Cladogram Illustrating Clustering of Organism Lab Report

Cladogram Illustrating Clustering of Organism Lab Report

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BSC 2011L – Padron Campus: The Biocube Lab
What Is a Biocube?
Nathalie Martinez
Olivia Martinez
Lilliam Parajon
Brianna Morales
A biocube is a fun, informative, and manageable way of exploring the biodiversity in the
world around you by focusing on a cubic foot of space. By looking closely and documenting
the life in a small area, one can get a better understanding of how different ecosystems
are structured and how they function.
Introduction
There is a lot of life just outside our door that we never see – in the grass, under rocks,
hidden bushes or in the water. Exploring this hidden life or biodiversity is a fantastic way
to connect with the natural world while practicing scientific thinking and science skills. One
way to do this is to use a Biocube, which allows one to look for the biodiversity in a cubic
foot of space. In this activity, explorers build a Biocube out of household items, then use
it to investigate nature in a small area just outside their home.
See videos below:
Why is biodiversity so important? – TED-Ed
Biodiversity ecosystems and ecological networks – California Academy of Sciences
Learning Goals
v Get outside to connect with nature.
v Observe and document the biodiversity that lives near you by looking for hidden life in
a cubic foot of space.
v Develop science skills, such as making observations, sorting and identifying plants and
animals, recording data, drawing conclusions, and creative problem solving.
Materials
v Frame material (many options, select one): wire or plastic coat hangers, sticks, pieces
of wood, cardboard, straws
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v Tape or string or glue
v Ruler
v Data sheet
v Pen or Pencil
v Phone with camera
v Ball or rock
v Blindfold
Task 1: Build the Biocube
1) Gather twelve pieces of stiff material to construct a frame.
2) Cut or fasten each frame to a length of 12 inches.
3) Assemble twelve pieces of the stiff material into a cube using glue, tape, or string.
4) Make sure the biocube can support itself without human assistance.
Task 2: Backyard Biodiversity
1) With the aid a partner, blind fold yourself.
2) Let your partner walk you to your backyard with a rock or ball in your hand.
3) Your partner will place you in the center of they yard and spin you around three times,
though, you should not face the original position.
4) Gently toss the rock or ball forward in the direction you’re facing; afterward, remove
the blindfold.
5) Travel to the rock or ball, place your biocube there.
6) Record, on your data sheet, all living organisms inside the biocube: plants included.
7) It’s ok if you do not know the specific names; however, record their names through
descriptions. Also, take photos of the organism, which can be uploaded to iNaturalists
to assist in species identification. Clear photos of the organisms are easier to identify.
8) Estimate the number of individuals of each species inside the biocube.
9) Repeat this process two mores. Go back to the center of your yard. Do not survey the
same area.
Task 3: Organize and Identify: Data
1) In your group, decide the best way to organize the data for analysis and interpretation.
2) Share images and descriptions to help identify organisms.
3) Upload unidentifiable organisms to iNaturalists for assistance from experts (this may
take several days or weeks).
4) Unidentifiable species can label as unknown species 1 and so on.
5) The refined data should be transferred to a word doc or excel.
Task 4: Excel: Data Analysis and Interpretation
1) Upload your organized data to Excel.
2) Determine the overall average number of species in your yard; separate into plant and
animal species, too.
3) The instructor will demonstrate the steps to perform an ANOVA statistical analysis.
4) You will work with a new partner and perform the ANOVA together. Comparing
biodiversity in your backyard against their backyard’s biodiversity.
5) Afterward, obtain the P-value and work on the final concluding statement, which you will
report to the class regarding your backyard’s biodiversity.
Task 5: Presentation Time – Scientific Conference
1) Prepare a group PowerPoint presentation for the following week.
2) Include an introduction, methods, table with data, statistical analysis and results,
concluding remark, and relevance beyond the study.
Final Thoughts
1) What contributed to high or low biodiversity in the backyards (2 pts)?
To the High Biodiversity:
-Build a garden
-Use flowers that will atract birds and
insects which will helppollination
-use the least amount of pesticides
-Make sure the garden is protected from pollution substances
To the Low Biodiversity:
-Pollution
-Over pollution
-garbage
-use of chemicals
-exposure to a lot of sun
2) What advantages do students well-versed in species identification have against
students not as well-versed in identifying species (2 pts)?
a. Advantages: A student who understandsspeciesidentification is a competent observer of the species’ activities a
maintain and encourage a favorable environment for its development and reproduction. Can inform others about
species’ development and raise awareness about it.
b. Disadvantage: We can harm species without realizing it, for example, we are lowering bee nectar production by
applying fungicidesto blossoming flowers and plants, which harm pollinators and have an impact on honey prod
Pesticide side effects are beneficial to plant development but harmful to humans; thisis occurring because we are
unaware of the species’ disadvantages.
3) What is biodiversity, is it important: briefly explain (2 pts)?
The term “biodiversity” refersto the diversity of all living species on the planet, including plants, animals, and m
a: It ensures life’s long-term viability. It gives us food, shelter, clothing, and a variety of other benefits.
b: It plays a vital part in evolution; every species exhibits signs of life’s evolution. Biodiversity aids in the knowled
diverse species’ life functions and theirsignificance in ecosystem maintenance. 3
4) What type of nature is living outside in your backyard (2 pts)?
In my backyard we found some species: – white flowers, red grass, fussy plant, plant with white stains, small
leave plants, mint plants, yellow plant, light green plant, and flowers about to bloom.
Trial 1: Trial 2: Trial 3:
5) How do statistical analyses strengthen our concluding remarks for the study, briefly
explain (2 pts)?
The degree to which conclusions regarding the connection between variables based on data are true or
“logical” is known as statistical conclusion validity. The employment of suitable sample techniques,
appropriate statistical tests, and accurate measuring procedures are all required for statistical
conclusion validity.
We did this by comparing the numbers of species in three different location of the same area, we can
have an idea of the environment that the species prefer. For example, if a species is more relevant in
the part where the sun hits the most, then it is most likely that you will find those kinds of plant in
tropical and hot environment. In addition, by doing a statistical analysis, we can detect those species
that can be in danger of extinction.
Extra Credit: What kind of habitat is the typical American lawn (+ 1pt)?
Biodiversity deserts, it has few animals and plants species and do not provide habitat for birds. Lawns make up the majority
of the average American yard, yet they are biodiversity deserts, with few plant and animal species and limited bird habitat.
Housekeeping
1) Submit your Excel sheet with ANOVA Test to Blackboard.
2) Submit your PowerPoint presentation with the completed table and graphs from Excel.
3) Answer the questions on page 3 and 4.
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