Biology Lab
Version 2: Identifying Dominant Plant Species
1- Hypothesis
Based on the results, the bunchberry plant, with a scientific name of Cornus canadensis, was most frequently seen in station four, the ecotone, and second most in station five, the forest which is most likely in the lower forest since it has a similar environment to that of station four, and third most in station three, the bog. It was not as frequently seen in areas of higher elevation such as the old field. It should be noted that all three locations were very moist which is expected since they receive water from the marsh. Due to its more frequent presence in moist environments, it is predicted that the bunchberry is more adapted to such locations. It is also predicted that sandy soil supports its growth since it was mostly seen in stations four and five which have sandy soil. Within and on the soil, lots of wood could be seen on the ground from remains of trees that were around the bunchberries which lead to a possibility that as the wood remains are buried in the soil, the bunchberry plant is able to use it to build roots. With respect to plants surrounding the habitat of bunchberries, many large trees such as the red maple were located in stations four and five. It was noticed that the area in which bunchberry plants grew were shady areas because the large trees were blocking the sun light from reaching them. Plants need sunlight to conduct photosynthesis in order for growth to take place; however, too much exposure to the heat the sun brings may cause a plant to become too dry through the process of evaporation which supports the earlier prediction that a bunchberry requires a moist, cool environment for growth. The trees enhance the growth of the bunchberry by allowing for a cool and moist environment through shielding it from the heat of the sun. Not many tall trees could be found in station three which could be an explanation as to why fewer bunchberries were seen there.
Furthermore, an
1- Hypothesis
Based on the results, the bunchberry plant, with a scientific name of Cornus canadensis, was most frequently seen in station four, the ecotone, and second most in station five, the forest which is most likely in the lower forest since it has a similar environment to that of station four, and third most in station three, the bog. It was not as frequently seen in areas of higher elevation such as the old field. It should be noted that all three locations were very moist which is expected since they receive water from the marsh. Due to its more frequent presence in moist environments, it is predicted that the bunchberry is more adapted to such locations. It is also predicted that sandy soil supports its growth since it was mostly seen in stations four and five which have sandy soil. Within and on the soil, lots of wood could be seen on the ground from remains of trees that were around the bunchberries which lead to a possibility that as the wood remains are buried in the soil, the bunchberry plant is able to use it to build roots. With respect to plants surrounding the habitat of bunchberries, many large trees such as the red maple were located in stations four and five. It was noticed that the area in which bunchberry plants grew were shady areas because the large trees were blocking the sun light from reaching them. Plants need sunlight to conduct photosynthesis in order for growth to take place; however, too much exposure to the heat the sun brings may cause a plant to become too dry through the process of evaporation which supports the earlier prediction that a bunchberry requires a moist, cool environment for growth. The trees enhance the growth of the bunchberry by allowing for a cool and moist environment through shielding it from the heat of the sun. Not many tall trees could be found in station three which could be an explanation as to why fewer bunchberries were seen there.
Furthermore, an