Group Members
Ana I. and Juna G.
Problem
What is the human impact on the succession of the nature trail at Heritage High School?
Materials
map
meter stick
lab packet (to record findings)
calculator
meter stick
lab packet (to record findings)
calculator
Procedure
1. Choose a group of 3 to 4 people.
2. Take a map, meter stick,and lab packet and go to the nature trail.
3. Choose an area of early succession and lay down the meter stick to measure an area of 1 meter squared.
4. Observe the area for plant and animal species.
5. Move the meter stick one meter and repeat steps 3 and 4 nine more times.
6. Record all observations on the corresponding data tables.
7. When done with early and midsuccession observations go to an area of late succession.
8. Pick a point and divide it into 4 quadrants.
9. Pick 1 tree in each quadrant that is the largest and closest to the point where you are standing.
10. Record the tree diameter and how far it is from your point in the corresponding data tables.
11. Calculate the basal area of each tree
2. Take a map, meter stick,and lab packet and go to the nature trail.
3. Choose an area of early succession and lay down the meter stick to measure an area of 1 meter squared.
4. Observe the area for plant and animal species.
5. Move the meter stick one meter and repeat steps 3 and 4 nine more times.
6. Record all observations on the corresponding data tables.
7. When done with early and midsuccession observations go to an area of late succession.
8. Pick a point and divide it into 4 quadrants.
9. Pick 1 tree in each quadrant that is the largest and closest to the point where you are standing.
10. Record the tree diameter and how far it is from your point in the corresponding data tables.
11. Calculate the basal area of each tree
Observations
Indirect Animal Observations
a. Mammal/Reptile Activity: bunny poop found, we could hear frogs
b. Bird Activity: Birds chirping, grey bird on branch
c. Insect Activity: spider webs and saw lots of ants
1. Description of Research Area -
The area searched was located on a small hill outside of Heritage High school beside the back parking lot. The particular area was mostly shrub land with a few small plants and trees. This land was home for a few different small animals as well. The approximate size of the research area was about 10 meters x 10 meters.
2. Is there evidence as to the original cause of this disturbance?
Yes, there is evidence of an original cause of disturbance. It is apparent that the land was disturbed recently when Heritage High School was built. The area of disturbance was turned into a gravel path for cars and trucks to move back and forth throughout construction and to have a trail for cross country and track runners to run.
3. Is soil present in this area?
Yes, soil is present within this area; however at the present state the soil is not at its most fertile state, since the disturbance was not a long time ago. The soil on the small hill is fertile enough for shrubs and a few other plants and animals; however, as you go to areas with less disturbance you encounter more plants and larger plants which shows that the disturbed areas have made the soil less fertile.
a. Mammal/Reptile Activity: bunny poop found, we could hear frogs
b. Bird Activity: Birds chirping, grey bird on branch
c. Insect Activity: spider webs and saw lots of ants
1. Description of Research Area -
The area searched was located on a small hill outside of Heritage High school beside the back parking lot. The particular area was mostly shrub land with a few small plants and trees. This land was home for a few different small animals as well. The approximate size of the research area was about 10 meters x 10 meters.
2. Is there evidence as to the original cause of this disturbance?
Yes, there is evidence of an original cause of disturbance. It is apparent that the land was disturbed recently when Heritage High School was built. The area of disturbance was turned into a gravel path for cars and trucks to move back and forth throughout construction and to have a trail for cross country and track runners to run.
3. Is soil present in this area?
Yes, soil is present within this area; however at the present state the soil is not at its most fertile state, since the disturbance was not a long time ago. The soil on the small hill is fertile enough for shrubs and a few other plants and animals; however, as you go to areas with less disturbance you encounter more plants and larger plants which shows that the disturbed areas have made the soil less fertile.
Analysis Questions
1. Is your plot undergoing primary or secondary succession? Explain in complete sentences.. A complete answer will use the data that you collected in questions 1, 2, and 3.
