How altitude and latitude affect configuration of biomes in Southern Arizona and Central Oregon
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AbstractI identified several areas of moss growth around the BYU campus and observed them for short-term growth and the effects of location and sunlight, precipitation, and natural debris (such as leaves). The presence of water seemed to have the greatest influence on the moss, with debris having less effect, and temperature and light having little observable influence. (This was not a controlled experiment, and I didn’t separate the different mosses into controlled groups to evaluate the extent of these influences, but my conclusions agree with previous findings. Further studies should be done to be more precise.) KEY WORDS: moss growth, temperature, precipitation Weather change affecting diversity in birds (Aves) in Provo parks; Provo, Utah, U.S.A. Natalie Horne, 2105 North 40 West Apt. 329, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: Natzcool4u2nv@hotmail.com Abstract: The purpose of this study was to see how the diversity of birds (Aves) is affected by change in weather and air temperature and thereby determine which birds do and do not migrate during the fall season. There are many similar experiments done by other scientists across the world that all involve different bird species in different environments and I wanted to do a study on the birds that can be found specifically in the Provo area. By observing birds on site, a conclusion could be made as to which birds migrate due to weather change and which birds do not simply by noting the presence or absence of the particular bird. Observations were made in a wooded area near Provo River with local birds to determine the different species present. The observations were done at eight a.m. each time and lasted approximately forty-five minutes each time. The air temperature was recorded on site and any significant weather factors, including rain, snow, or frost. I was expecting a significant decline in the diversity of the birds as the weather got colder, however, data showed that there was no significant decline in the diversity of species. Which flavor is preferred most by ants (Formicidae) by the Provo River: Provo, Utah, U.S.A.
Kellyn M. Howell, 1130 West 450 North Apt. 112, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: khsunset46@yahoo.com Abstract Ants, or formicidae, are naturally drawn to sweet things when looking for things to eat. Everyone has seen a movie where the family is having a delightful picnic lunch and out of nowhere, a horde of ants appear and start eating the warm Belgian chocolate brownies that the actress spent hours in the kitchen preparing in order to impress her boyfriend. But is this just a phenomenon made up for the movies? Or does this happen in real life to? Is there a scientific reasoning behind it? Is there a certain kind of sweet that they are more drawn to? I went to the Provo River to study the ants in that area. The purpose of this study was to find out what ants eat in nature, if they prefer people food, and which foods are they more drawn to. Keywords: Formicidae, drawn to, sweets, Provo River The Effect Color has on Life Melissa D. Hoyt, 1849 N 200 W Apt. 104, Provo, Utah 84604. Email: mormonmissy@yahoo.com Abstract My study of how color affects the earth was done by two concepts: natural observation and a controlled experiment. My observations consisted of keeping records and analyzing which color habitats animals and insects dwelt in the most. I found that darker areas tends to be more abundant in life than lighter area. However, this is not always the case because creatures use colors differently to survive. I also performed a controlled experiment in which I had four different colored containers all lined up in the same area outside. I let them sit for several afternoons gathering the data daily; the results came out very similar to the observation results. Thus, the darker container resulted in more life while the lighter ones resulted in little to none. My main findings are that life tends to be attracted to darker, richer, colors while lighter areas tend to attract less. Keywords: controlled experiment; observations; color Color Influence in Foraging Choice of Ants (Formicoidea) in Provo Canyon Glen Park: Provo, Utah Alexandra Huish, 1218 David John Hall, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: Ali.huish@gmail.com Abstract Ants (Formicoidea) seem to like to eat anything they can get, but more research is needed to see if they are drawn to a certain color for their food source. Local ants in Provo Canyon Glen Park in Provo Utah were experimented on to see if they have a preference to food on certain colors. Napkins of different color were placed on the ground. Each napkin had a slice of bread broken into small pieces on it to experiment if ants go to a certain napkin color. The tested hypothesis was that the ants would forage off of the red napkin. The results were that the ants preferred the color yellow, proving the hypothesis incorrect. Keywords: Color preference, observation
Landon Hyde, Undergraduate, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602 Email: ldizzie04@hotmail.com Abstract
I looked at the responses of the local fishes of Ko Olina Hawaii to several different foreign objects. These objects covered four areas: shiny, white, black, and clear. The objects themselves were tinfoil, a white hand towel, a black and towel, and a clear Ziploc bag. My hypothesis was simply that more fish would react to the tin foil then the other three objects and that the white towel would be looked at the second highest amount of times. Based on my observations my hypothesis was correct many of the larger fish, including the red bullethead parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus), teardrop butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus), and the blue bullethead parrotfish (which are the same species as the red only males), were all attracted to the tinfoil. Some of the smaller fish, namely the Hawaiian Sergeant (Abudefduf abdominalis), were attracted to the white hand towel. Keywords: response, observations, attracted, fish behavior, foreign objects Physiological Characteristics of Amphitornus coloradus, stripped grasshoppers found at base of Y Mountain, Provo Utah, that enable long distance and high vertical jumps. Paige Irwin, Undergraduate, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84606 Email: pirwin@byu.net Amphitornus coloradus, or striped grasshoppers that can be found all over the earth. This experiment discusses a population of striped grasshoppers found at the base of Y Mountain. Vertical height and long distance were observed along with the physiology of their high legs. It is concluded that mass/volume and muscle power is relative. Muscle power is a much greater part of the mass in a smaller size. This allows grasshoppers to make high and long jumps. It is also found that as striped grasshoppers develop, their jumping abilities develop as well. With each moult, the jumping ability, including height and distance, increases. Key words: striped grasshopper, jump, Amphitornus coloradus, vertical height. The Cycle of a Deciduous Tree During Fall Amie N. C. Isom, 218 E Richards Hall Provo, Utah 84604 Email: amieisom@mac.com Abstract As the seasons change, plants go through cycles to prepare themselves for the differences in weather conditions. What do trees do to prepare themselves for the cold winter months? And is there anything they are doing now during fall to prepare themselves for spring to come again? The purpose of this nature experiences it to determine why trees do what they do. Observations will be made and research will be done to try and determine why trees change colors, why they loose their leaves, and if they do anything to prepare for spring as they loose their leaves. Key Words: Deciduous trees, midrib, Bradford Pear tree, leaves
