Factors Causing Changes to the Ecosystem | Experiment

Factors Causing Changes to the Ecosystem | Experiment Madison Chapman Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this experiment was to better understand how an ecosystem changes over time by simulating the interaction between the aquatic, terrestrial and decaying parts of an ecosystem. Several variables of an aquatic chamber, terrestrial chamber, and decaying chamber were monitored to provide evidence for the changing of the ecosystems. Dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and turbidity, were some of the things measured and used as evidence to prove that the ecosystem was undergoing change. Obvious aesthetic changes were also noticeable, these were observed and recorded as changes within the environment. Without a complete and complex food chain, and with the small size of the ecosystem, it was not likely that the ecosystem would remain stable for a extended period of time. The lack of a food chain will not allow for larger organisms such as the fish and beetle to remain alive for a long time. The chambers should undergo similar changes that a normal ecosystem would. Methods The setup for the experiment was begun on September 9, 2013. Two liter soda bottles were used as the chambers for each environment type. The bottles were cleaned, cut to appropriate size, and taped together. Openings were cut into both the terrestrial and aquatic environment to allow access for testing. The top chamber was the decomposition environment. Two rotting banana peels, decaying leaves, and†¦ were added to the decomposition column, the top column. Rocks, soil, grass, moss, sticks, three earthworms, and one beetle were inserted into the middle, terrestrial chamber. A long stick was inserted through the decomposition chamber, into the terrestrial chamber to connect the two chambers. The bottom aquatic chamber was filled with local lake water and some aquatic plants. At the beginning of November the dissolved oxygen levels in the water were high and had stabilized, so a fish was added to the chamber. Upon each sampling event several variables were measured in the aquatic a nd terrestrial chambers. In the aquatic chamber turbidity, color, Nitrate, Dissolved Oxygen, alkalinity, pH, and temperature were measured and recorded. In the terrestrial chamber Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, and pH levels were measured and recorded. Also during each sampling event visual observations were made and recorded for both chambers. The sampling events were biweekly for most of the experiment. Throughout the experiment there were six sampling events; these were on September 9, October 1, October 8, October 22, November 5, and December 3. The experiment lasted a total of 75 days, with the last sampling event on December 3, 2013. Results Table 1 The ecosystem appeared to be stable until around the third sampling event. The ecosystem was growing and stabilizing. In the aquatic chamber dissolved oxygen was slowly increasing as well as alkalinity. In the terrestrial chamber potassium increased from an adequate level to a sufficient one. On October 22 the nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous levels in the soil declined significantly from the last sampling event. There were also small fluctuations visible in the aquatic variables we tested. The dramatic depletion of almost all variables observed on the November 5th sampling event was foreshadowed by the turning of the water from clear to yellow. This showed the first signs of changes within the environment. On the November 5th sampling event the water in the aquatic chamber was green, the dissolved oxygen and alkalinity levels dropped considerably. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous levels were all depleted in the soil. Figure 1 With the exception of alkalinity most of the aquatic variables that were measured and recorded stay remotely constant. Turbidity did increase steadily toward the end of the experiment and the dissolved oxygen levels decreased. This was shown by the green water color that was observed. Discussion ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. NUMBER EACH QUESTION. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RETYPE THE QUESTIONS!! Identify two Food Chains or Food Webs in each of your habitats (chambers). Use arrows to illustrate these food chains and food webs; complete sentences are not required. Use extra paper if needed. Aquatic Chamber Decomposition Chamber (top soil chamber) Terrestrial Chamber Identify and briefly discuss the biogeochemical cycles which are taking place/which are present in your EcoColumns. Do not merely state that â€Å"they are all present†; instead, provide more specific information. water cycle nitrogen cycle carbon cycle phosphorous cycle Is your ecosystem column a closed or open system? or is it something in between a closed or open system? Explain how this (closed, open or other) influences the ecosystem column overall. The ecosystem is closed with the exception of when things were added such as the fish or â€Å"rain water.