Site: In front of my house/pond
Date:May 30,2008
Time: 6:53 am
Temp:39.4 degrees F
Weather: It was overcast and a lot of bad looking clouds(rain clouds)-but there was also a lot of blue sky - a slight breeze.
Soil: It was almost dry but the rain today made the soil very damp again today
Hypothesis:Ducks came back but when water was shallow again(need shallow water)
Today the grass was wet because I think it rained a little last night. One of the things I noticed was that the grass in the water was really tall but the water was also really low. I also noticed that the ducks came back but the water is really shallow. But the ducks never came to the pond when the water was high and almost above the grass. Maybe the ducks can't survive when the water is high. Ducks eat grasses at the bottom of the pond and some bugs at the bottom also. But when the water is high they can't reach the grasses and insects. The ducks need water as a survival need to float and eat the grasses but the water can't be too high or else they have to move. The soil is really wet and the grass is really green and is getting really tall also. I'm okay with the rain but I don't want the soil to wash out and get into the pond and make it even more shallow. But I also notice that the duck need the mud to relax and when the water was high there was no mud near the pond, and I did see duck tracks in the mud this morning. There were a few different species of birds this morning that I heard chirping and it made the pond a peaceful place tody. My pond is a thriving ecosystem and has a wonderful enviroment.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Observation 7
Site: In front of my house/pond
Date: May 28, 2008
Time: 7:02 pm
Temp:39.7 degrees F
Weather: It was a little chilly but there was no rain- it was a little overcast and there was sun -a little sprinkling of rain
Soil: The soil was still really wet and damp but not mud anymore. Deep down is still really damp also.
Hypothesis: Male left and female stayed? Did male go take care of ducklings?
When I came home and saw my pond, the most significant thing I saw was that the ducks were back after a long time not coming to the pond. But the male disappeared and the female stayed out in the water. Maybe the male went to take care of the ducklings while the female got to relax. But she was really hard to see because she was using one of her survival needs, which is the grass, and was camoflauging in it. Her camoflauge is also an anti-predator adaption which helps her stay out of danger from bigger birds. While I was watching her, she made some weird motions which I understood what she was doing. She was using one of the abiotic factors, the water, to maybe cool down or wet her feathers. What she would do was instead of just sticking her head under the water to get food, which she was doing also, she would quickly dive under and come back up. She did that four times in a row. Then she saw me and maybe thought of me as a predator or she was just fanning herself. But she basically "stood" on her tail feathers and flapped them rappidly. When that didn't work, she flew off. So maybe I was a predator to her. I didn't see any new organisms or populations today, but I did notice the water is much lowere than it was and the grass is now well above the water. It smelt a little bit of rain because it did sprinkle earlier and the soil is very rich because of the water and the grass is now thriving. I have also noticed the grass and flora communities are thriving around my pond. It was a very calm night and the running water almost put me to sleep as I was just lying in the grass today.
Date: May 28, 2008
Time: 7:02 pm
Temp:39.7 degrees F
Weather: It was a little chilly but there was no rain- it was a little overcast and there was sun -a little sprinkling of rain
Soil: The soil was still really wet and damp but not mud anymore. Deep down is still really damp also.
Hypothesis: Male left and female stayed? Did male go take care of ducklings?
When I came home and saw my pond, the most significant thing I saw was that the ducks were back after a long time not coming to the pond. But the male disappeared and the female stayed out in the water. Maybe the male went to take care of the ducklings while the female got to relax. But she was really hard to see because she was using one of her survival needs, which is the grass, and was camoflauging in it. Her camoflauge is also an anti-predator adaption which helps her stay out of danger from bigger birds. While I was watching her, she made some weird motions which I understood what she was doing. She was using one of the abiotic factors, the water, to maybe cool down or wet her feathers. What she would do was instead of just sticking her head under the water to get food, which she was doing also, she would quickly dive under and come back up. She did that four times in a row. Then she saw me and maybe thought of me as a predator or she was just fanning herself. But she basically "stood" on her tail feathers and flapped them rappidly. When that didn't work, she flew off. So maybe I was a predator to her. I didn't see any new organisms or populations today, but I did notice the water is much lowere than it was and the grass is now well above the water. It smelt a little bit of rain because it did sprinkle earlier and the soil is very rich because of the water and the grass is now thriving. I have also noticed the grass and flora communities are thriving around my pond. It was a very calm night and the running water almost put me to sleep as I was just lying in the grass today.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Works Cited
Wikipedia.com.2008.Wikimedia Foundation Inc. May 21, 2008.[http://en.wikipedia.org]
All About Birds. 2008. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. May 21, 2008[http://birds.cornell.edu/]
US Forest Service.2000. Idaho Panhandle National Forests. May 23, 2008[http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/]
United States Department of Agriculture. 2007.National Resource Conservation Service. May 23, 2008.[http://plants.usda.gov/]
Peters, Geoffrey."Wildflower: Balsamroot". Intangible Northwest.2002.May 23, 2008.(notice that no affiliation with a parent company, insitute or organization was given.)
