AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
ECO-COLUMNS
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this lab is to create simulated ecosystems in an effort to learn about ecosystems in
the real world.
PROCEDURE:
Part 1: Set-up of you eco-column
Steps 1-2 you should conduct in class with your eco-column group members. Steps 3-5 you
should do at home.
1. First identify what you are trying to discover through the creation of your eco-column.
Look over the demonstration and assembly diagram to understand each chamber.
2. Decide what components to include in each section (which organisms, type of soil, etc.).
See the list on the backside of this page for ideas.
3. Write a hypothesis for each of three habitats: aquatic, decomposition, and terrestrial.
4. Draw a diagram of your eco-column and identify the biotic and abiotic factors present in
each habitat.
5. Draw the potentially connected food webs you anticipate taking place within your ecocolumn. Make every effort to identify the species you have added as specifically as
possible. If an organism is unidentifiable, include a drawing of it.
Part 2: Construction
Assemble your eco-column according to the column assembly on Page 6. Building instructions
are on Page 4.
Part 3: Observation and Data Collection
Each week you will make observations of you eco-column (see data sheet). Each observation
should include:
 The date of your measurement
 The number of days your eco-column has been running
 pH
 Temperature
 Dissolved oxygen content of the aquatic chamber
 Qualitative observations (turbidity, plant growth, decomposition rate, fish status, odor)
See page
 Additional measurements as conducted (analysis of N-P-K content, etc.)
Part 4: Lab Write-up
Part of the scientific method involves disseminating what you have learned. You will do this in
the form of a lab write-up following the guidelines I have given you. Make sure you keep good
records in your lab book during the investigation so that you are not missing anything when it
comes time to write.
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IDEAS FOR CHAMBER COMPONENTS:
AQUATIC HABITAT

Fine grained aquarium gravel (provides “bedrock”)

Sand or topsoil (provides bottom sediment)

Untreated tap water or distilled water (provides aquatic habitat)

“Boulders,” “sunken logs,” and other miniature objects typical of a pond bottom

Aquatic plants and animals
COMPOST HABITAT

Fine grained aquarium gravel (provides “bedrock”)

Sand/topsoil mix (provides soil substrate)

Leaf litter (provides compost habitat)

A few chunks of turnips, potato, apple, or other roots, stems, or fruits

Twigs

Earthworms, pill bugs, millipedes, and other natural inhabitants of leaf litter
TERRESTRIAL HABITAT

Fine-grained aquarium gravel (provides “bedrock”)

Topsoil (provides soil substrate)

Leaf litter (provides decaying material)

“Boulders,” “dead trees,” and other miniature objects typical of a forest habitat

Terrestrial plants and animals

Food for animals as needed
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BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Follow the instructions for making cuts in Column Assembly
2. Melt or drill a hole in three of the bottle caps and screw onto the cap for F, D, C.
Note cap for D also has large hole in center.
3. Insert the straw through the hole in the bottle cap of what will be the Terrestrial
habitat (bottle D). Straw should extend below cap and above soil.
4. Invert Bottle D (terrestrial habitat) over Bottle C and invert both over Bottle B
(aquatic habitat).
STOCKING INSTRUCTIONS
Aquatic habitat (Bottle A)
5. Add a layer of sand or topsoil (about 1 inch) to the deep base.
6. Add a layer of gravel (about 1 inch) on top of the sand or topsoil.
7. Add water to a level about 1 inch below the top of the cut.
8. Plant aquatic plants with roots in the bottom sediment. A chopstick will help you
push the stems or roots into the ground.
9. Arrange “boulders” and other objects on the bottom sediment.
10. Add floating aquatic plants (duckweed).
11. Let the aquarium sit until the sediment settles.
12. Add aquatic animals.
Compost habitat (Bottle C)
13. Mix equal parts of sand and topsoil together and add leaf litter.
14. Mix food items in.
15. Add compost animals as needed (you may collect some with the leaf litter).
Terrestrial habitat (Bottle D)
16. Add a layer (¾ inch) of gravel to the Bottle D
17. Mix soil and potting soil together, moisten, and add a layer (3-4 inches) over the
gravel.
18. Add terrestrial animals that burrow to the soil (e.g., worms).
19. Plant terrestrial plants in the soil.
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20. Arrange “dead trees” and other objects on soil.
21. Add the remaining terrestrial animals.
Maintenance Instructions
22. Provide a light source, preferably indirect window light. A small desk lamp or
plant light will work, too. For artificial lights, provide 12 – 14 hours of light daily.
23. Add a small amount of water to the terrestrial habitat weekly or when it appears to
be drying out. A fine spray of water on the plants also maintains the unit well.
ECO-COLUMN DATA COLLECTION SCALES
Aquatic Fauna
Turbidity Scale
Live
Dead
Crystal Clear = 1
Slightly Cloudy = 2
Moderately Cloudy = 3
Very Cloudy = 4
Blackish or Brownish = 5
Odor Scale
No odor =1
(for Aquatic Habitat) Slight odor = 2
Smelly = 3
Very Smelly = 4
Devastating = 5
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ECO-COLUMN DATA COLLECTION
DATE: _______________
DO______
PERIOD: _________ TEAM: __________
TEMP (C) ___________ pH_________ TURBIDITY__________
NITROGEN________ PHOSPHATE ____________ ODOR _______________
TERRESTRIAL FAUNA _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
TERRESTRIAL FLORA_________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
DECOMPOSITION______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
AQUATIC FAUNA______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
AQUATIC FLORA______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
MICROORGANISMS____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
OTHER SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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