Purpose: This lab will provide an opportunity to explore several types of ecosystems, the components within each ecosystem, the conditions required for the sustainability, and the interconnections between the various chambers composing the column.
Materials (per lab group):
5 – 6 two liter plastic soft drink bottles (empty, clean, the labels neatly removed)
3 caps to go with bottles, follow the diagram to drill the appropriate holes. rocks for aquatic chamber
1 straw leaves, grass clippings, fruit pieces (decomposition chamber) filter paper or cotton
1 aquatic plant fauna for aquatic chamber (small fish, snails) small plants (not required if you plan on using seeds in the plant chamber).
Above items are supplied by the students
tape cutting utensils soil seeds for the plant chamber
Above items supplied by Mr. Turoff
Procedure:
1) See diagram on reverse side of this page.
2) You will need to bring in the bottle pre-cut and the caps pre-drilled according to the diagram.
3) In class, you will assemble the column according to the diagram.
Monitoring:
Over the next 10-12 weeks, you will monitor all possible abiotic and biotic factors pertaining to your ecosystem column. Data is to be recorded regularly and is to be included in the final lab report.
Points to ponder
Describe the available niches
Is there any evidence for competitive exclusion or resource partitioning?
Describe the energy flow through the bottles.
Discuss the stability and sustainability of your ecosystem column
Ecocolumn Lab Questions
Answer the following questions in complete sentences, providing sufficient detail and explanations. Response should be clear, organized, and as comprehensive as possible. If your handwriting is difficult to read, it may be difficult to find points in your responses. You may type your responses. Each question is worth 10 points, total of 60 points.
1. Propose three possible reasons why there are such large differences between the Ecosystem Columns in the lab.
2. Discuss the nitrogen and carbon cycles which are taking place/which are present in your Ecocolumn. Provide specific information about the organisms involved.
3. Compare your lab group’s somewhat “contrived” or “manufactured” ecosystems with ecosystems found outside the classroom. Describe (i) three similarities and (ii) three differences.
4. Is your ecosystem column a closed or open system? Or is it something in between a closed or open system? Explain how this (closed, open or other) influences the ecosystem column overall.
5. Discuss five limiting factors in your habitats, clearly stating which chamber(s) you are referring to.
6. Explain what eutrophication refers to and how this
