Environmental IA UNIT 1

PURPOSE OF PROJECT

There are certain environmental conditions which would be suitable for the growth and survival of the carnivorous sundew plant (Dorsera Capillaris). However some of these conditions may act as limiting factors to its growth as different species thrive in different conditions. In order to find out what these factors were tests such as; the pH of soil/water, soil distribution, humus content, water holding capacity of soil and quadrat throw to determine population density to show why the population of the Carnivorous Sundew was distributed as it did.

AIM OF PROJECT

To measure the physio-chemical characteristics of the Aripo’s Open Savannah and access their potential biological significance as a population indicator for the Carnivorous Sundew Plant (Drosera Capillaris).

METHODOLOGY

On the morning of Thursday 23rd January, 2014 from approximately 9am to 1pm the lower six Environmental Science class travelled in a bus along with two teachers to collect primary data for our internal assessment at the Aripo Savannah One, a long stretch of forest reserve approximately 160x70. This forested reserve is located in the country of St Andrew on the east central portion of the Caroni Plain. It is bounded by the towns of Arima and Sangre Grande. The savannah visited was Savannah One in the Cumuto area Trinidad (see figure 1.1). The general site area of 160m was broken up into four sites measuring 40m each (see figure 1.2). The general site area of 160m was located in the open Savannah One and another area called the Palm Marsh was the fifth site measuring 100m. Students were then divided into groups comprising of three students each to collect two samples of soil randomly from each of the four sites within the 160m area. Firstly a quadrat was thrown randomly at each of the four sites to measure species diversity of the Carnivorous Sundew plant and data was then recorded as follows ; site one comprised of 24, site two comprised of 18, site three comprised of 12 and site four comprised of 24.. A trowel was then used to dig out 10 inches of soil from the ground and then this was placed into separate zip lock bags which were then labeled appropriately for each site. Water samples were also taken from the ground at each of the four study areas using separate small plastic containers which were then labeled appropriately. These containers were tilted to allow minimum soil to enter. The soil samples were then used to carry out tests such as water holding capacity of soil, pH of soil, soil distribution and soil humus content. The water samples that were taken from each of the four sites were then used to find out the pH of water. After collecting these samples the fifth site was then sampled. This site comprised of heavily forested palm marsh measuring 100m. Approximately half of it was visited. No sundew was located at this site as conditions were not suitable for the Carnivorous Sundew plant. Tress such as The Cajuca (Virola Surinamensis), Moriche Palm ( Mavitia Flexuosa), Olivier (Terminalia Obovata), Maripa/Corcorite Palm (Attalea Maripa) and the the Galba (Aphelandra Galba) were counted and then recorded to determine their species diversity. Photographs were taken throughout this field study.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Ecology is a relatively new science. The term ecology was first defined in 1866 by the German zoologist Ernst Haecke (1870) he based it on the Greek word ‘Oikos’ meaning ‘home’ and wrote: “By Ecology we mean that body of knowledge concerning the economy of nature. The investigation of the total relations of the animal both to its inorganic and it’s organic environment; including above all its friendly and inimical relations with those animals and plants with which it comes directly or indirectly into contact-In a word, ecology is the study of all those complex inter-relations referred to by Darwin as the conditions for the struggle of existence. Since we wanted to focus on the physio-chemical parameters of an ecosystem ( The Aripo Savannah 1) the relevant aim was chosen in the world of research. In order to evaluate habitat quality many physical and chemical aspects of the specific ecosystem needs to be studied. These environmental conditions would be studied to access the population of The Carnivorous Sundew (Dorsera Capillaris) is based on limiting factors. The Carnivorous Sundew (Dorsera Capillaris) is a pink or spathulate very small carnivous plant ( see figure 2.1). Carnivorous plants are plants that consume some or most of their nutrients from either trapping and in digesting animals or protozoans usually insects and other arthropods. The Carnivorous Sundew is usually found in wet pine flatwoods, in areas that accumulate dead plant material such as bogs in the United States as well as some areas in the Caribbean. These plants thrive mostly in acidic soils. This plant looks red with round, concave leaf blades with varying tentacles with a mucilaginous secretory gland to attract insects. There are certain limiting factors to the growth of the Carnivorous Sundew. The Carnivorous Sundew plant requires low soil nutrients and acidic soils which are found mostly in wet areas such as bogs, fens and along streams and rivers. The Carnivorous Sundew can withstand temperatures varying 30 degrees C in hot climates and as low as 5 degrees C. Some species thrive in waterlogged areas and some thrive in moderate area of rainfall. Fig: 2.1 Photograph showing The Carnivorous Sundew Plant.

