Kassie Kapp
Jennifer Larkin
Sara Martin
Mindy Wert
Biol 303
Professor J. Carter
The Ecology Of South Maple Creek at the University of Cincinnati
Clermont Campus, Batavia, OH
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Mechanical analysis was done by weighing out 50.88 g of soil, transferring it to a 1-liter beaker and adding 5-g of Calgon water softener to the soil in the beaker. Then a sufficient amount of tap water was added to the mixture to bring the level to 900 ml. This mixture was then stirred for approximately 15 minutes using a magnetic stirrer and the stir function on a hot plate, no heat, as well as occasional manual stirring. After the stirring was complete, the mixture sat for about one minute to settle. The muddy liquid was then decanted off over 6 times of settling out and decanting. The remaining sediment was placed on a hot plate, with heat, to dry. The sample was not dry by the end of the lab period, so it was labeled and put away until the following lab period (Carter)
Abstract
Throughout the Ecology course many different areas were tested for an obstacle of experiments, but the main area of focus was South Maple Creek. Many different experiments were completed, which arranged from mapping, observing animal life, shrub, tree, and herb plotting to water analysis and testing the soil for pH and various other chemicals. The soil consisted of very low results in every category. The density of the plants were found to be 28% shrubs and 10% herbs. There were ten species of trees found in the area, which were predominantly Ash. This had an average of 33%. In a one hour there were an average of seventeen species of insects and other animals found. This could indicate various conclusions about South Maple Creek.
Results
Ecology 303, 2006 classes main focus was South Maple creek. 3/29/06 started the mapping portion, which continued on till 4/4/06. Azmiuth readings from the compasses were recorded and then put into the computer in which the computer generated a map. (Click on link to view map http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio303/index.htm. Also refer to Mapping plots.htm.
A soil analysis was performed on 4/25/06 around Wild Cherry Left Bank.
pH: 60
Phosphorus: Trace (a.k.a. clear)
Nitrogen: Trace (a.k.a. light pink)
Potassium: Low
Flora surveys were performed on 4/30/06. Results were 138 herbaceous plants in 14 different species, 168 shrubs in 6 different species. For complete data visit:
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On 4/30/06 insect surveys were collected. As a result we found, 216 insects and a total of 16 different species. These results came from 3 different plot areas, which included South Maple Creek, woods by South Maple Creek, and Athletic Field. For a complete list of different insects and insects per hour click
Insects 2.htmTree analysis was collected on 5/09/06. For this we plotted two areas, South Maple Creek and Beech Nole. South Maple Creek had the most percentage of Cherry Tree's with 28% and Beech Nole had 79% Beech Trees. Both areas had a total of 50 trees (that were measured) and 11 different species.
Tree Graph.htm for graph information.Environmental Factors of a couple different areas were performed on 5/23/06. The sky was beautiful with no clouds in sight. There wasn't much of a breeze and the temperature was about 73 degrees. Below is the data collected from the 5 plot areas:
Construction |
Short Grass |
Tall Grass |
S.M.C |
Other grass |
Creek |
||
Light Intensity |
Low |
8000 |
6000 |
9000 |
6000 |
400 |
800 |
Medium |
3000 |
2000 |
500 |
800 |
80 |
150 |
|
High |
2000 |
750 |
200 |
90 |
20 |
30 |
|
Air Temp. Celsius |
Dry Bulb |
23 |
22 |
21 |
23 |
21 |
18 |
Wet Bulb |
13 |
12 |
13 |
11 |
14 |
13 |
|
Relative Humidity |
% |
30% |
29% |
35% |
15% |
43% |
74% |
Soil Temp |
|
28 |
20 |
18 |
14 |
13 |
11 |
Wind Velocity |
Head Height |
0 |
5 |
3.5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Ground Height |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wind Velocity |
Head Height |
0 |
223.5 |
156.4 |
134.1 |
0 |
0 |
cm/sec |
Ground Height |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Conclusion
Once all the calculations were done the density of the plants were found to be twenty eight percent shrubs and ten percent were herbs shrub There were ten species of trees that were found in the South Maple Creek; the most prominent was the Ash where there was thirty three percent tree graph In one hour there were an average of seventeen species of insects and other animals found in this area Insects.
This research shows where plants are growing better and where animals tend to thrive. It can also tell the best way to help this new area thrive. This information will also help us to understand the native life living at Clermont College.