Field_Report

Task one: The Gully Section of the Ridge track. Aim: To see the different species of plants spread over a distance. Hypothesis: That across the distance, that we would find different types of plant species. Materials: - Belt transect - measuring tape Methods: 1. Measure out the distance that you will cover 2. Draw up a belt transect between 0 – 80m 3. In 10m intervals, place the species found at their correct measurement of finding on the belt transect. Results: vegetation key: | Symbols | Vegetation name | Trees | AC | Angophora Costata (Sydney Redgum) | | C | Coach Wood | | SP | Sydney Peppermint | Shrubs | BA | Blueberry Ash | | SW | Sweet Pittospurum | | PR | Pittospurum Revolutem | | SU | Sunshine Wattle | | BS | Banksia Serrata | | HP | Hairpin Banksia | | D | Drumstick | | B | Burrawang | | FG | Forest grass free | | MD | Mountain Devil | Ground Cover | MF | Maidenhair fern | Other | | Sandstone boulder | Discussion: From this we see that every metre there was either the same or different species of plants, 14 different species were found over the 80m that were cover. There were also a few sandstone boulders. Conclusion: From this it is evident that there is a wide range of plant species across the large area due to the abiotic factors. Task two: Measurement of Abiotic Factors at site A and B. Thermometer | Hydrometer | PH test kit | Soil | Soil thermometer | Anemometer | Light meter | Compass | Clinometers | Aim: To compare the abiotic factors at two different sites. Hypothesis: That there will be a difference in abiotic factors in the two different sites. Materials: Abiotic factor | Instrument | Ridge top results | Gully result | Air temperature | Thermometer | 24 C | 24 C | Humidity | Hydrometer | 54% | 53% | Soil PH | PH test kit | 3.5 (acidic) | 5.5 (lightly acidic) | Soil type | Observation | Sandy soil | Sandy | Soil temperature | Soil thermometer | 21.3 C | 20.4 C | Wind speed | Anemometer | 6.4 km/h | 4.2 km/h | Light intensity | Light meter | 9000 lux | 1700 lux | Aspect | Compass | 175’ bearing (S) | 130’ bearing (SE) | Slope | Clinometers | 4’ slope | 11’ slope | | | Weather = overcast | Weather =sunny | Methods: 1. Place soil thermometer in the ground and wait around 5mins. 2. Hold thermometer in the air and wait until result comes. 3. Place some water into the hydrometer the wait for results to show. 4. Grab small amount of soil observe it and record what type it is, then with the same soil grab the PH test kit and test the PH of the soil. 5. Hold anemoter in the air and let wind pass through. Record the highest results. 6. Find the spot with the most sunlight and hold out light meter. Record the highest results. 7. Hold out compass and wait until the compass arrow stops moving and record results 8. Point clinometers to a specific point and press down and record results. Results: Discussion: According to the result above the two different areas had quite different result which can lead to having different species grow in the different areas. Example the drumsticks were found only at ridge top as the soil was a lot sandier and the PH of that soil was more acidic. The temperature of the soil was also higher so the plant is adapted to these features. Conclusion: In conclusion abiotic factors can change according to the area which they are tested. Task three: Investigation of plant abundance using the scientific method. Aim: To compare the relative abundance of two plants at two sites using Quadrats. Hypothesis: That specific plants will grow in specific areas depending on what abiotic feature will impact them. Materials: Quadrat Tape measure Methods: 1. Select to different areas and mark about 10m 2. Throw the quadrat over the area and count the number of the plant that was choosing 3. Record findings in a table Results: Abundance of drumsticks at site A (70 – 80m) | Quadrat number | Count result | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | Abundance of pittospurem revolutum at site B (0 – 10m) | Quadrat number | Count result | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 1 | Discussion: Due to the results it tells us that different species grow in the areas that they do because of the abiotic feature that they live in that impact on them. Also because there was a path in the middle that could of also changed the counting because it could have taken away a few of the species. Conclusion: In conclusion specific plants will grow in specific areas because of the features that impact them. Interactions between species in the Western