Slichter, Paul. Balsamhoriza sagittata.May 23, 2008.http://ghs.gresham.k12.or.us/.../daisy/balsam/arrow.htm
Canada Geese.May 21,2008.http://www.livingworldimages.com/2005/11/animal-humo...(notice that there is no original author given because the site didn't give me it.)
All About Birds. 2008. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. May 21, 2008[http://birds.cornell.edu/]
US Forest Service.2000. Idaho Panhandle National Forests. May 23, 2008[http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/]
United States Department of Agriculture. 2007.National Resource Conservation Service. May 23, 2008.[http://plants.usda.gov/]
Peters, Geoffrey."Wildflower: Balsamroot". Intangible Northwest.2002.May 23, 2008.
Slichter, Paul. Balsamhoriza sagittata.May 23, 2008.http://ghs.gresham.k12.or.us/.../daisy/balsam/arrow.htm
Canada Geese.May 21,2008.http://www.livingworldimages.com/2005/11/animal-humo...(notice that there is no original author given because the site didn't give me it.)
Flora
Christian Doyle
Ms. Overly
Honors Science 9- Pd. 2
May 22, 2008
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
A wild flower called balsamroot covers the hill above my pond with bright yellow colors. Balsamroots are called Balsamorhiza sagittata in scientist talk, which is its genus and species, and cover wide ranges of area. The flowers are bright yellow, with a darker yellow center forming an arrowhead shape. The leaves that grow from the base of the plant are silver gray rather than a green. They are that color because they are covered with fine short hairs. Balsamroot can be 1 to 2 feet tall, with the flowers 4 to 5 inches long and the leaves are 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. Balsamroot bloom from late April to early July therefore they are perennials, which are flowers that come back every year. I have a large population of balsamroot that has located itself above the pond. They need a lot of sunlight especially after a week of rain, and without it, they lose one of their survival needs and die. Balsamroot couldn’t be able to live in forests because the trees reduce the amount of sunlight and they need a lot of it. These wild flowers, not weeds, live in sunny open hillsides, sagebrush, and other open areas. The younger plants tend to be a brighter in color on the flower, with even more silver on the leaves. The older flowers are a darker yellow and the leaves are a more greenish color. Balsamroot does not reproduce after their first year. Their seeds are in the center of the flower and that’s how they reproduce. But they can be carried to other places when animals eat them then leaving the area. Balsamroots are food for several organisms such as bighorn sheep, elk and deer. The Native Americans used several parts of the plant. For example the leaves were used as a treatment for burns, cuts, wounds and bruises. The leaves were also used for healing tea for tuberculosis, headaches and other sicknesses. The balsamroot is also edible to humans.