DATA PRESENTATION

The intention of this section was to present the results of the labs of the quadrat throw to determine population density, the water holding capacity of the soil, soil distribution, pH of both soil and water, humus content of soil and the population density of The Cajuca (Virola Surinamensis), Moriche Palm ( Mauritia Flexuosa), Olivier ( Terminalia Obovata) and The Maripa/ Corcorite Palm ( Attalea Maripa). QUADRAT THROW RESULTS SITE

Number of Carnivorous Sundew Plant

1

24

2

18

3

12

4

4

TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE QUADRAT THROW SHOWING THE NUMBER OF THE CARNIVOROUS SUNDEW PLANT FOUND AT THE ARIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH ONE.

Population Of The Sundew (no.# of plants)

GRAPH PORTRAYING THE POPULATION OF THE SUNDEW PER REGION 30

Legend Region #Plants Site 1 - 24 SIte 2 - 18 Site 3 - 12 Site 4 - 4

25 20 15 10 5 0 Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Regions For Sample Taking

Site 4

Since the quadrat was thrown at each of the four sites data was recorded in a table format as shown in (fig. 3.1). Site one had the most Carnivorous Sundew plants and Site four had the least amount of the Carnivorous Sundew plants. The trends seen is that the Carnivorous Sundew plants decreased in numbers along the sites examined starting from 24 in site one, 18 in site two, 12 in site 3 and the least recorded as 4 in site four.

TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE WATER HOLDING CAPACITY OF DIFFERENT SOIL SAMPLES FOUND AT THE ARIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH ONE. MASS (g) SAMPLE:

A

B

C

SITE 1

2

3

4

A)

80.184

80.169

80.096

B)

71.239

71.157

66.618

A)

80.795

82.873

76.96

B)

70.524

72.874

69.889

A)

80.178

80.160

80.390

B)

69.042

66.922

69.176

A)

80.349

82.180

80.472

B)

72.460

69.320

70.437

GRAPH SHOWING THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE FOR THE RESULTS OF THE WATER HOLDING CAPACITY OF EACH SITE Avg. Water Holding Capacity (%)

35 30

Legend* Region (%) Site 1 - 26.08 Site 2 - 24.52 Site 3 - 29.46 Site 4 - 25.02

25 20 15 10 5 0 Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Sites Observed (regions)

Soil samples were taken from each of the four sites examined. Data was recorded in a table and bar graph format as shown in (fig 3.2). Site three had the highest percentage of water holding capacity of 29.46% followed by site one of 26.08% then by site four of 25.02% and lastly site two of 24.52% holding the least amount of water.

Humus Content of Soil Results AFTER 1ST BURNING

AFTER 3RD BURNING

AFTER 4TH BURNING

________

_________

________

69.758

_________

_________

________

62.004

60.502

_________

_________

________

58.625

57.791

__________

_________

________

SITE

MASS OF CRUCIBLE

INITIAL MASS OF SOIL AND CRUCIBLE

1

A) 42.866

52.445

52.187

B) 59.702

69.941

A) 29.661 B)

AFTER 2ND BURNING

C) 2

3

4

C)

60.448

60.177

__________

_________

________

A) 29.714

55.884

55.689

55.523

55.443

________

B) 24.356

38.000

38.504

38.501

38.495

________

C) 58.926

75.057

74.735

74.724

74.691

________

A) 38.970

66.248

65.996

65.953

65.912

65.220

B) 33.331

61.056

61.305

60.754

60.625

60.585

C) 42.780

61.589

61.084

61.073

61.072

_______

TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE HUMUS CONTENT OF DIFFERENT SOIL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE ARIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH ONE.