† There are no outside forces working on the ecosystem, such as wind. What kind of niches are available/present for the various organisms in the column? Be specific, descriptive, and use terminology that is pertinent to the topic. The larger organism could hold the role of predator and prey on the smaller organisms. Most of the smaller organisms and the earthworms held the roles of decomposers. Discuss evidence of ecological succession taking place in your column (or in the column of another lab group if you have not observed any signs of succession in your column). One group whose ecocolumn water turned completely black in the first few weeks of testing experienced succession. Eventually the water cleared and the oxygen levels rose. Discuss the stability and sustainability of the ecosystem columns in the lab, including your own. The ecocolumns appeared to show moderate stability throughout the experiment, however, once in deviations in a variable occurred the ecocolumn seemed to change rapidly. The ecocolumns were sustainable until around two to three weeks before the experiment ended. Discuss three trends or patterns which stand out as you think back on the data which you have been recording for 6 weeks. These trends or patterns should apply to the water quality tests or other observations which you have made over this multi-week time period. Briefly discuss these three trends or patterns, providing possible explanations based on environmental science principles. Fluctuation in dissolved oxygen tend to be a precursor to fluctuation in other things. Water color was a good indicator of dissolved oxygen levels. Turbidity and dissolved oxygen are inversely linked. Explain what eutrophication refers to and how this occurs. Apply this explanation to your ecosystem column. How might eutrophication take place in your column? Explain fully. Eutrophication is the excessive increase in nutrients that causes an overgrowth in aquatic plant life, the plants become so dense it causes death in organisms and a loss of oxygen. If a large amount of nutrients drains from the soil of the terrestrial chamber into the aquatic chamber, then eutrophication may occur. Pick another group in your class. How do your data compare to theirs? Brainstorm some causes/reasons for any differences. The group in front of us has several sources of error such as bad lake water, and lack of precision during sampling events. Finally, address any sources of error in this lab. This should be narrated in a â€Å"cause and effect† manner and talk about specific problems. A good example would be â€Å"water did not drain from the terrestrial chamber so †¦Ã¢â‚¬  while a bad example would be â€Å"we messed up the measuring one day.† There was not an adequate amount of rainwater added to the environment as we were not in control of when the ecosystem was watered. The ecosystem was not completely closed because of the holes that had to be cut into the ecosystem for testing purposes, this allowed for unknown outside organisms to enter the environment. Conclusion (~.5 page) Write a brief summary paragraph as your â€Å"conclusion†. Address what did you learned that you did not know prior to the experiment? What were the most important findings of the project and why? The ecocolumn remained fairly stable and function for the first few weeks of the experiment. Not until three weeks before the experiment was concluded were fluctuations in the tested variables observable. Eventually due largely to the small size of the ecosystem and the incomplete food chain within it, the ecosystem broke down and the levels of nutrients began to greatly decline, as well as the dissolved oxygen levels within the aquatic chamber. Prior to this experiment I had never seen eutrophication in person. The opportunity to observe and further study eutrophication will help me later. The most important finding of this experiment was that different parts of an ecosystem (aquatic, terrestrial, decomposing) are all linked together. The variables in each part can easily influence variables in another part. References (on a separate page) You must use at least three (3) sources in your report. Cite them using the correct parenthetical or footnote format as indicated by the APA style guide that was handed out in class. If you do not know how to format the parenthetical citations or the bibliography, please see Mrs. Houston for help before the paper is due! TSA Program. (2013, May 23).Eutrophication. Retrieved from http://toxics.usgs.gov/definitions/eutrophication.html Ritter, M. E. (2009, October 1). Biochemical cycles. Retrieved from http://www4.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/earth_system/biogeochemical_cycles.html Britannica, E. (2007, April 6). Niches. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/topic/414016/history Eco-column Grading Sheet

