UT Biodiversity Project
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Performance Outcome:
Asks specific questions about significant global science issue. Questions build on an evaluation of prior interpretations of evidence, a model,engineering design, or the premise of an argument.
Description:
In my freshman Biology class we visited three different bodies of water, and conducted different tests on the water and how it affects the environment in the surrounding area. We first went to Pace Bend, there we tested for phosphate which was .1 ppm, then we tested for nitrate which was 2 ppm. We also tested the water temperature which was 21.7 degrees celsius, and the air temperature which was 67 degrees fahrenheit. We made observations, so at pace bend there were lots of wildlife like vultures, ducks, minnows, and turtles. Then we got back on the road and headed to Mansfield dam. Here there was not as much wildlife and we made the observation that the water was moving very fast. The water also tested for fecal bacteria, which we ended noticing that every bodies of water that we visited tested positive for fecal bacteria which is most likely because the animals that surround the area and also the animals that live in the water, it could also be caused by water run off from the sewer. Next we went to Inks Lake. Here was noticed that there was a lot of algae which could be caused by the high PH levels. So we tested for PH, and the result of the test was 5.56, which means that the water is acidic because the normal PH level in water is around 7 and anything below that is considered acidic.So we concluded that the PH level was the cause of so much algae, at Inks Lake.
Reflection:
I feel that this project helped me better understand the effect biodiversity because it was interactive and we got to experience what we were researching. It also helped me learn what influences biodiversity like the environment around the bodies of water, for example animals, air temperature, plants, people, and water temperature. One issue that the loss of biodiversity has caused is, the spread of disease. First it increases the number of animals that are carrying a disease in a local population, and with the loss of habitat larger amounts of animals live in smaller spaces which causes them to spread more diseases. This has also caused humans to be in contact with disease carrying animals more frequently. To be able to maintain or increase biodiversity levels more people need to be informed on the many ways that biodiversity helps us and what we can do to help it like not using manure or chemical fertilizers. This can include farmers that feed hundreds of people, or for your lawn at home. This is a problem because when it rains or when you water your plants the run off goes into nearby lakes or rivers which causes all the chemicals to go into the lakes and rivers. So if more people are aware of how much we could lose if there is no biodiversity, we could come up with a solution and take action!
Asks specific questions about significant global science issue. Questions build on an evaluation of prior interpretations of evidence, a model,engineering design, or the premise of an argument.
Description:
In my freshman Biology class we visited three different bodies of water, and conducted different tests on the water and how it affects the environment in the surrounding area. We first went to Pace Bend, there we tested for phosphate which was .1 ppm, then we tested for nitrate which was 2 ppm. We also tested the water temperature which was 21.7 degrees celsius, and the air temperature which was 67 degrees fahrenheit. We made observations, so at pace bend there were lots of wildlife like vultures, ducks, minnows, and turtles. Then we got back on the road and headed to Mansfield dam. Here there was not as much wildlife and we made the observation that the water was moving very fast. The water also tested for fecal bacteria, which we ended noticing that every bodies of water that we visited tested positive for fecal bacteria which is most likely because the animals that surround the area and also the animals that live in the water, it could also be caused by water run off from the sewer. Next we went to Inks Lake. Here was noticed that there was a lot of algae which could be caused by the high PH levels. So we tested for PH, and the result of the test was 5.56, which means that the water is acidic because the normal PH level in water is around 7 and anything below that is considered acidic.So we concluded that the PH level was the cause of so much algae, at Inks Lake.
Reflection:
I feel that this project helped me better understand the effect biodiversity because it was interactive and we got to experience what we were researching. It also helped me learn what influences biodiversity like the environment around the bodies of water, for example animals, air temperature, plants, people, and water temperature. One issue that the loss of biodiversity has caused is, the spread of disease. First it increases the number of animals that are carrying a disease in a local population, and with the loss of habitat larger amounts of animals live in smaller spaces which causes them to spread more diseases. This has also caused humans to be in contact with disease carrying animals more frequently. To be able to maintain or increase biodiversity levels more people need to be informed on the many ways that biodiversity helps us and what we can do to help it like not using manure or chemical fertilizers. This can include farmers that feed hundreds of people, or for your lawn at home. This is a problem because when it rains or when you water your plants the run off goes into nearby lakes or rivers which causes all the chemicals to go into the lakes and rivers. So if more people are aware of how much we could lose if there is no biodiversity, we could come up with a solution and take action!