40

GRAPH DISPLAYING THE AVG. PERCENTAGE FOR THE RESULTS OF THE HUMUS CONTENT OF THE SOIL SAMPLES FROM EACH SITE

35

Avg. Humus Content (%)

30

Legend Region Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4

25 20 15

-

(%) 1.5 24.6 35.7 2.72

10 5 0 Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

The Regions of Sample taking

Soil samples were taken from each of the four sites examined. Data was then recorded in a table form in (fig 3.3). Site three had the highest percentage humus, followed by site two of 2.4%, then

by site four containing 2.72% and site one having the least amount of percentage humus which in equivalent to 1.58%. Ph of Soil Results SITE pH OF SOIL 1 6.3 2 6.5 3 6.5 4 6.9 TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE PH OF SOIL FROM FOUR DIFFERENT SOIL SAMPLES FOUND AT THE ARIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH ONE.

Soil samples were taken from each of the four sites examined. Data was then recorded in a table shown in (fig.3.4). Site one was the most acidic of 6.3 followed by site two and three both of pH 6.5 and lastly the least acidic being site four of 6.9.

Ph of Water Results SITE pH of Water 1 5.7 2 5.7 3 6.0 4 5.3 TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE PH OF WATER FROM FOUR DIFFERENT SOIL SAMPLES FOUND AT THE ARIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH ONE.

Water samples were taken from each of the four sites examined. Data was then recorded in a table shown in (fig 3.5). Site four was the most acidic of 5.3 followed by site one and two of pH 5.7 and lastly the least acidic site 3 of 6.0.

Results of Soil Particle Size SITE

SAMPLE

VOL. OF STONES (CM3)

1

a b

3.0 5.0

VOL. OF LARGE PARTICLES (CM3) 20.0 18.0

2

a b

1.0 4.0

29.0 25.0

VOL. OF SMALL PARTICLES (CM3) 2.0 4.0

VOL OF CLAY (CM3)

VOL OF HUMUS (CM3)

52.0 50.0

3.0 3.0

4.0 6.0

45.0 44.0

1.0 1.0

3

a b

2.0 1.0

20.0 17.0

7.0 10.0

46.0 42.0

5.0 8.0

4

a b

4.0 6.0

26.0 24.0

8.0 7.0

39.0 41.0

3.0 2.0

TABLE SHOWING RESULTS OF THE PARTICLE SIZE OF FOUR DIFFERENT SAMPLES FROM THE ARIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH ONE.

SITE

VOL. OF STONES (%)

1

4.0

2

2.5

3

1.5

VOL. OF LARGE PARTICLES (%) 19.0

VOL. SMALL PARTICLES (%)

VOL. OF CLAY (%)

VOL. OF HUMUS (%)

3.0

51.0

3.0

27.0

5.0

44.5

1.0

18.5

8.5

44.0

6.5

4 5.0 25.0 7.5 40.0 2.5 TABLE SHOWING THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE RESULTS OF THE PARTICLE SIZE OF FOUR DIFFERENT SAMPLES FROM THE ARIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH ONE.

