Lab 3 – Biodiversity
Demonstration 1: Interdependence of Species
Table 1: Interdependence of Species Results
Round
Species Missing (Bead Color and Name)
1
Yellow – Bees
2
Blue – Humans
3
Red – Flowers
4
White – Lichen

POST LAB QUESTIONS

1. Explain how the ecosystem was affected by the missing species for each round of the demonstration.

a. Round 1 = Without the bees, plants and trees would not be pollinated. Humans would no longer have honey or get to enjoy the sweet taste of fruits due to the lack of pollination.
b. Round 2 = Without humans, maybe there would be a reverse effect. The ecosystem would possible be in better shape if humans were not around because we do have the largest impact on the ecosystem.
c. Round 3 = Without the flowers, bees would be missing part of their food source. Flowers is where bees gain food from and if they weren’t around the bees would suffer.
d. Round 4 = Without lichens, plants and trees would be the suffering ones because there would not be the needed amount of nutrients present in the soil around them.

2. Provide one action we as humans engage in that leads to the extinction of each of these components.

Action affecting Lichens = Lichens depend on water and air for their nutrients, which is effected by things in the world like air travel and fumes from exhaust.
Action affecting Trees = People cutting down trees is one way that is definitely leading to extinction.
Action affecting Flowers = The clearing of land that humans do in order to plant crops and trees is a huge effect on flowers.
Action affecting Bees = There is serious farming going on and this results in eliminating food that the bees are able to pollinate from.

3. Provide three specific actions that humans can take to minimize our impact on the ecosystem and ensure the survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees.

Action 1 = Humans can do things to lessen the amount of pollution that is contaminating the air, water, and soil.
Action 2 = Pesticides should be avoided at most if possible.
Action 3 = In order to help replace the ones that are being taken down, we should plant more trees and shrubs in their place.

Experiment 1: Diversity of Plants
Table 2: Number of Each Plant Species Present in Pot 1 and Pot 2
Species Observed
Number in Pot 1(sunlight)
Number in Pot 2(shade)
Zinnia
1
0
Marigold
5
8
Morning Glory
2
1
Cosmos
9
23
Ryegrass
5
32
Total Number of Species in Pot:
5
2

POST LAB QUESTIONS

1. Develop a hypothesis on which pot you believe will contain the highest biodiversity.

Hypothesis = The plant placed in the sunlight will contain the highest biodiversity.

2. Based on the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept the hypothesis that you produced in question 1? Explain how you