- 29 Mar, 2021
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Ecosystem (under the rock) /AN
In this lesson you will perform experiments, develop conclusions, and write a report of your procedure and findings.
If you work from any outside sources, you will be responsible for citing all sources of your information. If you do not cite your sources, you will not get full credit for the project.
This lab will take at least one month to complete.
Introduction:
Again, this lab will take at least one month to complete, so please give yourself ample time to complete it. To start, take a large non-porous object, such as a cinder-block, a big flat rock, or a piece of tile, and place it in a growing area (a patch of grass is fine) where it can remain undisturbed. (The season is irrelevant.) Be sure to let family members know that the object is to remain as undisturbed as possible, and consult them ahead of time to make sure you’re not placing the object in a place where it will be in the way of a mower or other lawn-care equipment.
Observation:
1. Take a few moments at the time you place your object to observe the environment. Write down a brief description of the place where you are placing your object, mentioning the vegetation types and any insects or other organisms you see.
2. Return to the object each week, but do not disturb it. Report any changes you see in the environment around the object, any increased or decreased moisture, any changes in the coloring of the plant-life, or any organisms you see.
3. At the end of four weeks, move the object. Describe what you see. Be sure to notice any odors or organisms you witness. Are there new plants, fungi, or insects in the area?
Analysis:
Extrapolate what you’ve witnesses to larger human constructs, such as parking lots or shopping centers. What kinds of changes can you expect to happen based on what you’ve witnessed with your experiment? Be sure to mention both the outgoing and incoming organisms.