Ms. Overly
Honors Science 9- Pd. 2
May 22, 2008
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
A wild flower called balsamroot covers the hill above my pond with bright yellow colors. Balsamroots are called Balsamorhiza sagittata in scientist talk, which is its genus and species, and cover wide ranges of area. The flowers are bright yellow, with a darker yellow center forming an arrowhead shape. The leaves that grow from the base of the plant are silver gray rather than a green. They are that color because they are covered with fine short hairs. Balsamroot can be 1 to 2 feet tall, with the flowers 4 to 5 inches long and the leaves are 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. Balsamroot bloom from late April to early July therefore they are perennials, which are flowers that come back every year. I have a large population of balsamroot that has located itself above the pond. They need a lot of sunlight especially after a week of rain, and without it, they lose one of their survival needs and die. Balsamroot couldn’t be able to live in forests because the trees reduce the amount of sunlight and they need a lot of it. These wild flowers, not weeds, live in sunny open hillsides, sagebrush, and other open areas. The younger plants tend to be a brighter in color on the flower, with even more silver on the leaves. The older flowers are a darker yellow and the leaves are a more greenish color. Balsamroot does not reproduce after their first year. Their seeds are in the center of the flower and that’s how they reproduce. But they can be carried to other places when animals eat them then leaving the area. Balsamroots are food for several organisms such as bighorn sheep, elk and deer. The Native Americans used several parts of the plant. For example the leaves were used as a treatment for burns, cuts, wounds and bruises. The leaves were also used for healing tea for tuberculosis, headaches and other sicknesses. The balsamroot is also edible to humans.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Observation 6
Site: In front of my house/pond
Date: May 25, 2008
Time: 7:02 pm
Temp: 42.3 degrees F
Weather: Raining all day- cloudy and no sun
Soil: the soil is mud, so that must mean even deep down the soil is soaked- the rain all week long has turned all the dirt into mud
Hypothesis: It is good that we have had so much rain but will the rain drown the grass(maybe it will)
When I looked at my area when I went through the door, one of the most significant things I saw was that the water was so high that the grass that is in the water is covered. This almost lessens the high biodiversity this pond has because if the grass is flooded, then some organisms and populations can't live here. But the grass above the pond is getting really tall and is about up to the bottoms of my knees. Surprisingly more species and populations keep on coming to this big community and environment. One more bird species has come around the pond, that is the hummingbird. Although they are small, they increase the biodiversity of the area and eat some types of bugs around the area. Around my area, it has been raining so much that I almost can't here the creek running because it doesn't have anything to run over, it just flows. But it has also caused the trees to bud but no blooming yet and everything to become the greenest I have ever seen it. But the only thing I am worried about is the water flooding some of the area killing some important biotic factors that are very important to this environment. Such as some baby willows being covered in water and little pine trees that are being overwhelmed. I can't wait for all the willows and aspens to bloom, it is going to be an amazing area to see as soon as everything has bloomed. Hopefully we start getting some sun because organisms that need the sun for one of their survival needs need it soon. We have had rain all week and no sun. I don't want my area to become a dead wasteland.
Date: May 25, 2008
Time: 7:02 pm
Temp: 42.3 degrees F
Weather: Raining all day- cloudy and no sun
Soil: the soil is mud, so that must mean even deep down the soil is soaked- the rain all week long has turned all the dirt into mud
Hypothesis: It is good that we have had so much rain but will the rain drown the grass(maybe it will)
When I looked at my area when I went through the door, one of the most significant things I saw was that the water was so high that the grass that is in the water is covered. This almost lessens the high biodiversity this pond has because if the grass is flooded, then some organisms and populations can't live here. But the grass above the pond is getting really tall and is about up to the bottoms of my knees. Surprisingly more species and populations keep on coming to this big community and environment. One more bird species has come around the pond, that is the hummingbird. Although they are small, they increase the biodiversity of the area and eat some types of bugs around the area. Around my area, it has been raining so much that I almost can't here the creek running because it doesn't have anything to run over, it just flows. But it has also caused the trees to bud but no blooming yet and everything to become the greenest I have ever seen it. But the only thing I am worried about is the water flooding some of the area killing some important biotic factors that are very important to this environment. Such as some baby willows being covered in water and little pine trees that are being overwhelmed. I can't wait for all the willows and aspens to bloom, it is going to be an amazing area to see as soon as everything has bloomed. Hopefully we start getting some sun because organisms that need the sun for one of their survival needs need it soon. We have had rain all week and no sun. I don't want my area to become a dead wasteland.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Observation 5
Site: In front of my house/pond
Date: May 22, 2008
Time: 6:47 am
Temp: 46.7 degrees F
Weather: Cloudy, I don't see the sun, raining and sprinkling
Soil: Very wet/damp, after a whole day and night of rain, even deep down is wet/damp
Hypothesis: There is a bigger tree across pond- I thought it was a willow but I don't know(I think it is a willow)
When I went to my site this morning, the first thing I noticed was that the pond water was really high and was covering most of the grass that lives in the water. The muddy areas were gone and I think there was a fish in there today. Due to the non-stop rain that we have had for two days, everything is green and there is nothing else dead in or around my pond. Along with everything being green, the grass has also grown a couple of inches and its becoming a greater ecosystem. The grass is thriving off the contant flow of water that keeps dirty water out of the pond. Different popultations are coming in such as a snake that was in the grass. The snake, I noticed, used a anti-predator adaption by blending in with the grass but also benefits from the tall grass so raptors from the air don't see them. Since a snake has come into this enviroment, there is another predator vs. prey game going on. Although I haven't seen any, there must be some species of mice living around the area. One other thing I noticed is that all of the willows have budded but not bloomed. Even the aspens have buds on them and willows I think will start popping because of this constant rain. But we also need some sunlight for willows to bloom for it is one of their survival needs. The changes that I saw today were that the pond was higher, the grass is much greener and taller, the willows are budding, there is a snake at my pond now and the ducks weren't there today. Today I could here the rain falling on the pond water and I could smell the aroma of the rain also. I am pretty sure the the bigger a tree across the pond is a willow and I also think the snake is a garder snake.
