Essay on Research Project

Components of the Study Area
Abiotic
Soil (slightly moist, mixed with dead grass and rock)
Air (ranges from 54- 85°F)
Water (normal tap water, used for watering)
Rock
Brick
Cement
Wire (bound around plants for support)
Plastic Hose
Metal
Shovel
Feces (from pet dog)
Biotic
Humans (My family)
Insects
Birds
Squirrel
Pet dog (golden retriever)
Grass (tough and usually cut short)
Trees (tangerine, avocado, lemon, kumquat, and peach)
Plants (Flowers and Shrubs)

Observations
Autotrophs
1. Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): Producer: Invasive 2. Iceberg Rose (Genus rosa): Producer: Invasive

3. Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica): Producer: Invasive 4. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta): Producer: Invasive 5. Kumquat (Genus fortunella): Producer: Invasive

6. True Lilies (Genus Lillium): Producer: Invasive

7. Lemon Tree (Citrus limon): Producer: Invasive

8. Peach Tree (Prunus persica): Producer: Invasive

9. Tree Aeonium (Aeonium arboreum): Producer: Invasive

10. California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera): Producer: Indigenous

Heterotrophs
1. Honeybees (Genus apis): Herbivore (primary consumer): Invasive

2. Garden Snail (Helix aspersa): Herbivore (primary consumer): Invasive 3. Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile): Omnivore and scavenger (secondary consumer): Invasive

4. Pillbug (Armadillidium vulgare): Herbivore and detritivore (primary consumer): Invasive 5. Earthworm (Genus diplocardia): Herbivore and detritivore (primary consumer): Indigenous

6. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus): Omnivore (tertiary consumer): Invasive 7. European House Cricket (Acheta domesticus): Omnivore (secondary consumer): Invasive

8. Long-legged Flies (Family dolichopodidae): Carnivore and scavenger (secondary consumer): Invasive 9. Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis): Carnivore (secondary consumer): Indigenous

10. Great Basin Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis ssp. Longipes): Carnivore (secondary consumer): Indigenous

Food Chains
KumquatGarden snailHouse sparrow
EarthwormAntsCricketWestern fenceHouse sparrow
Pill bugGreat Basin Fence LizardHouse sparrow

California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera) The California Fan Palm is native to southwestern North America, and occurs naturally in parts of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts southeastern California, southwestern Arizona, and northern Baja California. It is widely cultivated as a ornamental tree in Southern California. In addition, it is the only palm that’s native to California. As part of the palm family Arecaceae, the California Fan Palm is technically an evergreen monocot. Growing up to sixty feet tall with a crown spread of fifteen feet, its trunk may also reach over three ft in diameter and it can have up to thirty palmate (or fan-shaped) leaves. Each palmate grows to about three to six feet in length. As the tree grows and new palmates emerge, the dead leaves will stay on the trees, hanging down against the trunk. Due to this, the California Fan Palm is sometimes called the petticoat palm. The California Fan Palm grows best in a warm temperate climate with dry winters and wet summers. These plants are tolerant of the cold and can survive temperatures of -10 °C with little damage. The palms prefer being exposed to full sun, and is relatively drought tolerant. Perks of the California Fan Palm includes cold hardiness, fast growth, and drought and salt resistance. During springtime, huge clusters of white, three-lobed, funnel-shaped flowers about half inch long hang down from leaf bases. Although the palm doesn’t produce dates, it does fruit oval black berries about half inch in diameter. The berries contain a large black seed surrounded by a thin, sweet pulp. Hooded orioles and coyotes feed on the berries, which helps the palms repopulate. The palms provide a habitat for Bighorn Sheep, Hooded Oriole, Gambel’s Quail, Coyotes, Dinapate wrightii (beetle), and Lasiurus xanthinus (bat). They provide both food and shelter

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Research Project Essay

Research Project Essay