Soil samples were taken from each of the four sites examined. Data was then recorded in a table shown in (fig 3.6). Site four had the most stones of volume (cm3) of 5 followed by site one of 4 and two of 2.5 and site three had the least volume of stones of 1.5. Site two had the largest volume of particles of 27 followed by site four of 25, site one of 19 and lastly site three of 18.5. Site three had the highest volume of the smallest particle size of 9 followed by site four of 7.5, then two of 5 and lastly site one of 3. Site one had the highest volume of clay of 51 followed by site 2 of 44.5, then by site three of 40.5 and lastly site four of 40 and lastly site three had the most humus of 5.5, followed site one of 3, then by site four of 2.5 and lastly site two of 1 and this suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives in areas of a larger ratio of small particles to larger particles of soil. Results of the the population density of The Cajuca (Virola Surinamensis), Moriche Palm ( Mauritia Flexuosa), Olivier ( Terminalia Obovata), The Maripa/ Corcorite Palm ( Attalea Maripa) and the Galba (Aphelandra Galba) from site 5.

Name of Species Number of Species The Cajuca (Virola Surinamensis) 25 Moriche Palm ( Mauritia Flexuosa) 46 Olivier ( Terminalia Obovata) 18 The Maripa/ Corcorite Palm ( Attalea Maripa) 6 Galba ( Aphelandra Galba) 1 TABLE SHOWING THE RESULTS OF FOUR SPECIES LOCATED FROM THE PALM MARSH AREA OF THE APRIPO’S OPEN SAVANNAH.

ANALYSIS OF DATA

Site one had the most Carnivorous Sundew plants and Site four had the least amount of the Carnivorous Sundew plants. The trends seen is that the Carnivorous Sundew plants decreased in numbers along the sites examined starting from 24 in site one, 18 in site two, 12 in site 3 and the least recorded as 4 in site four suggesting that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives mostly in site one and least in site four. Site three had the highest percentage of water holding capacity of 2.46% followed by site one of 26.08% then by site four of 25.02% and lastly site two of 24.52% holding the least amount of water and this suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives mostly in areas of a high water holding capacity of soil. Site three had the highest percentage humus, followed by site two of 2.4%, then by site four containing 2.72% and site one having the least amount of percentage humus which in equivalent to 1.58% which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives mostly in areas of a lower percentage of humus in soil. Site one was the most acidic of 6.3 followed by site two and three both of pH 6.5 and lastly the least acidic being site four of 6.9 which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives mostly in areas of acidic soil. Site four was the most acidic of 5.3 followed by site one and two of pH 5.7 and lastly the least acidic site 3 of 6.0 which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives mostly in areas of acidic water. Site four had the most stones of volume (cm3) of 5 followed by site one of 4 and two of 2.5 and site three had the least volume of stones of 1.5. Site two had the largest volume of particles of 27 followed by site four of 25, site one of 19 and lastly site three of 18.5. Site three had the highest volume of the smallest particle size of 9 followed by site four of 7.5, then two of 5 and lastly site one of 3. Site one had the highest volume of clay of 51 followed by site 2 of 44.5, then by site three of 40.5 and lastly site four of 40 and lastly site three had the most humus of 5.5, followed site one of 3, then by site four of 2.5 and lastly site two of 1 which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives in areas of a larger ratio of small particles to larger particles of soil. Site 5 had no Carnivorous Sundew but was dominated by a Palm March setting. On observation the soil seems to be wet and slippery and this suggests that the conditions were not suitable for the growth and survival of The Carnivorous Sundew. Tress such as The Cajuca (Virola Surinamensis) , Moriche Palm ( Mavitia Flexuosa), Olivier (Terminalia Obovata), Maripa/Corcorite Palm (Attalea Maripa) and the the Galba (Aphelandra Galba) were counted and then recorded to determine their species diversity.

