Taking Action

As I walked up to my plot I saw this sign, saying that the trails have been closed for the past week for hunting. So many of the trails have been picked up for the season, so I didn't find much trash. 

       

The trash I picked up:

     -shotgun shell

     -orange tape

     -gum wrapper

 This is my new trash-free plot:

Biotic or Not?

These are examples of Biotic Factors on my plot:

-Many plants allow for many organisms.
-Worms in soil, allow for food to birds.
-Trees allow for homes to birds and squirrels.
-Berries allow for food to deer.
-Trees and bushes allow for cover to deer.
-Soft soil allows for homes to chipmunks and snakes.
-Seeds from plants and trees allow for food to squirrels.
-Small stream allows for many small water bugs.
-Small bugs attract other larger insects and frogs.
-Scat from animals allows for fertile soil.
-Thick brush prevents humans from disturbing the spot.
-No hawks for falcons allow for small animals to flourish.
-Large, thick bushes allows for not many large predators to roam.


These are examples of Abiotic Factors on my plot:

-People walking; making a trail, allowing for nothing to grow on the trail.
-Low elevation near the trail, making for water runoff, creating deep ruts.
-Very limited sunlight, not much ground cover.
-Much rainfall allows for very green plants.
-Cold temperatures, allow for no tropical plants.
-Very fertile soil, allows for many plants.
-Rain prevents dry leaves, so no fires.

Looking Closely

These are the things I saw under the microscope:

First is a leaf from my plot, under 4x magnification. I was surprised that I could see the divisions with the veins in the leaf.

Second is the same leaf, under 10x magnification now. It was a little hard to focus it, but you can see the brown part is where a worm had eaten through the leaf.

This is a blade of grass from a small meadow on my plot. This picture is under 4x magnification, I like how you can see the small little cells of the grass.

This is the same blade of grass in the same place, just under 10x magnification. You can also see the cells more clearly now, and the rigid structure throughout the blade.

My Plot is an Ecosystem

These are the levels of organization on my plot:
         
          Species: American Robin (Turdus migratorius) and White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
         
          Population: A group of Wild Turkeys and a grove of Sumac bushes.

          Community: A group of sparrows singing and living around with deer; also Poisan ivy growing up
                    a tall maple tree.

          Ecosystem: My plot and the nature around it!

Expression

These are my poems for my Exression Project:

Sun

Bright, Warm

Illuminating, Energizing, Burning

Key To All Life

Star

Leaves

Green, Flat

Swaying, Falling, Crunching

Important Shade Giving Ingredient

Foliage

Trail

Twisted, Rough

Guiding, Winding, Growing

An Option To Take

Path

Meet My Plot

My plot is a relatively densely wooded area in the back of the Blanford Nature Preserve. This plot is right off the trails that Blanford has made. There is a small grassy piece of land in the front of my plot, surrounded by very dense brush. I chose this spot because it is easily accessible; also it is easy to observe the area from the grassy patch. This also allows for a bit of sunlight into my plot. I hear many birds singing and crickets chirping. All I can see is the end of a winding path, and many leaves.

 I’ve always spent much time Blanford because it is near my home. I have spent the night here in previous summers, and often come here to walk the trails, sit, or write. It is a very peaceful place, and one of my favorite places within biking range of my house.

Here's where my plot is: