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A healthy ecosystem has lots of species diversity and is less likely to be
seriously damaged by human interaction, natural disasters and climate changes.
Every species has a niche in its ecosystem that helps keep the system healthy. We
are learning about new species every day, and we are just figuring out the roles they
play in the natural world. By studying and maintaining biodiversity, we help ke ep our
planet healthy.
The atmosphere provides oxygen and carbon dioxide for the plants and
animals in an ecosystem. The atmosphere is also part of the water cycle. Without the
complex interactions and elements in the atmosphere, there would be no life at all.
The heat and light from the sun are critical parts of an ecosystem. The sun's
heat helps water evaporate and return to the atmosphere where it is cycled back into
water. The heat also keeps plants and animals warm. Without light from the sun there
would be no photosynthesis and plants wouldn't have the energy they need to make
food.
1. Plastic bags
2. Retort stand
3. Petri dish
4. Torch light
5. Piece of cloth
6. Hand lens
7. Container
8. Measuring scale
9. Measuring cylinder
10. Forceps
a
Ñ x
1. A measured volume of the leaf litter and topsoil are examined using a hand
lens.
2. Any fauna found is removed to a clean petri dish for identification according to
different groups ( with legs and no legs).
3. The number of each group is counted and results are tabulated. ( refer table 2
and 3 in results section)
4. The results from both tables are counted and calculated regarding the number
of Orders or groups per liter of soil and leaf litter. (refer table 4 in results
section
1. A sample of leaf litter ( O Horizon) and topsoil (A Horizon) which is not deeper
than 3cm is collected from two different locations. It was choose from lawn,
native vegetation, garden bed, under species of trees or other distintive area.
2. The sample was placed in plastic bags, sealed and was labelled with group
name and collection location.
3. Both sites characteristics were tabulated in table 1 . ( refer Table 1 in Result
section)
4. In the lab, the soil and leaf litter sample from the same location were mix
thoroughly.
5. About 100g of both samples were placed in two different Tulgren funnel.
6. Leave the sample for two days.
7. After two days, the preserving jar containing ethanol is removed and the lid is
screwed.
M
è
Ê
Ê Ê Ê
Lawn Garden bed
Ê
Very dry Wet
Ê
- -
Ê
Hard Loose
&
'( Ants (10) Termites (4)
Ants (13)
Spider (2)
Millipede (3)
Beetle (1)
Centipede (1)
Snail (1)
12 29
!
&
x'( åo result found åo result found
&
'( åo result found åo result found
%
% 12/1000 = 0.012 unit per 29/1000 = 0.029 unit per
g g
% *( 2/1000 = 0.002 unit per g 4/1000 = 0.004 unit per g
!
% *(! 10/1000 = 0.001 unit per 25/1000 = 0.025 unit per
g g
Table 4
G
A
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+, (+-
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The biodiversity of macrofauna from the soils depend of type of ve getation and
soil hardness. This is because, lawn and garden bed have different texture of
soils which enable macrofauna to live in. for example, if the soil is quite hard
and dry, less species will make it their habitat due to lack of food, shelter and
not all macrofauna able to penetrate the hardness of the soils. This is different
with garden bed which prepared enough leaves litter and suitable environment
for them.
2.
.
(
+
ÿ
If the organism at the top of the food chain die, the remaining below will face a
drastic increase and it will lead into higher compettition to get the food. This
may also lead to lack of consumer.
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/
+-
/
+- (
+
Ê å
Ê Ñ
-
5. Suppress bacterial and fungal pathogens
They ensure that soil pH is at stable level which is not too acidic and not
too alkaline. This is where they are using macrofauna as natural stabilizer
to neutralize the soil pH and make it healthy.
1)
(
)-
+
{
]iscussion:
1. Energy and nutrients are passed as one group of organisms feeds on another.
2. At the bottom level of the food web is the decaying organic matter in the soil that
ultimately came from plants. Roots are a source of nourishment for some organisms.
4. Feeding on them are the first -level predators such as protozoa one-celled
organisms like amoebae, some species of nematodes and arthropods such as bugs
with jointed legs like mites and insects.
5. Bacteria are small bundles of protein with a high percentage of nitrogen. If the
nutrients they need are at the precise site of the bacterium, then bacterial metabolic
rate is unequaled. But everything has to be present, just like the c oal and oil at a
power plant.
6. Soil food web is a basis for life on the land. It breaks down dead plants and
animals and recycles nutrients. åumbers and varieties of organisms are staggering.
Reproduction rates are high especially bacteria, and populatio ns tend to boom and
bust with different levels of oxygen, nutrients, heat, pH and water. It¶s a complex
ecological relationships.
8. Soil food web is important for plant growth. It builds soil structure and stores
nutrients and releases them in forms plants can use. It also protects plants against
diseases and pests.
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