Leaf Litter Invertebrates in Pennsylvania Forest
Biodiversity of invertebrates found in leaf litter in the Solebury woods
Introduction: We are trying to compare the biodiversity of leaf litter invertebrates in forested areas on each side of the horseshoe trail on Solebury School’s campus. Each area has significantly different ecological histories. Leaf litter invertebrates are essential to the forests wood web. At the base off the food web are the main producers which would be trees or shrubbery. Then there are the primary consumers that eat the trees and shrubbery. Next there are the secondary consumers that eat the primary consumers. Finally there is top carnivore that is at the top of the food chain and doesn’t get preyed upon. The leaf litter invertebrates that we are found would most likely be detritivores. Detrivores eat dead plant and animal matter, as well as feces. Together with the aid of microbial decomposers detritivores break down dead organic matter and return it to the soil so the food chain may continue (Raven, Hassenzahl, and Berg 50). Biodiversity has provided many services that have humans have utilized in order to make a better world and it importance should not be overlooked. The medical industry relies on biodiversity for research and resources to make new medications. For example advances in the treatment of osteoporosis, diabetes, renal disease and cardiovascular disorders all came from studying bears. Also research on cetaceans has been used to help divers when they suffer from decompression sickness. Maintaining biodiversity isn’t just vital used for research when developing medicines but many plants and animals are also used in the production of many medicines. Some plants that are used are Digitalis plants, which are consumed in the making of Lanoxin a cardiac drug, anti-cancer drugs use taxus trees to for Taxol and Hycamtin which is made from Camptotheca trees. One example of when an animal is used is when Zincontide, and inter alia pain killer
Introduction: We are trying to compare the biodiversity of leaf litter invertebrates in forested areas on each side of the horseshoe trail on Solebury School’s campus. Each area has significantly different ecological histories. Leaf litter invertebrates are essential to the forests wood web. At the base off the food web are the main producers which would be trees or shrubbery. Then there are the primary consumers that eat the trees and shrubbery. Next there are the secondary consumers that eat the primary consumers. Finally there is top carnivore that is at the top of the food chain and doesn’t get preyed upon. The leaf litter invertebrates that we are found would most likely be detritivores. Detrivores eat dead plant and animal matter, as well as feces. Together with the aid of microbial decomposers detritivores break down dead organic matter and return it to the soil so the food chain may continue (Raven, Hassenzahl, and Berg 50). Biodiversity has provided many services that have humans have utilized in order to make a better world and it importance should not be overlooked. The medical industry relies on biodiversity for research and resources to make new medications. For example advances in the treatment of osteoporosis, diabetes, renal disease and cardiovascular disorders all came from studying bears. Also research on cetaceans has been used to help divers when they suffer from decompression sickness. Maintaining biodiversity isn’t just vital used for research when developing medicines but many plants and animals are also used in the production of many medicines. Some plants that are used are Digitalis plants, which are consumed in the making of Lanoxin a cardiac drug, anti-cancer drugs use taxus trees to for Taxol and Hycamtin which is made from Camptotheca trees. One example of when an animal is used is when Zincontide, and inter alia pain killer