Stop This Train by John Mayer

Connecticut, John Mayer charmed his listeners with his poignant lyrics, sweet melodies, and mellow grooves. Since the release of his successful debut album, Room for Squares, his clever songwriting has grown Into breathtaking poetry. He demonstrated his ever evolving progress with the release of his fourth studio album, Continuum, in 2006. The album takes maturity as a theme throughout, with songs ranging from the politically charged â€Å"Waiting for the World to Change† to the heartbreaking and sultry sound of â€Å"Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. Stop This Train,† also a song from John Mayor's Continuum, speaks of the unpredictable ground between adolescence and adulthood. It was written during a time which Mayer referred to as â€Å"solitary refinement;† He lied In bed suffering from double kidney stones and living in a hotel while finding a new residence. In a state of uncertainty and seemingly hopeless venture, John Mayer wrote the song for those of us stra ddling the new world, trying to figure out not necessarily who we are, but how to be who we are.He knew that, despite their lack of familiarity with his personal tuition, any person who listened to the lyric of the song could relate to life's daunting train ride. In the song, the train ride acts as an extended metaphor for the onward rush of life, which carries us forward and takes us past people and things we wish to linger with. Meyers lyrics echo the feelings of so many young adults who are contemplating their future-?starting to build a new life, leaving old ones behind, losing loved ones, and becoming their own person. In the first stanza, Mayer introduces his perplexed state of mind with his struggle to face truth.He begins his Eng with Irony, â€Å"No I'm not coloration / I know the world Is black and white† (1-2), claiming that he possesses the ability to see the true colors of the world. The colors black and white represent the speaker's belief that the world is simp ly one way or another. The word ‘blind' and the speaker's ability to see create an oxymoron because of their contradicting natures. In lines 3-4, â€Å"Try to keep an open mind but†¦ I Just can't sleep on this tonight,† Mayer expresses his troubles that make him restless. The song also symbolizes a reminder of life's Inevitability.It streams forward like a train, ND never can you go back to a certain point In time because there's no getting off, no changing direction, no stopping. Mayer creates a mental picture of the careening train ride in lines 5-8, â€Å"Stop this train / I want to get off and go home again / I can't take the speed that it's moving in. † The use of imagery demonstrates Meyers understanding of what his audience experiences. In attempt to fully transport the listener to the scene, the song begins with a catchy up and down melody that simulates a feeling of a trait's wheels turning over and over again.The snares played wrought â€Å"Stop T his Train† match the rhythmic sound of a train so as to allow the audience to picture themselves also on this never ending journey. The high and low notes of the guitar may also signify life's ups and downs. By using the train as a metaphor, Mayer mirrored the rush of nostalgia as people live their lives day by day and suddenly decide to take a look back at how far they've come. Just like a train ride, one doesn't realize how far and fast their Journey has taken them until they stop to take a look around. In life, everyone fears death or loss.As adulthood looms, so does ten mortar y AT our parents Mayer vocalizes tans Tear, â€Å"Don't want to see my parents go' (9). And while no one ever does, the time we become adults ourselves is when we begin to see the age in those that have shaped our lives. We see the death of our grandparents and realize we are a â€Å"generation away from fighting life out on my own† (10-11). And we panic because our parents, for so many of us , have been the safety net into which we fall. We begin to realize that safety net will not always be there. In truth, we are afraid of what we don't know, which is why Mayer claims â€Å"I'm only good at being young† (17).The thought of adulthood can be overwhelming as we realize that there's no stop button, that no one can stop this train. In the stanza about the conversation with his father, Mayer learns the best way to experience life is by not changing it. His father advises, â€Å"Don't for a minute change the place you're in / Don't think I couldn't ever understand†¦ John, honestly we'll never stop this train† (23-26) The only thing we can really do is appreciate life's train ride; because wherever it may take us, we're all in it together. The lyric in â€Å"Stop This Train† somewhat reflects life's timeline.At a younger, more naive age we take for granted our family until we start aging and realizing that our time with them is, in fact, limited. In the song, Mayer goes from begging for someone to stop this train to accepting that he can't so he might as well enjoy the ride. The song is about being forced to let go of things, and accepting these losses. It's about the angst and unfamiliarity that comes with moving into unknown parts of life. The fact that no matter what, we can't stop a day from turning into a week or a year from into turning into a decade, and the thought of this can seem a little intimidating and disheartening.As humans we only know what we've experienced, and the idea of having to readjust and move forward without any regard for personal desire can be downright terrifying. Growing up, children aren't inclined to to miss a thing because they haven't experienced the state of apprehension when they're asked the inevitable question: What do you want to do with your life? â€Å"Once in a while when it's good / It'll feel lie it should / And they're all still around / And you're still safe and sound† (27-31 ). But as time progresses, the days when we were lulled into a false calm are gone and we realize we don't miss what we have till it's gone.And you don't miss a thing / till you cry when you're driving away in the dark† (32-33). Mayor's style of songwriting mirrors a sort of conversation he is having with himself, his family and friends, and also with his own time. Just as the songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart, Mayor's songs are Just as full of importance as the music and beats to which they are set. Many people listen to songs for their uplifting melodies and dance-inspiring beats, but the deeper words in the lyrics prove that what's in a song is equally important to what's not there.In â€Å"Stop This Train,† Mayer oratory himself as Just another person coping with the apprehension and fear of loved ones dying, growing old, and facing life and all its difficulties. His fame and talent may veil the sorrows he faces on a daily basis from being away f rom his loved ones. The hidden message behind â€Å"Stop This Train† could embody a more personal than empathetic message. The harsh truth remains that, no matter how memorable or eventful our lives are, no one can escape time. Whether or not we'll grow to be 68, we will all be forced to brave more responsibility, expectations, and independence as we mature.

