Observation 8: (5/29/08)

Observation 8: (5/29/08): This is the last observation!! and the tempurature was around 58 degrees F with no noticable breeze. Soil conditions were quite damp because it had just finished a rainy shower at the time of 5:30 P.M. Both biotic and abiotic factors in my ecosystem were quite similar to my last observations. The animal activity consisted of only a lone squirrel running along a log near the stream. As for predator/ prey interactions, I believe that the bird and squirrel populations as well as the moose help to keep the plant populations at bay. Cougars, bears, domestic dogs, and other large predators that are often sited in the nearby places around my area, keep the herbavior community in check. There is much evidence of decomposers in my area. Bones, trash, and tree debris have started to decompose since the snow melted and the results are apparent. My area is definately becoming greener and more lush from the great amount of recent rain. I think that my area will be awesome for summer!!

Observation 7: (5/27/08)

Observation 7: (5/27/08): The tempurature of my area was approximately 55 degrees F at the time of 5:47 P.M. Although the weather looked quite sunny outside, it was partly cloudy and seemed more humid than average. Also, there was a slight breeze. The community of birds seemed to have florished since my first observation. I hear more and different birds within my observation spot. Robins, ravens, magpies, and black birds are all included in the community. Not too much has changed in my area except for the soil seems to be getting dryer in some areas but marshier near Cache Creek. As far the survival needs provided by this area are not sufficient to sustain large animal life such as moose, deer, or others for time periods of more than a few days. The plant life easily has its needs met my this small area. Amounts of the plants seem to grow immensely every observation.

WORKS CITED
MOOSE
Wikipedia. 2007. Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. May 17, 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose
MooseWorld. May 20, 2008. Mooseopia. http://www.mooseworld.com/habitat.htm
NatureWorks. 2008. New Hampshire Public Televison. http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/moose.htm
PICTURE: Robert Volpe. Bull Moose. 2007 http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Maine/animal_moose.html

RED WILLOWS
Encyclopedia of Stanford. 1993. University of Stanford. http://trees.stanford.edu/ENCYC/SALlaev.htm
Human Flower Project. October 25, 2007. Human Flower Project. http://www.humanflowerproject.com/index.php/weblog/comments/red_willow/
West Wales Willows. 2008. Basketmaker’s Association of Britian. http://www.westwaleswillows.co.uk/c42.html
PICTURE: Red Contorted. 23 May, 2007. <http://www.djroger.com/contorted_willow1.htm>

Flora Report: RED WILLOWS

RED WILLOWS
Salix laevgata, a member of the salicaceae, is commonly found throughout the western countryside. Its habitat is along river banks, streams, lakesides, and canyons, because the organism is accustom to large supplies of water. It has reddish bark that has a strong smell. Its blooming period is between March and May, and it buds with bright green leaves. This willow also has thin leaves and branches. Red willows thrive with an abundance of both water and sunshine. Willows also help to regulate the flooding of low areas. Its niche is providing food for numerous animals including the moose, providing shelter for animals, providing shade for many other organisms, and slowing erosion. The red willow does not need a large amount of space to survive. It is common to see a riverbank lined with the flora. All willows, including the red willow, have green, shiny upper surfaces and are silvery gray beneath. The “male” trees are distinguished by having catkins made of small soft flowers while the “females” have catkins consist of only pistil plus bract flowers. The fruit that is produced is a two valved capsule, similar to a pea pod, but inside it has many hairy seeds. Its process of reproducing is similar to that of masting. It releases all of its seeds at once in order to ensure its line doesn’t die. Each individual seed is covered with fine cotton hair which enables it to float through the air. The most common time to see these seeds wondering in the breeze is the late winter and summer.

UDMD. everybody please read this vital information.

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Observation 6: 5/21/08

Observation 6: (5/21/08): Today it was raining lightly and the tempurature was about 34 degrees F. The soil was marshy with some areas on the verge of being a swamp. I found what I imagined to be a deer or elk leg and rib bone near the edge of the creek. This shows that the organism was probably killed by a predator. The river continues to rise and become stronger as the snow melts, and the clouds rain. Lichen is growing on almost all of the trees and is creating soil for itself and future plants. This is its niche. I noticed a choke cherry tree on the opposite side of the stream as well as the many willows, had started to bud. There were numerous mounds of dirt from what I suspected to be some type of mole homes or excavation. If so, it is a prime example of living things erosion. Snakegrass was also found near the banks of Cache Creek. Interspecific competition is widely shown near the stream with pine trees, willows and tall grasses. I believe the tall grasses and small trees are competiting for the larger trees' shade. Also that the large trees, willows, and tall grasses are competing for nutrients in the stream as well as a consistant water source.

Observation 5: 5/22/08

OBSERVATION 5:(5/22/08): The weather conditions of my area was a light rain and very cloudy with no visible blue sky. Soil conditions were extremely marshy from the previous heavy rainfall. The tempurature was approximately 38 degrees F at the time of 6:57 P.M. on Thursday the 22nd. Biodiverisity near Cache Creek increased immensely. Plants seemed to thrive from the amount of both recent rain and sunshine that they were obviously not used to. The lichen, moss, and pind trees show a commensalistic symbiotic realationship, because the the moss creates a home on the tree and thus benefits, while the tree is unaffected. This interaction also creates a niche for the tree to fill for the moss.There were no insect activity near the stream due to the rain. There was absolutely no snow and an apparent increase in the greeness of all the plants. Cache Creek rose an extreme amount, and the water had started to rise over top the banks. There was some type of plant that was reddish brown with fourth inch thorns growing off the branches. The biotic factors of this community were chipmunks chattering in high tree tops, a few all black birds chirping, and a plump robin who flew across the stream. There was also an abundance of moose scat underneath many of the large pine trees.