September 7, 2011

                When I was deciding where I was going to do my plot study, I decided to choose a place where people have taken extra measures to make sure this place has been able to grow without the ‘outside world’ interfering with it.  My plot is located on the East Beltline between Burton and Lake Dr. in Calvin College’s ecosystem preserve.  When I first saw my plot I made a few observations.  I noticed there was a pond with many trees outlining it.  Also, there was algae growing on top of the pond that seemed to look like carpet across the surface.  I was able to see a turtle sitting on top of a rock in the water and a frog sitting in the foliage between some trees.  There were dragonflies, grasshoppers, and crickets that were all contributing to a different song.  There were many trees that were growing right in the water.  On a more concerning note, there were also some trees that were dying. Hopefully during this project I can come up with a reason on why this may be happening! I am excited to go back and see the changes that happen during the next few weeks.