Ecocolumn LabPurpose: 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 GROUP—NOT PER PERSON)THINGS I MUST GET THINGS THE TEACHER WILL

SUPPLY1) 5 2L SODA BOTTLES Sand2) LEAVES Duct/masking tape3) GRASS Filter paper4) BANANA PEEL & or APPLE

CORE Water dechlorinizer

5) LAND PLANT Guppies6) STRAWS

Aquatic Plants (i.e. Duckweed) Potting Soil Seeds (i.e. Radishes, lettuce) or

small plant Measuring cups Scale Graduated cylinders Drill and drill bits

OPTIONAL THINGS I MAY CHOOSE TO USE IN MY ECOCOLUMN

Fruit flies

1) More Fish (guppies, shrimp, snails, fiddler crabs, etc.)

Worms

2) Algae or Other aquatic plants Snail(s) for aquatic chamber

3) Aquarium rock4) Soil from your own yard5) Ants, Crickets, OR Other

insects6) Potato7) Meal worms

Procedure: 1) See diagram on reverse side of this page.2) Go to each station to complete the column. Each station will have additional instructions.

a. Bottle Stationi. Clean bottles, remove labels, cut bottles as shown in diagram, drill holes

b. Aquatic Station

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i. Add aquarium rock, water, aquatic plant and fishc. Decomposition Station

i. Add filter paper to the cap, add additional segments to the column, mix soil and waste, place in the column and add worms. Tape column together.

d. Terrestrial Stationi. Add additional segments to the column, add soil and place in the column

and add seeds. Tape column together.e. Data Collection Station

i. Check the handout to determine what test you need to conduct. Conduct test on a regular basis.

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 Differences between the chambers Food chains and food webs present Biogeochemical cycles in action Compare and contrast your simulated ecosystems with a natural ecosystems. Is this an open or closed system? Which applies to your ecosystem column? Describe the available niches Is there any evidence for competitive exclusion or resource partitioning? Have you observed the law of tolerance in action? What limiting factors exist? Discuss evidence of ecological succession taking place in your column Compare and contrast your lab group’s column with others in the course. Discuss the stability and sustainability of your ecosystem column

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ASSEMBLY OF ECOCOLUMN

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ASSEMBLY OF ECOCOLUMN

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Ecocolumn Lab QuestionsAnswer 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. Identify and briefly discuss the biogeochemical cycles which are taking place/which are present in your Ecocolumn. Do not merely state that “they are all present”; instead, provide more specific information.

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 occurs. Apply this explanation to your ecosystem column. How might eutrophication take place in your column?  Explain fully.

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Ecocolumn LabPoint Assignment

Grade: This assignment is worth 300 points

Column Construction: 50 pointsEach Section Completed: 10 pts/each x 3 = 30 pointsColumn joined: 10 points, joined

10 points, completed (taped)Points Lost for being late: 5 points per day

Data CollectionA table with 4 columns: Date, Observations, Measurements, Comments

3 entries per week, usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but can be changed based on the number of days in the week.

Entries x 3/week x 10 weeks x 5 points/entry = 150 points

ConclusionQuestions: 10 points each.

10 points each x 6 questions = 60 points.

Bonus PointsChoose five of the points to ponder and write a brief paper.

5 points each x 5 questions = 25 points.

Teacher Discretionary Points 40 pointsa) I will assign special points based on my observations of you and your group working

together to get the project done.b) You may also earn teacher discretionary points based on your final report (computerized

vs. hand-written)c) Other possibilities as I see the need.

Description Possible Points Points ReceivedColumn Construction

Each Section 30Completed 20Late Points Lost 5 pts/day

Data CollectionEntries 150

ConclusionQuestions 60

Bonus Points (25 Bonus Points)Teacher discretionary points 40

TOTAL 300

Ecocolumn Lab

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Score SheetNames/Period Numbers________________________________________ (leader’s name)

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Teacher discretionary points: description/date________________________________________

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Description Possible Points Points ReceivedColumn Construction

Each Section 30Completed 20Late Points Lost 5 pts/day

Data CollectionEntries 150

ConclusionQuestions 60

Bonus Points (25 Bonus Points)Teacher discretionary points 40

TOTAL 300

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