Establishing Effective Working Relationship Essay

Establishing effective working relationship is one of the domain in the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s core competencies which have to be achieved in order to become a mentor (NMC 2006) I will discuss the important aspects mentor needs to consider during the initial interview with my learner. This time my learner is a new member of the staff. On his first day, I introduced myself, orientated and welcomed him to the unit. Nickin and Kenworthy ( 2000) mention orientation to a new placement (in my case a new job placement) as a key issue in practice learning climate. Competency pack was discussed including all his learning contracts and eventually agreed to a one month supernumery status and regular meetings for evaluation. I tried to established a professional yet relaxed relationship with the learner. This enables the learner to be more comfortable. Spouse (1996) cited in Buttleworth et al ( 1998) highlighted that learning in clinical practice works best when mentors develop a caring and trusting relationship with the learner. Amongst the learning needs he identified was the familiarization of the fasting guidelines. Exploring that learning outcome, we have discussed that every learning outcomes should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound (SMART). The NMC in 2006 requires mentors to support students or learners in critically reflecting upon their learning. Knowles (1984) discusses the learner’s involvement in identifying their learning needs, mutual planning, formulation of objectives and helping the learners to carry out their plan. Initiating a day with an aneasthetist will give my learner an opportunity for more understanding of his learning needs, and eventually be able to confidently practice his learnings. Indeed it is true that there are vast learning opportunities offered if not, available in their new practice placement or a new job placement. But I always believe that it is largely the learner’s responsibi lity to capitalize on their learning opportunities offered to them. Saarikoski (2003) defines a clinical learning environment as a group of stable characteristics unique to a particular clinical setting that have an impact on the behaviour of individuals within the setting. Learning opportunities available in the placement of a new job were identified initially. Few of which are venipuncture skills, communication skills, learning surgical procedures in an in depth manner, and understanding and interpretation of blood results. Thorell-Ekstrand and Bjorvell (1995) and Donaldson and Carter (2005 said, that clinical placement provides learner with optimal opportunities to observe role models, practice on their own and reflect on what is seen, heard, sensed and done. An initial performance review is set. This enables the mentor and the learner to review all learning needs were met and up to date. Considering any problems being encountered during the process. Considering learners weak and strong points. Miller and O’Brien (1986) identified that regular meetings and development of an action plan aids on going evaluation of the learners progress. Stuart (2007) states that, the initial interview or meeting is an ideal opportunity for the mentor to commence a facilitative relationship with the learner. Being a new member of the staff, I have to consider previous work experience. Stuart (2007) also suggest that an evaluation of the learner’s learning must be considered, as this will guide subsequent pl ans for learning. Conclusion I am confident that after considering all the factors during the initial interview, my learner will be able to adjust well in his new work environment. I have always been approachable and an open minded person. I am certain it will help me and my learner to work very well and produce a good if not an excellent outcome. Ogier (1989:37) stated that â€Å"facilitating learning cannot be divorced from competent management and humane relationship†.

Tobacco and the Brain Essay - 1067 Words

Tobacco and the Brain Recent surveys show that 25 % of all American adults smoke despite the fact that tobacco is the No.1 cause of death (430,000 annual) and disease in this country (1). The life of a 30-year older that smokes 15 cigarettes a day is shortened by an average of more than five years (2). Why do people smoke despite the fact that it shortens their life? Why has this practice of smoking tobacco been around for 1000 years? There must be something that the human body or mind gains in spite of the threat of an early death. I realize this craving for nicotine on a personal level because I smoke. Smokers self-reported motives for smoking include stress reduction and improved circulation (3). That sounds like my reasons. Plus†¦show more content†¦Stimulating fibers originating in the nucleus accumbens is interpreted by the brain as the neurotransmitter equivalent of Good--lets have it again (2). High dopamine levels result in the desire for repeated increase of dopamine (4). Activation of this pleasure/ reward circuit also causes a cascade of biochemical changes in your brain cells, creating a memory of the event and the motivation to do it again, hence the setup for addiction (1). I guess it was a human misfortune that we discovered addictive drugs like nicotine that just fit into the dopamine receptor and are rewarded with pleasure (dopamine) even though they are not survival related, worse yet deadly. Chronic exposure to nicotine results not only in physical addiction but also in mental addiction. Cigarette fixation is a combination of nicotine dependency due to the nucleus accumbens wanting more dopamine as it is stimulated, and deeply engrained behavior habits. For some people, the feel, smell, and sight of a cigarette and the usual rituals of obtaining, handling, lighting, and smoking the cigarette are all associated with the pleasurable effects of smoking (4). Also, places and times can have traditions of smoking built into them, like after sex, after meals, driving in a car or walking to class or work. These particular rituals, times, and places associated with the pleasurable effects of smoking can cause cravings and makeShow MoreRelatedSaving Lives By Illegalizing Tobacco1465 Words   |  6 PagesIllegalizing Tobacco As soon as the door opens to any store, most of the time there will be a tobacco related product nearby. In today’s society there is controversy on whether drugs should be sold to the public, but most of these controversies do not involve tobacco related products. Tobacco products are widely used, but these tobacco are not safe. Cigarettes and other tobacco products should be illegal because tobacco is composed of many harmful chemicals. Anybody who comes in contact with a tobacco substanceRead MoreThe Harmful Effects Of Smoking Cigarettes964 Words   |  4 PagesTobacco is widely used by people around the world. 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