Date: May 22, 2008
Time: 6:47 am
Temp: 46.7 degrees F
Weather: Cloudy, I don't see the sun, raining and sprinkling
Soil: Very wet/damp, after a whole day and night of rain, even deep down is wet/damp
Hypothesis: There is a bigger tree across pond- I thought it was a willow but I don't know(I think it is a willow)
When I went to my site this morning, the first thing I noticed was that the pond water was really high and was covering most of the grass that lives in the water. The muddy areas were gone and I think there was a fish in there today. Due to the non-stop rain that we have had for two days, everything is green and there is nothing else dead in or around my pond. Along with everything being green, the grass has also grown a couple of inches and its becoming a greater ecosystem. The grass is thriving off the contant flow of water that keeps dirty water out of the pond. Different popultations are coming in such as a snake that was in the grass. The snake, I noticed, used a anti-predator adaption by blending in with the grass but also benefits from the tall grass so raptors from the air don't see them. Since a snake has come into this enviroment, there is another predator vs. prey game going on. Although I haven't seen any, there must be some species of mice living around the area. One other thing I noticed is that all of the willows have budded but not bloomed. Even the aspens have buds on them and willows I think will start popping because of this constant rain. But we also need some sunlight for willows to bloom for it is one of their survival needs. The changes that I saw today were that the pond was higher, the grass is much greener and taller, the willows are budding, there is a snake at my pond now and the ducks weren't there today. Today I could here the rain falling on the pond water and I could smell the aroma of the rain also. I am pretty sure the the bigger a tree across the pond is a willow and I also think the snake is a garder snake.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Canada Geese
Christian Doyle
Ms. Overly
Honors Enviromental Geology- Pd.2
May 19, 2008
Canada Geese
Ms. Overly
Honors Enviromental Geology- Pd.2
May 19, 2008
Canada Geese
One of the organisms that live in my pond in front of my house are Canada Geese or as scientists call them Branta Canadensis. These geese are native around the United States and are very popular around the valley. Geese have a black and white body with a black neck and a white “chinstrap.” Geese stand 30-43 inches long with a 50-71 inch wing span. Males can be 7-14 pounds and females can be 5.5-12 pounds. Geese are able to reproduce the second year of their lives when they become mature. When geese find their mate, they stay with them all of their lives. Around the end of March and April, during (http://www.livingworldimages.com/Canada%20goose%20(Branta%20canadensis).mating season, females lay 4-8 large, creamy, white eggs that they will stay with constantly. The eggs hatch in 25- 30 days and the young are covered with yellowish down feathers. Male geese construct their nests on raised sites near the water’s edge and bring food for the females. Geese are migrating birds, and migrate from Jackson every flying in a V formation for up to 4000 miles. Because they are able to fly 4000 miles, it benefits them because if the place they want to go isn’t warm enough, then they can just keep going. Canada geese are native to North America and their habitats are lakes ponds marshes and rivers. They eat aquatic plants, insects, grass seeds crops and other things under the water. The only predators geese have are larger meat-eating mammals, such as the Great Horned Owl, and their goslings may be taken by snapping turtles. The geese’s webbed feet leave triangular shaped tracks. These loud birds are nicknamed honkers because of its distinct honking sound. Geese help keep populations of insects down and also help keep aquatic plants from growing too much in the water. However they also provide food for other animals. These birds need water and trees such as willows to protect them, and need grass and aquatic plants for food. Some live in pairs and when it’s time to migrate then they fly as a flock. They don’t need an extensive habitat, as long as geese have enough water, food sources and protection; they are very flexible with where they live.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Observation 4
Site: In front of my house/pond
Date: May 16, 2008
Time: 6:43 am
Temp: 30.1 degrees F
Weather: Blue sky, the sun was peeking over the hill, looks like a good day
Soil: The soil was a little damp due to the dew in the mornings but again there hasn't been enough precipitation for the soil deep down to be damp
Hypothesis: The trees don't have buds but do willows have flowers or buds - just leaves(yes? no?)
