Field Study
Analysis
1). Introduction
- One dominant organism that has changed in my area were the two big oak trees that continued to increase in foliage production and the amount of area it shaded. The process of trees growing is an example of inevitable change, but the speed in which it grows can be depended upon multiple factors.
- A second changed organism was the number of green weed plants that grew. One week there wold only be 10 or 12, but then as time went on more and more of these plants continued to grow.
- A third dominant organism that has experienced change was the long-branched bush that constantly lost leaves that would turn brown and fall off. From lack of adequate soil and harsh winds could have been a possible reason for this occurrence.
2). Body
- From observing the growth of the two oak trees throughout time, I have learned that when trees grow, they don't necessarily extend straight up, but rather the branches grow in a slanted way and form in a dome-like shape. The tree has changed by the color of its leaves becoming more of a tinted yellow color and the branches covering more area as time went on. The abiotic and biotic factors that have affected these organisms are quality of the soil that feed into the trees' roots, the amount of sunlight and water the trees receive is a huge factor that affects its growth, and for biotic factors the fungi that grows along the trees provide and different texture and bacteria to the trees, and various birds and insects use trees as a source for food and protection. This organisms are dominant in my area because they cover the majority of the land and are immediately the first thing you notice.
- The purple spiky plants are another main organism in my site and I learned that they grow in clumps and bees are not attracted to them at all. There hasn't been much change to these plants, other than they have continued to grow taller. The soil, sun, and water are all abiotic factors that affect this plant. While the biotic factors are the little flies that tend to fly around them and the other plants that live in the same area. These organisms are dominant in my site because they the climate and amount of shade for them make it a suitable environment for them to thrive.
- A third dominant organism in my area are the long-branched bushes that showed me how poor quality soil can affect a plant. The typical water, wind, soil, and sunlight are the main abiotic factors that affect the bush. The biotic factors are the birds that like to perch on its branches and the plants that surround it. This organisms are dominant in my area because they catch your eye and have long, thin branches that take up a large area.
3). Conclusion
- I do think that I met my objective correctly by observing and tracking all the changes that occurred at my site. I learned several things from the constant changes in plant survival, the speed in which weeds can grow at, an the seeing the unique shape of trees create while continuing to grow. My predictions were that there wouldn't be much plant life and that the majority appearance of my site would stay the same. However, I soon realized that I was wrong in terms of there being a large number of green stringy plants sprouting all over my area, and there were greater changes than expected. For one, I did not think the bush would reach 8 feet tall or the purple spiky plant to measure more than 2 feet. One major shock to me was the variety of wildlife I saw throughout this process. I saw several squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, birds, and even a skunk.
4). Opinion
- Some components I enjoyed doing this project was the ability to go outside for a little while, rather than be stuck in a classroom. I also liked observing my site and recording different types data. However, I did not really enjoy the walk going back and forth from the classroom to our sites and constant updating of our websites got tiresome to do every week. One thing I definitely suggest in proceeding this project next year is to start the project earlier so that students can observe an even wider array of changes. And rather than go every week, every other week would be better so that you can see greater changes. All in all I found this project to be different from any other assignment I've done and was very interesting to experience.
- One dominant organism that has changed in my area were the two big oak trees that continued to increase in foliage production and the amount of area it shaded. The process of trees growing is an example of inevitable change, but the speed in which it grows can be depended upon multiple factors.
- A second changed organism was the number of green weed plants that grew. One week there wold only be 10 or 12, but then as time went on more and more of these plants continued to grow.
- A third dominant organism that has experienced change was the long-branched bush that constantly lost leaves that would turn brown and fall off. From lack of adequate soil and harsh winds could have been a possible reason for this occurrence.
2). Body
- From observing the growth of the two oak trees throughout time, I have learned that when trees grow, they don't necessarily extend straight up, but rather the branches grow in a slanted way and form in a dome-like shape. The tree has changed by the color of its leaves becoming more of a tinted yellow color and the branches covering more area as time went on. The abiotic and biotic factors that have affected these organisms are quality of the soil that feed into the trees' roots, the amount of sunlight and water the trees receive is a huge factor that affects its growth, and for biotic factors the fungi that grows along the trees provide and different texture and bacteria to the trees, and various birds and insects use trees as a source for food and protection. This organisms are dominant in my area because they cover the majority of the land and are immediately the first thing you notice.
- The purple spiky plants are another main organism in my site and I learned that they grow in clumps and bees are not attracted to them at all. There hasn't been much change to these plants, other than they have continued to grow taller. The soil, sun, and water are all abiotic factors that affect this plant. While the biotic factors are the little flies that tend to fly around them and the other plants that live in the same area. These organisms are dominant in my site because they the climate and amount of shade for them make it a suitable environment for them to thrive.
- A third dominant organism in my area are the long-branched bushes that showed me how poor quality soil can affect a plant. The typical water, wind, soil, and sunlight are the main abiotic factors that affect the bush. The biotic factors are the birds that like to perch on its branches and the plants that surround it. This organisms are dominant in my area because they catch your eye and have long, thin branches that take up a large area.
3). Conclusion
- I do think that I met my objective correctly by observing and tracking all the changes that occurred at my site. I learned several things from the constant changes in plant survival, the speed in which weeds can grow at, an the seeing the unique shape of trees create while continuing to grow. My predictions were that there wouldn't be much plant life and that the majority appearance of my site would stay the same. However, I soon realized that I was wrong in terms of there being a large number of green stringy plants sprouting all over my area, and there were greater changes than expected. For one, I did not think the bush would reach 8 feet tall or the purple spiky plant to measure more than 2 feet. One major shock to me was the variety of wildlife I saw throughout this process. I saw several squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, birds, and even a skunk.
4). Opinion
- Some components I enjoyed doing this project was the ability to go outside for a little while, rather than be stuck in a classroom. I also liked observing my site and recording different types data. However, I did not really enjoy the walk going back and forth from the classroom to our sites and constant updating of our websites got tiresome to do every week. One thing I definitely suggest in proceeding this project next year is to start the project earlier so that students can observe an even wider array of changes. And rather than go every week, every other week would be better so that you can see greater changes. All in all I found this project to be different from any other assignment I've done and was very interesting to experience.
Extra Credit