Field Study Final Project

by Daria Hoang
STEMBIOLOGY

Analysis:
IntroOver the course of the field study, my site has changed in several ways. First
and foremost, water levels have visibly lessened; the creek has become more shallow, and
the flow has almost completely stopped. Algae buildup has become apparent. This is also
a result of runoff from the horse farm directly above it and other means of pollution.
Excess nutrients, in the form of horse manure and broken down components of pollution
thrown into the creek, lead to excessive algae growth. This has clogged up my section of
the creek and also led to high insect activity. Mosquito and gnat populations have nearly
doubled, and can be observed skittering across the tops of the water. As summer
approaches, many plants have begun to die off. A fern observed at the beginning of the
field study has already shriveled up and died, with many following this pattern. The
dominant organisms included the nonnative blackberry bush, with its prickly thorns and
efficient seed distribution; the myriads of grasses on the closer bank of the creek, due to
water access and adaptations to live on rocks; and lastly, the moss, with its low
maintenance and needs.

DominantOrganisms:

#1.NonnativeBlackberryBushThroughout my observation, Ive noticed

that the nonnative blackberry bush dominates in almost every area that it is present. Its
thorns prevent deer and other animals from eating it, and it has obviously grown more
abundantly than the other grasses. Its seeds are abundant and easily distributed, perhaps a
reason for its more expansive coverage. Blackberry bushes distribute their seeds through
their fruits; when the fruit falls onto the ground, the seeds burrow into the soil. In
addition, animals that do eat the blackberries eventually leave the seeds in their scat,
further spreading the blackberry bush population. As far as human activity, people have
not been able to tamper with the bushes because they lie on the far side of the creek, and
therefore cannot be trampled on or accessed by hikers and passerbys. This is a huge
advantage. Several other plants have died off due to this manner of activity, as seen in the
worn trails, where grasses once thrived.

#2.GrassesA series of different angiosperms, both dicot and monocot, have

dominated the closer bank. They do not have to compete with the blackberry bushes.
They have adapted to grow by the rocks of the creek, and have stayed vibrantly healthy
throughout the course of my field study. Perhaps because they are closer to the creek, and
therefore have better access to water and the nutrients it garners, such as potassium,
nitrogen, and oxygen, they thrive all year long. Besides sometimes being eaten by
animals in the area, they have maintaned consistent height, if not grown slightly. Plants
like thistle and stinging nettle thrive as well. Like the blackberry bushes, they have their
own forms of protection that ward off predators.

#3.MossAlthough less noticeable at first, through my field study, its become

apparent that moss is a dominant species. It grows on all the rocks, on the barks of trees,
and on the ground. It can live farther away from the creek, too, because it needs little
water and maintenance. It has the most diversity in respects to where it grows.

*The least dominant species was probably the fern. There were only two in my field
study, and it was the first plant to shrivel up and die.

Conclusion:
I did meet my objective of learning more about natural habitats and the subtle changes
that they overgo throughout the course of the year. At the beginning, I predicted that the
creek would become shallower; mosquito activity would increase; and human activity
would be minimal. While I was correct about the first two, the last was not. Human
activity is ever present, even within natural parks. Human pollution, in the form of trash,
waste components, car exhaust, and noise, is always occurring. Also, I observed a man
letting his dog splash around in the creek. This detrimentally upsets the habitat, especially
for the minimal fish species and possible eggs lying in the banks. From previous
knowledge, I understand that this is one of the leading factors in population stunt within
the Coho salmon. My final thoughts on this project are that, as humans, we have an
incessant and undeniable impact on the environment. As a whole, we need to be more
aware and respectful towards natural habitats. There are myriads of different species that
share this earth among us.

Opinion:

I enjoyed observing and spending time at the field study. It was eye-opening to dedicate
so much time to such a small area, and yet see so much development within six weeks.
There were just so many small details, that eventually, led to bigger things. For example,
on Week Two, I began to notice that the creek seemed to be getting shallower and slower.
Only a couple weeks later, the area had become completely stagnant and overrun with
algae. It was a cool project that emphasized the old saying, that the devil is in the details.
The project would have been better if we could take more accurate measurements.
Learning how to identify common plants beforehand would also make the project much
more efficient.