The trees still haven't budded but yes willows do have buds. Around my area I have Peachleaf willows and in between leaves are white, orange and red little buds. The grass had water all over them, and when I walked around in it, my shoes got really wet. The grass is really green but definately not long. There are some dead twigs around but the enviroment is thriving off these nutrients from trees and grasses. The community got a little bigger today with a population of chickadee's hanging around in the willows. The chickadees would also use both the abiotic and biotic factors around the pond. They would use the abiotic factors which were the rocks and land on them so they could get their food. Biotic factors. Once again the biodiversity is so high around my pond that a few more populations of organisms would be able to live here. Because the chickadees have came to the pond, the ecosystem has changed because of its interaction with its enviroment. The biodiverisity is higher with these little birds hanging around the pond. But because another population has come to the pond, there is a little more competion for the food sources and survival needs around. There aren't very many insects other than the water skippers on it. One of the sounds I heard that I haven't heard yet while at my site is a Mourning Dove. I couldn't see them because they have a good anti-predator adaption by camoflauging. I could hear them singing though and that was one thing I could hear.
Date: May 16, 2008
Time: 6:43 am
Temp: 30.1 degrees F
Weather: Blue sky, the sun was peeking over the hill, looks like a good day
Soil: The soil was a little damp due to the dew in the mornings but again there hasn't been enough precipitation for the soil deep down to be damp
Hypothesis: The trees don't have buds but do willows have flowers or buds - just leaves(yes? no?)
The trees still haven't budded but yes willows do have buds. Around my area I have Peachleaf willows and in between leaves are white, orange and red little buds. The grass had water all over them, and when I walked around in it, my shoes got really wet. The grass is really green but definately not long. There are some dead twigs around but the enviroment is thriving off these nutrients from trees and grasses. The community got a little bigger today with a population of chickadee's hanging around in the willows. The chickadees would also use both the abiotic and biotic factors around the pond. They would use the abiotic factors which were the rocks and land on them so they could get their food. Biotic factors. Once again the biodiversity is so high around my pond that a few more populations of organisms would be able to live here. Because the chickadees have came to the pond, the ecosystem has changed because of its interaction with its enviroment. The biodiverisity is higher with these little birds hanging around the pond. But because another population has come to the pond, there is a little more competion for the food sources and survival needs around. There aren't very many insects other than the water skippers on it. One of the sounds I heard that I haven't heard yet while at my site is a Mourning Dove. I couldn't see them because they have a good anti-predator adaption by camoflauging. I could hear them singing though and that was one thing I could hear.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Observation 3
Site: In front of my house/pond
Date: May 14, 2008
Time: 9:02
Temp: 45.5
Weather: Very cloudy, no sun is peeking through, looks like it was going to rain- there is a little wind
Soil: The soil is a little more damp because of the sprinkles of rain that we had, but farther down is still dry.
Hypothesis: There is a yellow tree that doesn't look like any other one around(willow????)
At my observation site, the many species of grass have grown and have gotten much greener. There is no more yellow grass because of the little showers we've been getting once in a while. The willows have grown a little but the pine hasn't shown any signs of improvement. The cotton woods around my house but not the pond have some little buds on them though. There is one yellow tree that I thought was a willow but wasn't sure of it. But I was right, it is a type of willow called the yellow willow. It has yellow branches but no blooming has occurred on it either. Because of these many trees and grasses, the biodiversity just keeps getting higher and higher. This helps the organisms that live here, for they don't need to be worried about losing a survival need. The population of ducks weren't there at the pond today nor was the population of the geese. Although there weren't many organisms there today, the community on the pond is big. One change I noticed is at the bases of some of the willows, there are some symbiotic relationships going on. Commensalism is going on, there is moss on the bottoms of the willows, the moss is benefitting from the willow and the willow isn't being harmed. Maybe it was too hot of a day today, but there were no insects on the pond, it was a quiet day at the water. The only change I saw at my pond was that there were no ducks or geese and there was moss on the trees. I think I could hear the water running faster because there is more running in it. There were signs of ducks, the duck tracks showed that but there was also dried up deer poop on the other side of the pond. The deer love this type of enviroment with water trees, grasses and other organisms to interact with. Although it was a quiet day, it was loud in its own way.
