Observations of Biotic Components under Light and Dissecting Microscopes

Hello everybody!

We went ahead and looked at our Water and our Soil under a microscope!

In our water, we were unable to identify any organisms, but were able to identify small pieces of dirt. This was clarified after three different observations. Below, I only post our take 1 and 2, as the trend is obvious!

Take 1- Only dirt

Take 2- Again, only dirt

When observing our Soil, we were able to identify small insect type creatures moving around the soil particles. However, after inspection, we identified these creatures to be some of the ants we placed in the soil about one week ago. So other than that, nothing (other than a few twigs really was identified).

As you can see, nothing in our soil!

In this part of the project, Daniel was the one who observed the soil and the water, whilst cell scoping them, and Redwald and Calven were the ones who attempted to identify any organisms in the water in soil. This was really difficult, as they weren't able to identify much other than lifeless matter. 

Over and Out

RDC

The Current State of our Aqua Zone

Data Collection of Abiotic Components of our Eco-Column

Hi all!

We have been asked to record three sets of data for the following Abiotic Factors, and so will show you our exact recordings:

• The temperature of our Aqua Zone, which was recorded at: 27°C; 25°C; and 26°C.
• The temperature of the room, recorded at: 24°C; 27°C;and 25°C

All these things would affect our Eco-Column's Biotic components, and one could relate all the Biotic Changes to the above Abiotic components. 

The Aqua Zone really hasn't changed too much over the past few weeks, other than the temperature increasing- thanks to the outside temperature. There have been no organisms identified, and it has become a lot dirtier than it has been previously.

The Decomposition Zone's temperature was recorded at 30°C, proving that it is very humid inside, which is due to it being a concealed area. This is almost perfect for the Fruit Flies to reproduce and feed on the rotting matter. Therefore, due to the temperature, more Fruits Flies are present, and therefore more maggots are present!

In the Terra Zone, our plant has died, which can be linked to the temperature of the room. But, I do not believe the temperature of the room is the key factor for the plant's death, but it could have contributed to it. 

We were also asked to measure the pH of our Aqua Zone. To make things clear, the pH show how acidic or alkaline a solution is.

We tested this three times, but since our paper turned from purple to blue all three times, it was proven that our water is alkaline.

Our paper turned blue in the water- therefore it is Alkaline!

When determining the pH levels of the water, we didn't find to have too many difficulties. This is always a good thing!

Other factors are affecting our Eco-Column, including the lighting that it is receiving, and the simulated rain water it receives.

Our plant has died, which can be due to the temperature of the room, but it is more to do with the lighting of the room, and the water received. Due to the classroom only having light for around ten hours a day, the plant is unable to perform Photosynthesis to the extent it needs to survive. Also, it isn't receiving the water it needs to survive, which we all take full responsibility for, as it is our job to supply it with the adequate water supplies. 

In this part of the task, Calven was the one who collected all the data and Daniel and Redwald were the boys who decided what influences the Abiotic factors had on the Eco-Column.

Over and Out

RDC

Biotic Components of our Eco-Column

Hey everybody!

It's been around three weeks since we built and stocked our Eco-Column, and now have been given the task to update you on the various changes of the Biotic components of our Eco-System!

We would love to inform you of lots of Quantitative Data on our plant, the Peperomia Zulu Bean, but this isn't possible. This is due to the fact that our plant has died, which we will try to replace as soon as possible. We have identified various causes for the death of our plant, including:

• The lighting of the Biology Classroom was not sufficient, as our teacher (Mr. Kerbelker) only has the lights in his classroom on for around 10 hours a day.
• We haven't tendered to our plant as much as we would like, as we only have lessons in the class twice a week. So we would only water it on these days.

As I've said, we will try to replace our plant, with one that is more suited to the conditions of the classroom. And we should maybe find more time to look after it, by watering it during any spare time we can gain permission to use the class. 

The Depressing Sight of our Dead Plant, and the State of our Terra Zone

We have identified many new organisms that have almost magically appeared around and in our Eco-Column. Including Maggots, Fruit Flies and some Insect Larvae. Had we gone the unhygienic route, I am sure we could have found far more life forms.

We found dozens of Maggots, mainly in our Decomposition Zone, but we have also found some in the Terra Zone, as our plant is now being decomposed as well! They would have appeared as fruit flies would have found a way into our Eco-Column, and would have begun to feed on our Decomposition Zone. Whilst doing this, then would have laid Larvae, and so the maggots were formed. 

The Fruit Flies have come about in our Decomposition Zone, as we are leaving various fruits (and other matter) to basically rot. They feed on the fruits, and then often leave Larvae which will produce maggots. We must have noticed around 20 fruits flies circling and inhabiting our Eco-Column.
Two of our four Earthworms have actually remained alive! We noticed them 'squirming' around our soil, which I find to be extraordinary that they have made it this far. They are only in our Terra Zone, as the ones in the Decomposition Zone have died.

Our Current Decomposition Zone:

This was the best picture we could take, as it was difficult to show the actual 'tiny' organisms that now inhabit the zone.

Calven and Daniel were the ones who did the identifying and counting of the different organisms, and Redwald was taking care of researching the different reasons for the death of our plant.

Over and Out

RDC