In today's class, we dissected bird pellets which was just as interesting as it was disgusting (very). A pellet is basically the "leftovers" of what the bird eats. The bird cannot digest everything that it ingests thus requiring the bird to get rid of the waste products some other way, which is done through the regurgitation of the leftovers, consequently creating a pellet.
so what is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. The website http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_02/BL_02.html provides a game like function where you have to place various parts of an ecosystem under the category in which they belong. Above are examples of different ecosystems and which animals and plants belong where.
A mesocosm is a small experimental area that is set up to explore ecological experiments. The mesocosm is enclosed so that there is the ability to control the environment of the area. By changing one variable within the mesocosm you can observe the effect and see how the environment changes. Within science there are many different types of mesocosms which are used to explore different aspects of ecology such as terrestrial or aquatic mesocosms. Not only are mesocosms useful in studying what effect a factor has on an environment but they are also useful to investigate what ecosystems are sustainable. mesocosms in researchSetting up a mesocosmGlass jars or transparent plastic containers are best to make the mesocosm in.
1. Place enough charcoal in the bottom of the jar/container so it forms a thin layer across the bottom 2. Put a thin layer of gravel on top of the charcoal 3. Then put a thin layer of sand and then a thin layer of compost 4. Place the desired seeds or plants in the compost 5. Put a small volume of water in the jar (the volume of water depends on the size of the jar) DO NOT PUT SO MUCH WATER IN THAT YOU DROWN THE PLANTS, only enough to make the compost damp 6. Put the lid on the jar and tap around the edges to seal it properly meaning no air will be able to enter or leave the mesocosm 7. Leave the mesocosm somewhere in the sunlight, such as by a window and observe the mesocosm either die or develop |
Professor Laura M TotterdellPhD in physiology and cake making as well as quantum physics. Archives
April 2016
Categories |