Fox Run Times October 2013 | Page 12

Conclusion

Discussion and Analysis

1.) Based on your readings and class notes, how do the abiotic factors affect the biotic factors in the stream? Is the information you collected in the field consistent with this data?

Biotic factors are affected by abiotic factors when the abiotic factors harm the biotic factors’ habitat, making it unlivable. If the air temperature changed suddenly, for example, this could kill some of the food for the BMI and/or kill the BMI. And, yes, the information collect in the field is consistent with this data.

2.) What can you conclude about the stream based on ALL the data collected and analyzed? Is Fox Run healthy? Support your answer with facts/data.

I can conclude by saying safely that Fox Run is a healthy body of water. The data that was collected during my time at the stream proves that the water isn’t polluted, seen in the biological data results. These results show that there is a high number of Pollution Taxa One BMI living in Fox Run, proving the stream is healthy.

3.) Changes and improvements to the study. What would you do differently to the study if you were to perform it again in the future? What would you keep the same?

If I were to preform the study again in the future, I would probably prefer to not have to work around a weird man fishing in my section. I would also probably not spend at least thirty minutes trying to throw a measuring tape by and forth to Emma. Another thing I would change is to do all of my work with Kathryn, but still keep Miki and Emma in the group. Kathryn and I seem to work well together. I would keep my group the same because all of my members are pretty cool and smart when it comes down to it.

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. (Biological)

The data I found is consistent with information that was discussed in class with regards to low order streams. The discussion in class informed me that low order streams would have a whole lot of medium. A medium amount of sunlight, a medium velocity, a medium water temperature, and a medium volume. I found that this was to be true during my tests.

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 of the special adaptations that I observed in some of the plants and animals that helped them to adapt to their environments are astounding. With animals, they are able to camouflage themselves into their surroundings, which is pretty neat. Also, I noticed that plants did this thing where some of them could expose themselves to light by having leaves to float to the top of the water. I never thought of that as an adaptation, but I guess it is.

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?

Some organisms in fact did help to indicate the general health of the stream. The Pollution Taxa One BMI, such as the twenty-nine mayflies I found will collecting BMI, indicated that the stream must lack pollution because of their intolerance to it.

Abiotic

1.) What does each test tell you about the overall health of the stream?

The dissolved oxygen tests told me about, of course, how dissolved oxygen is in the water of Fox Run, which made me certain that the water did not have hypoxia or anoxia. The pH tests told me how acidic or not acidic the water was, and determined the concentration of hydrogen in Fox Run. Since the water’s pH was 7, it allowed me to be relieved that the water was not acidic. The nitrate and phosphorus tests told me how many nutrients were in the stream. When too many nutrients are in a body of water, it can lead to eutrophication, which isn’t good. The turbidity tests told me how clear the water is, so if there were too many particles floating in the stream, that would be high turbidity, and if there were not a lot of particles floating in the stream, that would be low turbidity. The coliform bacteria tests told me the amount of fecal matter was located in the body of water. When the coliform bacteria level is high, that’s bad, but when it’s low, that’s good.

2.) What are some factors that influence each of these tests? (Chemical and Physical)

Some of the factors that influence each of these tests,dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, and coliform bacteria, are gonna be told below. The depth of the water could have influenced the D.O. test. The area where the pH was taken could have influenced that test. The fertilizer run-off could have influenced the nitrates and phosphates during the tests. The movement in the water caused by humans could have influenced the turbidity. And last, but not least, the motion of kicking the bed of the body of water could influence the coliform bacteria test. Surprise, surprise.

3.) Are your and the other groups’ results consistent with one another and what you might expect to find in a stream of this order? Explain.

My group’s and the other groups’ results are somewhat consistent with one another. The pH tests were pretty close to one another, although I’m not certain how others got 8 as their pH in the water. I mean, it’s water. Also, the other groups’ had the same D.O. and Coliform Bacteria as everyone else, so we were pretty consisent with that. Some how, our Turbidity and Nitrates were way off. Most had 20/20 for Turbidity, but one group got 0/0 and another got 100/100. And for Nitrates, most groups got 0/0 while one group got 5/0 and another 55/50. Phosphates just goes over my head because two groups got 1/1, one group 0/0, one group 2/1, and another 2/4. All in all, I guess we were pretty close.

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