Assignment for Lab Topic 25

Please note that the required figures are not included on-line but are available in the OSU Bookstore Lab worksheet packet purchased at the beginning of the year at the Bookstore.

Assignment for Lab Topic 25

Ecology I: Terrestrial Ecology

Biology 213

Spring 2006

Goal: To gain an understanding of the trophic levels of a local riparian ecosystem and an understanding of some abiotic environmental factors that influence this ecosystem.

Objectives

1.To estimate the density, frequency, dominance, and species diversity of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, macroinvertebrates, microinvertebrates, and microorganisms found in a riparian ecosystem.

2.To describe the tropic levels of the riparian ecosystem and the relative importance of particular species, using examples from the field data.

3.To describe the abiotic environmental conditions that influence the biotic components of the riparian ecosystem.

Assignment: Write a typed lab report on Lab Topic 25 Ecology I: Terrestrial Ecology, summarizing the collected field data. The back of this page gives guidelines for the structure and content of the report. Pay attention to the italicized instructions. You may copy the non-italicized wording for your report. You are to use the data collected by the entire class, but you must write your own report. The due date for the report will be announced by your lab instructor.

Write the discussion section of your report (one page, single spaced) for an audience who has never been to the Oak Creek site and is interested in knowing more about this particular riparian ecosystem. Write as if your report will be included on the web page Oak Creek Management of the Basinthe website that you reviewed for your pre-lab assignment.

Evaluation: The lab report will be evaluated on completeness (particularly on the summaries of the field data) (3.5 pts), communication, which includes grammar and organization (3.5 pts), and content of the discussion section (5 pts).

Lab Report Lab Topic 25 Ecology I: Terrestrial Ecology

Biology 213

Spring 2006

Name

Goal: To gain an understanding of the trophic levels of a local riparian ecosystem and of some of the abiotic environmental factors that influence this ecosystem.

Objectives

1.To estimate the density, frequency, dominance, and species diversity of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, macroinvertebrates, microinvertebrates, and microorganisms found in a riparian ecosystem.

2.To describe the tropic levels of the riparian ecosystem and the relative importance of particular species, using examples from the field data.

3.To describe the abiotic environmental conditions that influence the biotic components of the riparian ecosystem.

Methods

The methods are described in Lab Topic 25 of the laboratory manual by Morgan, J.G. and Carter, M.E.B. 2002 Investigating Biology, 4th edition, The Benjamin Cummings Publishing Co.

Results

The results are summarized in the attached tables (Table 25.8 - 25.15). [Attach the tables that summarize your field data]

Discussion

1. [Prepare an ecosystem profile. Using the results from your study of the riparian forest, labelthe profile diagram included with this assignment (Figure 25.7). Label the important species in each of the vertical layers of the forest, including trees, shrubs, saplings, vines, and herbs.]

2. [Complete a compartmental model of our riparian ecosystem using the figure included with this assignment (Figure 25.8). Label the trophic levels (primary producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and detritivores and decomposers). Add arrows to represent energy flow from trophic level to trophic level. For each trophic level, list examples from organisms observed from your field data.]

3. [Write a one page single spaced discussion of your results. Review general instructions for the discussion section on first page of this assignment. Picture your audience as someone living in New York City, who wishes to know what a riparian ecosystem in Oregon is like. Include descriptions of vegetation types and vertical layers. Describe the tropic levels and provide examples, using your model as an illustration. Propose features of the physical environment that appear to influence or be influenced by the biotic community.]

Evaluation of Lab Report on Lab Topic 25: Ecology I: Terrestrial Ecology

Biology 213

Spring 2006

COMMUNICATION

Sentence structure