Science 207 Lab

Introduction

1. What question does this study aim to answer? State the hypothesis that you tested.

Scientifically prove the effects of habitat fragmentation associated with deforestation and urban sprawl on forest food webs and ecosystem processes.

Methods

2. Briefly describe the methods of data collection and analysis you used to test your hypothesis.

I utilized an excel spreadsheet to record data of different elements added to the environment at different percentages.

3. What scientific procedure did you follow to answer your question and test your hypothesis?

I utilized introducing four different elements into a habitat at different stages (percentages). I utilized plant life, wild life (deer/elk), and wolves (predator).

This allowed me to see track the population as different elements were added to the process.

Results

3. Look at your results table. What were the impacts of fragmentation on each species’ population numbers when all four were present?

When all four were present, it produced at different impact at every stage.

At zero percent everything was reduced (except for the wolf)

At 25 and 50 percent SFG and BBWF flourished where Deer/Elk and Wolf decreased.

At 75 percent BBWF and Deer/Elk leveled off (stayed the same), SFG and the wolf flourished.

Do you accept or reject your hypothesis? Yes

Support your answer with reference to the specific results upon which you are basing your finding.

I based my finding on the sample taken and measured at different stages of the research. I was able to add the elements one by one, until all habit was inclusive. This allowed me to sample each item in the food chain, until adding the Alpha of the food chain.

4. Did you observe any thresholds of fragmentation beyond which a species’ population number rapidly declined? The Deer/Elk population stayed the same at all stages.

Did the effects of any such threshold on one species cascade through the community to impact other species?...