7Conclusion
Biotic
1.) Is the data you found consistent with information that was discussed in class with regards to low order streams? Explain why or why not.
I found that the information we discussed in class in regards to low order streams is consistent.
In class, we discussed that low order streams would have the following: medium volume, medium velocity, medium amount of sunlight, and a medium water temperature. We also discussed that the stream bed would be made up of boulders, cobble, and gravel.
When I went outside, I found that the stream had some boulders sticking out from the stream’s surface and that the bed was made up of cobble and gravel. I also found that the velocity was of medium speed, as was the volume, and that there was some sunlight that shone on the stream, but not too much. Overall, I’d say the consistency was accurate.
2.) What are some of the special adaptations that you observed in some of the plants and animals that helped them to adapt to their environment? Explain these adaptations.
Some special adaptations I have noticed in plants specifically are the way they change just to survive. For example, some plants have air spaces in their stems to help hold the plant up in the water. Others have have leaves that float atop the water, exposing themselves to the sunlight. To grow and to continue living, these plants will evolve and change.
With animals, they will have certain fur colors, sleep through certain months, or camouflage themselves. Animals have a way of changing and living through certain conditions.
When it comes to animals, they adapt to living in cleaner, clearer, and fresher water. They also adapt so they can live in waters with higher oxygen levels. These aquatic organisms are able to adapt the way they live to survive.
3.) Did any organisms help to indicate the general health of the stream? If so, what were they and what did their presence tell you about the stream?
Yes, some organisms did help me understand the general health of the stream. BMI such as water pennies, alderflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and mayflies are all taxa one specimen that were found in Fox Run. This tells us that Fox Run’s quality is healthy because taxa one BMI cannot survive in polluted water.
Abiotic
1.) What does each test tell you about the overall health of the stream?
Dissolved Oxygen tests tell us how much available oxygen is in the water for the aquatic organisms to breathe.
pH tests determine the concentration of hydrogen in the stream, or other water source. The more acidic the water is, the deadlier it becomes.
Turbidity tests measure the clarity of the water. This means that the tests determines how many particles are floating around in the water. Say, if you can see the bottom of a stream, that would be low turbidity. But, if it’s mucky and you can’t see the bottom, that would be high turbidity.
Nitrogen tests measure how many nutrients are in the water. Too many nutrients can be a bad thing and could possibly result in eutrophication. The same goes with phosphorus testing, this, too, measures the amount of nutrients in the water.
Coliform Bacteria tests show us how much fecal matter is located in lakes, streams, rivers, and other water sources. The lower the coliform bacteria level is, the safer it is.