sandstone Gully Forest ecosystem * Beneficial Relationship: * Mutualism: interaction between two organisms from which both benefit. A symbiotic relationship. Example: lichen (fungi and algae) provides a moist environment for the algae to live on, while passing on energy for photosynthesis on the lichen. * Commensalism: a relationship between two organisms that benefits one and does not harm the other, where both could survive without the other. Example: wild bee hive in the tree hollow, tree provides good place to make honey. (in spring mutualism as bees also pollinate flowers). * Detrimental Relationship: * Competition: two organisms in the same community which require the same resources. Example: possums and cockatoos complete for tree hollow to nest in. * Parasitism: an interaction where one species feeds directly on another. Living on, or in its’ host, often harming it. Example: ‘native cherry’ taps into the root system of the Ecasia, foots and steals the nutrients. * Allelopathy: the productions of chemicals by one organism that can harm or benefit another organism. Example: Casuarina – branchless release a chemical which inhibits competition. (Not counted for trees already growing). * Trophic interactions in the ecosystem: * Sunlight Banksia Serrata Honey Eater Tawny frog mouth * Predator/prey relationship from this ecosystem: spiders are the prey tawny frog mouth is the predator. * A food chain is the movement of energy. As one organism is consumed by an organism of a higher tropic level. The linking of food chains to demonstrate more complicated relations creates a food web. Discussion: We can see that, between two organisms there are relations whether have be beneficial or detrimental, because of these relations it has help organisms adapt to survive surrounding environment. Conclusion: in conclusion all organisms have different relations with other organisms to help them adapt and survive in their environment. Animal Adaptation physical characteristics: Scientific name: aodargus sturigodies Common name: tawny frog mouth Major taxonomic group: podargidae Description: like an owl, but with lighter build and smaller feet. Marble lawny grey. Size: 33-50cm Food source: large nocturnal insects spiders, small reptiles rodent and birds. Competitors: owls, bats and snakes. Predators: cats, foxes, snakes and goannas. Habitat description: in woodlands and open forest of eucalyptus or acacias. Rely on trees to camouflage. Human influences: introduced predators, loss of habitat (deforestation), road kill and eat poisoned rodents and insects. Interactions with other species: owls are also nocturnal and snakes are its competitor too. Adaptations: Structural: hooked bill for grasping prey, soft feathers for slight flight, good camouflage, large eye (helps nocturnally) and sensory feathers detect flying insects. Behavioural: freezed posture: lifts head and closed eyes to resemble a jiggered branch. Discussion: we can see that because of the physical characteristics that the tawny frog mouth has the hooked bill it has help them adapt to the environment and be able to hunt for prey. Conclusion: In conclusion organisms have different adaptations to help them survive. Plant Adaptation Scientific name: Banksia Serrata Common name: old man Banksia Description: small – medium tree Growth habit: tree Average height: 4 – 8 m Average leaf size and shape: oblong elliptical length 8 – 20cm Leaf colour above: glossy green Leaf colour below: pale green Leaf arrangement: alternate Flowering season: December to march Fruit: woody Habitat description: common in heath and woodland on sandy soils in coastal areas. Growth requirements: well drained soil and adequate rainfall. Interaction with other species: tree provides nectar for birds and insects which pollinates the flowers. Adaptations: Water: hard leaves reduce transpiration (loss of water through leaves) Sunlight: spreading habit to expose leaves for photosynthesis. Recovery after fire: Iigno tubers ( underground in front of tree and sprouts regrowth) underground food reserves for sprouting regrowth. Nutrients: mycorrhizal (fungus on the root system, takes up nutrients for the plant and receives energy) Reproduction: after fire, fruits release a wind seed, which starts new tree. Other: thick bark for fire protection. Discussion: We can see from the adaptation that over time this plant has developed adaptations to help it survive in the condition which it is home to. Conclusion: In conclusion organisms have different adaptations to help them survive.