Species Diversity and Ecosystem Stability

Content Page
Items Page
Introduction 4 Title 5 Problem Statement 6 Purpose of Project 7 Methodology 8 Literature Review 9 - 13
Journal
Site-Visits 14 - 33 Laboratory Exercises 34 - 49
The Final Report
Presentation of Data Bar Graphs 52 - 54 Line Graphs 55 - 56 Tables 57 – 58 Calculations 59 - 60
Discussion 61 - 63
Conclusion 64 - 65
Recommendations 66 - 67
Bibliography 68 – 70 Introduction
This report is based on the study of ‘Species Diversity and Ecosystem Stability’ of the New Amsterdam Secondary School’s Eastern Field. This study was carried out by yours truly, Cynthia Rutherford, from the 26th January, 2011 to 5th February, 2011.
Even though the study was done over a short period of time, I do hope that it will be lots of benefit to you the readers and edify you of our environment.
Thank you. Title

The title of this study is:
‘Species Diversity and Ecosystem Stability’ Problem Statement
To calculate species diversity using the Simpson’s Diversity Index and thus, to determine ecosystem stability of the eastern field of the New Amsterdam Secondary School. Purpose of Study
The researcher chose the topic ‘Species Diversity and Ecosystem Stability’ to investigate:
i) Species diversity using the Simpson’s Diversity Index; ii) And the level of ecosystem stability of the field of study, The Eastern Field of the New Amsterdam Secondary School.
The researcher also aims to make relevant recommendations to those in authority as well as those who use the school facility to either change their attitude to improve their surroundings, or how they should continue their work to keep the environment as it is. Methodology
In order to carry out the investigation ‘Species Diversity and Ecosystem Stability’, the researcher designed a strictly followed plan of six steps.
The gathering of all relevant information pertaining to the topic was the first step. In order to commence the study, the researcher acknowledged

Bibliography: Internet 1) Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust, http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/simpsons.htm, 1998/9 & 2000/1/2/3/4 Visited on 12th January, 2011 2) Husas R., ([e-mail]), http://capita.wustl.edu/ME567_Informatics/concepts/ecosys.html 26th October, 94 Visited on 12th January, 2011 3) Harrison I, Laverty M., Sterling E., http://cnx.org/content/m12174/latest/ Visited on 12th January, 2011 4) The National History Museum, http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/projects/worldmap/diversity/species.htm, 2011. Visited on 12th January, 2011 5) Kent Holsinger, “Diversity and Stability”, http://darwin.eeb.uconn.edu/eeb310/lecture-notes/diversity-stability/node2.html, 13th October, 2009. Visited on 12th January, 2011 6) Holsinger K. E, “Diversity, Stability, and Ecosystem Function”, http://darwin.eeb.uconn.edu/eeb310/lecture-notes/diversity-stability.pdf 2003. Visited on the 10th January, 2011 7) Brady J., Francis L., ([e-mail]) “Monitoring a Habitat” http://www.usc.edu/org/cosee-west/MurrayLecture/MonitoringHabitats.pdf Visited on 10th January, 2011 8) Gallagher C., “The Plot Thickens”: Using Quadrates to estimate Abundance and Densities of Organisms, http://gcuonline.georgian.edu/wootton_l/quadrats.htm 2009. Visited on the 20th January, 2011 2) Wardle, D. A. et al. “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability” Stability of ecosystem properties in response to above-ground functional group richness and composition. (Oikos 89, 11–23), 2000. 4) Foresman S., Wesley A., “Environmental Science: 3rd Edition” (Addison Wesly Longman Inc.), 1999.