Date: May 14, 2008
Time: 9:02
Temp: 45.5
Weather: Very cloudy, no sun is peeking through, looks like it was going to rain- there is a little wind
Soil: The soil is a little more damp because of the sprinkles of rain that we had, but farther down is still dry.
Hypothesis: There is a yellow tree that doesn't look like any other one around(willow????)
At my observation site, the many species of grass have grown and have gotten much greener. There is no more yellow grass because of the little showers we've been getting once in a while. The willows have grown a little but the pine hasn't shown any signs of improvement. The cotton woods around my house but not the pond have some little buds on them though. There is one yellow tree that I thought was a willow but wasn't sure of it. But I was right, it is a type of willow called the yellow willow. It has yellow branches but no blooming has occurred on it either. Because of these many trees and grasses, the biodiversity just keeps getting higher and higher. This helps the organisms that live here, for they don't need to be worried about losing a survival need. The population of ducks weren't there at the pond today nor was the population of the geese. Although there weren't many organisms there today, the community on the pond is big. One change I noticed is at the bases of some of the willows, there are some symbiotic relationships going on. Commensalism is going on, there is moss on the bottoms of the willows, the moss is benefitting from the willow and the willow isn't being harmed. Maybe it was too hot of a day today, but there were no insects on the pond, it was a quiet day at the water. The only change I saw at my pond was that there were no ducks or geese and there was moss on the trees. I think I could hear the water running faster because there is more running in it. There were signs of ducks, the duck tracks showed that but there was also dried up deer poop on the other side of the pond. The deer love this type of enviroment with water trees, grasses and other organisms to interact with. Although it was a quiet day, it was loud in its own way.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Observation 2
Site: In front of my house/ a pond
Date: May 6, 2008
Time: 8:01 pm
Temp: 59.9 degrees F
Weather: Some blue sky but mostly cloudy, no wind, clouds to NE looked like rain clouds
Soil: In the water, VERY wet/muddy, soil next to water is damp, but everywhere else is really dry
Hypothesis: Ducks on the pond and are eating things under water?(grasses, or bugs?) Answer in report
At my observation site there are many types of grasses around the pond and some types of trees and bushes. But none of the willows have buds on them and they haven't bloomed at all. Since there are numerous species of grasses and they are all over, they increase the biodiversity around the pond. Also because there are a ton of grasses for animals to eat, there is no competion for food and no animals will die because one of their survival needs are gone. The population of ducks and geece have a daily appointment with the pond. They hang out in the muddy areas and hang over the sides to eat.Both ducks and geece eat a lot of vegitation such grasses under water and above. They also eat little insects that live in the pond. They both interact with each other but the ducks at the pond during my observation were interacting with each other. The male and the female ducks were both eating but the female was pigging out and the male was rarely putting his head down. The male was very contious and was looking over the female. He saw me and protected her from me. Another thing I noticed was that the ducks were only staying in the grassy area and they weren't going into the water. Sometimes it was really hard to see the female. The male has a green head and a white body and he is usually pretty easy to see. But the female was using one of the anti-predator adaptions. She camoflauges really well with the grasses and it doesn't even look like she is there when she is laying in the grasses. Although ducks are on the bottom of the food chain because they only eat grasses and insects, the one thing below them are insects. There are water spiders floating in the water and the ducks eat them too. Some things I heard were running, water ducks making little noises, there were other birds chirping and the ducks swimming in the water. Some of the smells were the smell of fire because someone was burning. Some sights I saw were duck tracks in mud, lots of green grass, little pines around pond and there were also some willows.