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

Since the quadrat was thrown at each of the four sites data was recorded in a table format as shown in (fig. 3.1). Site one had the most Carnivorous Sundew plants and Site four had the least amount of the Carnivorous Sundew plants. The trends seen is that the Carnivorous Sundew plants decreased in numbers along the sites examined starting from 24 in site one, 18 in site two, 12 in site 3 and the least recorded as 4 in site four. This means that the physio-chemical conditions were mostly suitable for growth in site one and least in site four as the population progressively reduced from site one to four. In order to determine why the Carnivorous Sundew plant population progressively reduced from site one to four there must have been certain limiting factors that affected it’s growth. Five tests such as the water holding capacity of soil, humus content of soil, pH of soil, pH of water and soil particle size were carried out in the lab to determine why the Carnivorous Sundews varied from site one to four. After tests were done it seems that Site three had the highest percentage of water holding capacity of 29.46% followed by site one of 26.08% then by site four of 25.02% and lastly site two of 24.52% holding the least amount of water which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives better in conditions of high water holding capacity of soil; Site three had the highest percentage humus, followed by site two of 2.4%, then by site four containing 2.72% and site one having the least amount of percentage humus which in equivalent to 1.58% which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives better in conditions of low humus content of soil; Site one was the most acidic of 6.3 followed by site two and three both of pH 6.5 and lastly the least acidic being site four of 6.9 which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives in conditions of acidic soil Site four had the most acidic content of water which was of 5.3 followed by site one and two of pH 5.7 and lastly the least acidic site 3 of 6.0 which suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives in conditions of acidic water and lastly Site four had the most stones of volume (cm3) of 5 followed by site one of 4 and two of 2.5 and site three had the least volume of stones of 1.5. Site two had the largest volume of particles of 27 followed by site four of 25, site one of 19 and lastly site three of 18.5. Site three had the highest volume of the smallest particle size of 9 followed by site four of 7.5, then two of 5 and lastly site one of 3. Site one had the highest volume of clay of 51 followed by site 2 of 44.5, then by site three of 40.5 and lastly site four of 40 and lastly site three had the most humus of 5.5, followed site one of 3, then by site four of 2.5 and lastly site two of 1 and this suggests that the Carnivorous Sundew thrives in areas of a larger ratio of small particles to larger particles of soil. Site 5 had no Carnivorous Sundew but was dominated by a Palm March setting. On observation the soil seems to be wet and slippery and this suggests that the conditions were not suitable for

the growth and survival of The Carnivorous Sundew. Tress such as The Cajuca (Virola Surinamensis), Moriche Palm ( Mavitia Flexuosa), Olivier (Terminalia Obovata), Maripa/Corcorite Palm (Attalea Maripa) and the the Galba (Aphelandra Galba) were counted and then recorded to determine their species diversity. In conclusion it was seen the the physio-chemical parameters which affected the growth and survival of the Carnivorous Sundew were as follows as it thrives in conditions such as low soil nutrients, high water content of soil, acidic soil and water and in areas of a larger ratio of small particles to larger particles of soil.

CONCLUSION

In essence, it was observed that there was a variety of physio-chemical characteristics and trends whilst conducting this experiment. Site1 was seen to have the largest population of the Carnivorous Sundew plant and Site 4 had the least. From 24 plants in Site 1 to 4 plants in Site 4. This result displayed that Site 1 had the most suitable physio-chemical conditions for growth. With the use of site 1 having an abundance of Sundew, it reflected that these plants thrive greatest in regions of high stone density, water holding capacity and clay volume and in areas of least humus content and volumes of smaller particles. In this site it was slightly acidic but it was the highest in acidity both in water and soil. Via the use of experimental data and analysis the physio-chemical characteristics of the Aripo’s Open Savannah was measured, making this experiment a success.

RECOMMENDATIONS

 To improve these IA investigations should have been taken over a wider area of land.  To have a more accurate outcome of the aim, more samples should have been taken from each site visit on the same day.  More samples from more than one savannah should have been obtained.  The same general site of the Aripo’s Open Savannah One should have been visited on different days to obtain better variables.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 M.B.V. Roberts, June Mitchelmore, Nelson Thornes, Jul 1, 2000 - Biology text  Cxc Biology by Phil Bradfield, Steve Potter  Environmental Science: Systems and Solutions By Michael L. McKinney, Robert M. Schoch, Logan Yonavja  Environmental Science By G. Miller, Scott Spoolman

 Navindra Ramsaroop - Caribbean Educational Publishers, 2011 - Environmental sciences