The particular plot of land that we researched is undergoing secondary succession.This is because this land was a habitat to tons of different wildlife
until 6 years ago when the land was cleared and construction took place in order to build the school. The wildlife that is living in the this particular habitat currently is not the original species within the area, which is considered secondary succession.
2. Using the field data that you collected, determine the successional stage of your plot. Is it early, mid, late or climax
Our plot of land is mostly in its early stages of succession; however, as you go deep along the trail into the woods, the area seems to be in mid to late stages of succession. I think this because in those areas you find much larger plant growth along with a higher concentration of animals. On the other hand, simply focusing on the majority of the area that we covered in our research there is a small number of animals and a limited amount of plants and, therefore, animal and plant diversity is limited. We observed many insect and reptile noises, but we never got to see any of those animals except for a small grey bird that was perched on a branch. Also, we got to see poop that looked like it belonged to a small mammal like a bunny; however, again, we did not actually get to see the mammal. Taking all of these observations into consideration, although we mostly studied a part of the trail that was clearly in an early stage of succession, I definitely think that the area contained areas of mid to late succession because of all of the wildlife evidence we indirectly observed.
3. Some ecologists do not subscribe to the theory of a climax community. What is a climax community? Why do some ecologists believe they do not
exist?
A climax community is the idea that plants and animals within a particular community reach a stable growing rate and balance with one another in the
ecosystem. Many scientists may not believe in this theory because the environment because of the many natural factors like hurricanes, tornadoes and
volcanic eruptions that keep the environment constantly changing, which makes it hard for organisms to remain stable for such a long period of time.
4. Doing outside research, what would the final successional stage of your campus be? If your school was removed and allowed to go through succession, what native plants and animals would you find? How long do you think it would take your campus to reach the climax community?
The final successional stage of the campus would be a forest in which many trees, animals, and other plants take a part of. There is already evidence of this final successional stage, where the forest lies around our school. If the school was removed, pine, oak, and maple trees would take over. Also, judging from the amount of deer that we still find roaming aimlessly around our neighborhoods and campus, deer would definitely be one of the major species found in that area. For the campus to reach its climax community, it will take around 1000 years. All of the plants will have to grow back to be big and strong and once that happens the animals that once called that place their habitat will have to find their way back there. It will take so long for this area to reach a climax community because the area has been put back into an early successional stage and it will now how to climb through all of the stages once again to reach its final successional stage and then the climax community.
The particular plot of land that we researched is undergoing secondary succession.This is because this land was a habitat to tons of different wildlife
until 6 years ago when the land was cleared and construction took place in order to build the school. The wildlife that is living in the this particular habitat currently is not the original species within the area, which is considered secondary succession.
2. Using the field data that you collected, determine the successional stage of your plot. Is it early, mid, late or climax
Our plot of land is mostly in its early stages of succession; however, as you go deep along the trail into the woods, the area seems to be in mid to late stages of succession. I think this because in those areas you find much larger plant growth along with a higher concentration of animals. On the other hand, simply focusing on the majority of the area that we covered in our research there is a small number of animals and a limited amount of plants and, therefore, animal and plant diversity is limited. We observed many insect and reptile noises, but we never got to see any of those animals except for a small grey bird that was perched on a branch. Also, we got to see poop that looked like it belonged to a small mammal like a bunny; however, again, we did not actually get to see the mammal. Taking all of these observations into consideration, although we mostly studied a part of the trail that was clearly in an early stage of succession, I definitely think that the area contained areas of mid to late succession because of all of the wildlife evidence we indirectly observed.
3. Some ecologists do not subscribe to the theory of a climax community. What is a climax community? Why do some ecologists believe they do not
exist?
A climax community is the idea that plants and animals within a particular community reach a stable growing rate and balance with one another in the
ecosystem. Many scientists may not believe in this theory because the environment because of the many natural factors like hurricanes, tornadoes and
volcanic eruptions that keep the environment constantly changing, which makes it hard for organisms to remain stable for such a long period of time.
4. Doing outside research, what would the final successional stage of your campus be? If your school was removed and allowed to go through succession, what native plants and animals would you find? How long do you think it would take your campus to reach the climax community?