Date: May 6, 2008
Time: 8:01 pm
Temp: 59.9 degrees F
Weather: Some blue sky but mostly cloudy, no wind, clouds to NE looked like rain clouds
Soil: In the water, VERY wet/muddy, soil next to water is damp, but everywhere else is really dry
Hypothesis: Ducks on the pond and are eating things under water?(grasses, or bugs?) Answer in report
At my observation site there are many types of grasses around the pond and some types of trees and bushes. But none of the willows have buds on them and they haven't bloomed at all. Since there are numerous species of grasses and they are all over, they increase the biodiversity around the pond. Also because there are a ton of grasses for animals to eat, there is no competion for food and no animals will die because one of their survival needs are gone. The population of ducks and geece have a daily appointment with the pond. They hang out in the muddy areas and hang over the sides to eat.Both ducks and geece eat a lot of vegitation such grasses under water and above. They also eat little insects that live in the pond. They both interact with each other but the ducks at the pond during my observation were interacting with each other. The male and the female ducks were both eating but the female was pigging out and the male was rarely putting his head down. The male was very contious and was looking over the female. He saw me and protected her from me. Another thing I noticed was that the ducks were only staying in the grassy area and they weren't going into the water. Sometimes it was really hard to see the female. The male has a green head and a white body and he is usually pretty easy to see. But the female was using one of the anti-predator adaptions. She camoflauges really well with the grasses and it doesn't even look like she is there when she is laying in the grasses. Although ducks are on the bottom of the food chain because they only eat grasses and insects, the one thing below them are insects. There are water spiders floating in the water and the ducks eat them too. Some things I heard were running, water ducks making little noises, there were other birds chirping and the ducks swimming in the water. Some of the smells were the smell of fire because someone was burning. Some sights I saw were duck tracks in mud, lots of green grass, little pines around pond and there were also some willows.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Observation 1: Description of Area
Site: In front of my house/a pond
Date: May 6, 2008
Time: 8:01 pm
Temp: 59.9 degrees F
Weather: Some blue sky but mostly cloudy, no wind, clouds to NE looked like rain clouds
Soil: In the water, VERY wet/ muddy, soil next to water, little damp, but everywhere else was very dry
The observation area is just off the side of Porcupine Creek Road near Hoback Junction. The area includes a small pond with a stream running into the pond and then a stream running out of it. Although people sometimes dig out the pond to get the mud out and make it deeper, the pond and stream are not man made. There is a deep soil/rock surface with many roots from grasses to hold dirt in place. This helps so that dirt doesn't keep running into the pond. The pond has a thriving ecosystem with different species of animals and plants. The soil conditions change due to precipitation and helps the plants grow. As for the flora, there are many species of grasses, some willows outline the pond and there are three little pines growing in the corner of the pond. As the pines grow, they will provide shelter and protection to other organisms. There are also many grasses in the pond which make it easier for the birds such as mallard ducks to get food. With lots of willows and pines around, in the future, it will be a well protected area. There are many grasses and in the summer those grasses should grow a lot and get taller. The abiotic factors in this enviroment are mud and rocks. The mud affects the water because it shapes the way the water is flowing. There are also rocks in the pond which causes the calming noise of the water running. The biotic factors are that there a lot of grasses that keep the biodiversity high and allows duck populations and geese populations to come and make it a bigger community. Although a good habitat includes a lot of space for organisms, the pond is relatively small but supports a lot. There is water flowing in and out of the pond I know that deer usually come and sometimes moose wander through the area. My dogs love the pond for it is a place to cool off in the summer.
Date: May 6, 2008
Time: 8:01 pm
Temp: 59.9 degrees F
Weather: Some blue sky but mostly cloudy, no wind, clouds to NE looked like rain clouds
Soil: In the water, VERY wet/ muddy, soil next to water, little damp, but everywhere else was very dry
The observation area is just off the side of Porcupine Creek Road near Hoback Junction. The area includes a small pond with a stream running into the pond and then a stream running out of it. Although people sometimes dig out the pond to get the mud out and make it deeper, the pond and stream are not man made. There is a deep soil/rock surface with many roots from grasses to hold dirt in place. This helps so that dirt doesn't keep running into the pond. The pond has a thriving ecosystem with different species of animals and plants. The soil conditions change due to precipitation and helps the plants grow. As for the flora, there are many species of grasses, some willows outline the pond and there are three little pines growing in the corner of the pond. As the pines grow, they will provide shelter and protection to other organisms. There are also many grasses in the pond which make it easier for the birds such as mallard ducks to get food. With lots of willows and pines around, in the future, it will be a well protected area. There are many grasses and in the summer those grasses should grow a lot and get taller. The abiotic factors in this enviroment are mud and rocks. The mud affects the water because it shapes the way the water is flowing. There are also rocks in the pond which causes the calming noise of the water running. The biotic factors are that there a lot of grasses that keep the biodiversity high and allows duck populations and geese populations to come and make it a bigger community. Although a good habitat includes a lot of space for organisms, the pond is relatively small but supports a lot. There is water flowing in and out of the pond I know that deer usually come and sometimes moose wander through the area. My dogs love the pond for it is a place to cool off in the summer.
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