Lab # 2: How does your biome grow?
Problem: What impact do abiotic factors have on biomes?
Hypothesis: Use what you know about ecosystems and ecology to write a hypothesis
indicating the effect of an abiotic factor of your choice on the germination of plants in a
model biome.
If I pour the abiotic factors into the bottle, then the dirt will get nourished from
the nutrients and the plants will grow better.
Procedures:
1. I received a bottle for the biomes.
2. Then, I collected some abiotic objects like twigs and leaves.
3. Next, I put some dirt in the bottle.
4. Then, I put those abiotic factors inside of the bottle.
5. Then, I received the seed and placed it in the dirt.
6. I watered it afterward. Then, I placed the cap back on the bottle and put it away.
7. After it had been sitting for a few weeks, we get the bottle to peer inside to see
what exactly changed.
Data & Observations:
We noticed that there was fuzz growing on some of the leaves and the soil. The seed did
not grow. Also, the bottle cap was removed so the methane gas was released before. We
did not smell it, but instead smelled leaves and dirt.
Analyze & Conclude:
1. On which abiotic factor did you focus? Why?
We mostly focused on leaves because they are normally found on the ground where seeds
grow.
2. Did this abiotic factor seem to have a significant impact on the dependent variable
in your simulated ecosystem? Explain.
Yes, because the abiotic factors probably smothered the seed so it couldn’t grow through
the leaves.
3. Describe the control in your experiment. What was held constant in the control?
Why was it set up that way?
We controlled the abiotic factors that were put inside if the contained ecosystem. The
abiotic factors were held constant, because we didn’t add anything after we put in the
original factors. The leaves and twigs were there the whole time. It was set up that way
so that the experiment could be more controlled.
4. How does your experiment relate to biomes and abiotic factors in nature?
This shows that in the nature, the seed wouldn’t be able to survive if the leave was
covered with leaves the way that it was in the bottle.
5. What are some possible sources of error in your experiment?
We possibly put too much stuff in the bottle, which suffocated the seed. Also, someone
removed the cap prematurely.
6. Exchange your procedure and data with another group in your class. What do
their data show about the biome they chose to simulate? What conclusions can
you draw about the abiotic factors in a biome?
7. What are the limitations of the design of this experiment? Are there additional
factors at work?
Yes, because we couldn’t simulate any possible weather that would affect the growth of
the seed.
Write and Discuss
Write a short paragraph describing your findings and indicating whether or not they
support your hypothesis. Discuss any questions your results have raised.
My findings certainly didn’t support my hypothesis. First, the amount of abiotic
substances was too much. We had put in quite a bit of leaves and twigs. The soil was
more than covered. This, in turn, was hazardous to the health of the seed. Because of all
of the leaves on the ground, the seed did not have room to grow. The excess leaves
smothered it. Ironically, the very thing that I had thought would nourish the seed was
what had prevented it from growing. However, I think that there is a possibility that my
hypothesis could’ve been right. If we had put less stuff inside of the bottle, then the seed
could’ve survived. If there were less leaves, then they could’ve decayed and the nutrients
would be absorbed. Then, that would be beneficial. Still, in the end, my hypothesis was
disproved because of the overabundance of abiotic factors.
1. Describe the rainfall pattern and abiotic factors that make up the biome you live
in. How do these factors impact the plants, animals, and agriculture in your area?
The abiotic factors in Wyoming’s weather are very dry and cold. However, it
rains sometimes and snows a lot. There is also a lot of wind. These effect the
plants because the wind can strip away the leaves from the trees. Also, the cold
weather will kill off the plants and the animals hibernate.
2. If you were to maintain your biomes in the classroom or at home, what abiotic
factors would you change from your original model? Make a prediction about
what you would observe under the new conditions.
First, I would a lot less leaves and twigs in. They would only be scattered across the
soil lightly. Also, there might be some flower petals to provide additional nutrients. I
think that the seed might actually have a chance of growing, since there would be
room.