The final successional stage of the campus would be a forest in which many trees, animals, and other plants take a part of. There is already evidence of this final successional stage, where the forest lies around our school. If the school was removed, pine, oak, and maple trees would take over. Also, judging from the amount of deer that we still find roaming aimlessly around our neighborhoods and campus, deer would definitely be one of the major species found in that area. For the campus to reach its climax community, it will take around 1000 years. All of the plants will have to grow back to be big and strong and once that happens the animals that once called that place their habitat will have to find their way back there. It will take so long for this area to reach a climax community because the area has been put back into an early successional stage and it will now how to climb through all of the stages once again to reach its final successional stage and then the climax community.
Conclusion
One source of error for this lab was the measurements of the tree diameters. The trees were all oddly shaped; so, it was difficult to measure the distances. These inexact measurements could have then affected all the calculations made in the fourth data table. Another source of error was the number of individuals; it was difficult to determine an exact number for many of the species because there were too many to count; so, an estimate had to be made. A third source of error was the calculations made in the fourth data table because they are all estimations based on only measuring a
few areas in the forest.
In the observations made, it was found that the succession at Heritage High School is varied. The closer to the actual school the land was, the earlier its stage of succession was. Many of the early succession areas were mowed by humans, and this prevented the area from growing other plant species besides the grass. These areas had plant species such as low grasses and clovers. The farther the land was from the school, the later the succession stage was. Many large trees were found in these areas. In the middle, were areas of mid-succession that had plant species such as tall grasses and dandelions. Not many animals were spotted; however, many animals were heard such as frogs and crickets; these observations are most likely a cause of the human interference making the land cycle to early succession. Since much of the land was in the early succession stages, many animals could not be found because they would not be able to survive in these areas.
As time goes on, these areas surrounding the school will develop into later succession stages unless their growth is stunted by human interference or if
there is a natural disaster. If these grounds are observed hundreds of years from now, when the school is possibly gone, the people observing will most
likely see the effects humans have had on the land. As seen in Alaska's Alexander Archipelago, ecosystems have the ability of revealing past
disturbances and occurrences (Oakes). Right now, it is possible to predict what will happen in the future with these lands. If the land is left alone, it will grow and develop into land like the later succession areas; however, it is impossible to know exactly what will happen to the land as there are possibilities of natural disasters.
few areas in the forest.
In the observations made, it was found that the succession at Heritage High School is varied. The closer to the actual school the land was, the earlier its stage of succession was. Many of the early succession areas were mowed by humans, and this prevented the area from growing other plant species besides the grass. These areas had plant species such as low grasses and clovers. The farther the land was from the school, the later the succession stage was. Many large trees were found in these areas. In the middle, were areas of mid-succession that had plant species such as tall grasses and dandelions. Not many animals were spotted; however, many animals were heard such as frogs and crickets; these observations are most likely a cause of the human interference making the land cycle to early succession. Since much of the land was in the early succession stages, many animals could not be found because they would not be able to survive in these areas.
As time goes on, these areas surrounding the school will develop into later succession stages unless their growth is stunted by human interference or if
there is a natural disaster. If these grounds are observed hundreds of years from now, when the school is possibly gone, the people observing will most
likely see the effects humans have had on the land. As seen in Alaska's Alexander Archipelago, ecosystems have the ability of revealing past
disturbances and occurrences (Oakes). Right now, it is possible to predict what will happen in the future with these lands. If the land is left alone, it will grow and develop into land like the later succession areas; however, it is impossible to know exactly what will happen to the land as there are possibilities of natural disasters.
Real Life Example
Oakes, Lauren E. "Along a Verdant Shore, a Vision of Past, Present and Future." New York Times. The New York Times Company, 11 July 2012. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.
<http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/11/in-an-alaskan-archipelago-a-vision-of-past-present-and-future/>.
<http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/11/in-an-alaskan-archipelago-a-vision-of-past-present-and-future/>.