Biotic table number two

cover page

sample data table and further study question

Further study question:
           How does the amount of water in the creek according to the season affect the levels of pollution in the water?

Example data table for possible experiment:

Published maps and citations

Map draft and Final Map

Local food web

picture collage

Field study data tables A: Abiotic factors

Field study data tables B1

Bibliography

Bibliography:

Books:

Keator, Glenn. Pacific Coast Berry Finder. Nature study guide publishers. Berkeley, California.                                           

            Field Guide, pocket manuel.

 Spellenberg, Richard. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers. New York. 

                  Alfred A. Kopf Inc. July 26, 1979. Book, field guide.

Watts, Tom. Pacific Coast Tree Finder. Nature Study Guide Publishers.  Berkeley, California.               

                  Field guide, pocket manual.

Websites:

“California Laurel, Umbellularia californica.” Plant guide. United States Department of           

                  Agriculture. PDF. May 8, 2013.

“Stulstaft Park- San Mateo County CA.” Trails.com. USGS, United States Geological Survey. 

                 Website. October 28, 2012.

“Redwood City.” mytopo.com. USGS, United States Geological Survey. Website. October 28, 2012.

Conclusion

            Observing the study area was for the first few months not very interesting because the area did not change very much. There was no rain for the first two observation periods and so the ecosystem stayed in its hibernation period. After it started to rain there was a blossom of growth, in a short period of time that was fascinating. Plants grew up out of nowhere and the actually average color of the plants changed from brown to green in the matte of two or three weeks. The study area was chosen for the creek area and because the area has some human interference already. The reason for choosing a site with previous human interference was that any interface that I caused then would not harm a previously undamaged ecosystem and habitat.

            The study area selection could have been more focused on either the creek of the trees and not both as to get a better understanding of one or another. Real instruments could be used to measure water speed or wind speed and a more precise thermometer could be used to measure conditions instead of the self figured quick estimations of the observations made. A computer could have been brought during one observation session to verify plant and anima species instead to using memory later after going home to try to identify the plants from the pictures in books or on the web later.

            The connection between abiotic and biotic factors in the ecosystem is very subtle. The amount of water (abiotic) is the most important factor that affects the biotic components. Where there is more water there are more plants, because the plants need water to survive. Even thought this is true it is still hard to tell this connection because plants do not visibly absorb water.
             Humans impact the environment much more visibly. The trail that goes through the center of the area clearly prevents growth of plants in certain areas of the study area. In addition the trash left in the creek and in the area effects the ecosystem. The trash lowers the aesthetic value of the area and pollutes the creek. Over all there is a harmful effect from humans on the study area. This impact could be minimized if people picked up behind themselves and did not dump half full cans of drinks into the water and threw away or recycled their own waste.

Adaptations: Bay Laurel

            The Bay laurel tree is an organism that is prominent in the study site. The tree has adapted to different areas and is able to develop differently to survive in a large array of climates. It will grow smaller in drier areas developing different root structures and taller in places with ore water. The tree is very regenerative after fires, which is very useful to a California plant because California is a very dry state sometimes. The bay laurel tee is permeated with aromatic oil that it produces. This oil acts as a natural insecticide and keeps away many types of natural pest looking for food (California Laurel). The bay laurel is in a symbiotic relationship with the green mold around it. The green mold decomposes the smaller leaf litter creating dirt for the tree and the tree provides the mold with nutrients. Overall the Bay Laurel is a very sturdy tree that suits its environment well.

“California Laurel, Umbellularia californica.” Plant guide. United States Department of             Agriculture. PDF. May 8, 2013.

Site Description

            The estimated break down of the study area into trees, bushes, water, bare ground, and grasses is as follows. 45% of the study area is mixed small bushes and grass. 12% of the study area is trees both young and mature. 18% of the study area is bare stone, 8% of the study area is mixed stone and dirt. 9% of the study area is taken up by the creek, and the path way takes up the remaining 8% of the study area.

             There are not many signs to indicate constant animal usage but there are some. There are occasionally deer hoof prints near the area and in the area indicating that deer pass through the area. There are dog prints, which show that there are dogs passing through the area. Aside from these to animals there are not many signs of usage by local animals. One can hear birds in all trees but not see them so they are close whether they use this particular spot remains to be seen.

            The soil at this sight differs from one side of the site to the other. On the trail the sand is much more sandy that the dirt closer to the creek. Closer to the creek the soil becomes more loam, like turning a darker color and yet still having air particles in it. Where there are trees on the site the soil turns darker. Closer to the creek the soil is damp and moist and not too sandy or clay like plant life and mold grows faster closer to the house.

            The site is a flat area in a small valley in a dip in the hills of the park where the creek comes through. The flatness of the area allows the water to pool creating a small pool of clear water. The dirt also collects here because it is a flat area at the bottom of a small slope so the dirt that is eroding collects here. The water thought in the center of this area pushes the dirt to the side so there is an exposed rock shelf in the center of the site around the creek.

            The area is lightly forested and so is protected from the wind making the temperature in it higher because wind chill does not occur as much. The upper area gets the most wind because it is the least protected from the wind by the hills around it. The study area is in a small valley and acts as a gutter for the surrounding area taking in the drainage from the hills around it. As the area is the most protected there are more trees there instead of meadow plants, the plants in the area are greener and less drought resistant then the ones in the surrounding hilltops.

            The climate around the site is very mild. This allows for the almost unchanging way that the site exists. The site stays green for a very long period of time during the year and does not really change a huge amount. Inside the study area there are microclimates. It is drier on the side of the site closer to the street and damper more towards the rest of the park. This is what creates the densities of the plants there. There are more grasses and bushes toward the wetter end of the study area and less smaller greener plants toward the drier end of the study. The differences in the climate with in the site is easy to se upon further observations.

Observation Journal 4

Obseration Journal 3 - 11-19-12

Observation Journal 2

Observation Journal 1

 

Site Overview

The overall size of the observation site is 150 feet squared maybe a tad smaller, It is located off of the fire trail entrance of Stulstaft park on Farm Hill road. It is next to the creek that runs parallel to the fireroad path that goes along the back of the park.

       How much does the water level in this branch of the creek vary throughout the year during the different seasons? What affect if any does the nearby children’s play park have on the ecosystem of the creek area? Does the area differ greatly inbetween the seasons or does it stay at the same level of productivity year round?

       The study area is split in half by a small clear flowing creek in the middle of the sight with a small stream about 2 ft by 1 ft by 1ft. A small hiking trail goes through one side of the site past one of the large trees that originate in the creek and curve over the pathway. Next to the creek is a small shelf of rock that does not have any plant life or dirt on it.

Driving Instructions: Take a left out of the pool parking lot onto James, take James down to Iris, take a left on iris. Take Iris to Jefferson take a right onto Jefferson. Take Jefferson all the way till it becomes farm hill take it past McGarvey and untill Stulstaft is on your left.