Vanessa James. Undergraduate. Brigham Young University. Provo, Utah 84604. Email: uot2dance@mac.com Abstract: Autumn can be a breathtaking high point for deciduous trees as all of the leaves change from green to vibrant colors. A wide variety of differently sized and shaped trees display their best color just before their leaves fall. Observations were made at Rock Canyon Park with local trees of three varying species, all with noticeably different leaf shape and size: the white oak (Quercus alba), the box elder (Acer negundo), and the white willow (Salix alba). The purpose of this study was to see if the size of the leaf had an effect on how quickly the leaf changed from green to fall colors, in the same environment and under the same conditions. Each week the high and low temperature was recorded as well as the percentage of leaves than had fallen to the ground. The hypothesis was that the leaves of the greatest size and largest shape, on the box elder tree, would change and fall the fastest, followed by the leaves of the Gambel’s oak, and lastly those of the white willow. I reject this hypothesis and the results will be discussed and analyzed. Keywords: white oak, box elder, white willow, leaves, photosynthesis, color, change The Reaction of Yellow Jackets to Sugars and Meats John M. Jensen, 754N 700E Provo, UT 84606 Email: jhn.m.jnsn@gmail.com Abstract Everyone has been to a barbeque and become somewhat uncomfortable at the presence of our yellow flying friends known as the yellow jacket. Some people are annoyed while others are frightened by their mere presence. If you have ever had this experience at a barbeque you would notice that all the bees, wasps, and yellow jackets seem to be attracted to the same things. They all seem to migrate towards the same kinds of foods. This research is designed to discover what foods yellow jackets are more attracted to between drinks with high sugar content or meat. My original hypothesis was that the yellow jackets would be drawn more to the meats than to the sugars. I was able to watch and study the habits of these insects as they were confronted with the option of drinks with high sugar content versus meat and see what they preferred. Keywords: yellow jacket, vespula, meats, sugar, attraction Attraction of Insects to Human-Manufactured Odors in Nun's Park of Provo Canyon, Provo, Utah, U.S.A. Rebecca A. Jensen, 2104 David John Hall, Provo, UT 84604 Email: jensen.r08@gmail.com Abstract Throughout all of nature odor is a mechanism used many diverse ways. Smell is an attractant for numerous species, and the human species is no exception with one of its uses of attractant odors taking the form of cologne and perfume. But what are humans really attracting with all these odors? Experiments were conducted in the natural area of Nun's Park in Provo Canyon of Provo, Utah with local insect species to show whether or not insects are attracted to perfumes manufactured by humans. Insect species were caught with pit-traps and recorded in an effort to achieve the main objectives of showing if there are correlations between different species and their preference to certain man-made odors, and to see if a certain odor would be ultimately preferred over the others. The odors used were vanilla, freesia, and there was also a control group with no odor. The results of my data showed a higher number of insects were attracted to freesia than vanilla or no odor, but the data is insufficient to accurately confirm these findings, and the results are not statistically significant. Keywords: insect attraction, olfactory preference, floral scent, manufactured odors, pit-traps
Joanna Johnson, 701 North 500 West Apt. 107, Provo, Utah 84601 Email: jojohnson53@gmail.com Abstract There are many different insects that make their home along the banks of the Provo River. But the question remains, does it make a difference if the water has a fast current or a slow current? The purpose of this experience was to see if there are different diversity of insects that live in the banks of the Provo River and if it differs upstream, where the water is not moving, from downstream, where the water is moving faster. I went to the banks of the Provo River in Utah and observed the different species of insects. Two locations were chosen to do my studies. One was located on the river where there is a dam and the water is not moving very much at all. The other is located on the other side of the dam where the water is running over the edge of rocks in a faster motion. There are many different insects that were seen making their homes on the banks of the Provo River. Some of which include Dolichopeza, Perlestia, and Salticidae. The two locations didn’t show much difference in the types species of insects that lived there. I did however; find from my research how much the weather affects the different species. The small change of temperature affected whether or not the insects were seen. It was very interesting to observe these changes. Keywords: diversity, Dolichopeza, perlestia, salticidae, species, temperature, insects, Provo River.
Jordan R. Johnson, Brigham Young University, 1338 N 1220 W Provo, Ut 84604. (JrJ24k@yahoo.com) Abstract In this study, I examined the forming pattern, proximity, and size of the Canyon Maple tree (Acer grandidentatum) population along the Provo River throughout various points of the Provo Canyon. While studying at three different points along the canyon, I measured the distance each tree formed from the edge of the river. After results of the study were produced, it was clear that there was an association between the width and strength of the river and the distance and size of the Acer grandidentatum tree. Key Words: Maple trees, Acer grandidentatum, Provo River, Canyon Glenn, Sundance, Deer Creek.
Brinai Johnston, 1849 North Freedom Boulevard, Apartment #344, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: brinai.ashley@gmail.com Abstract The diet of grasshoppers is herbivorous and wide in variety, though the diet of a specific species of grasshopper most often depends on the natural host plants available in the inhabited region. For this nature experience, grasshoppers were captured and separated and then fed different types of food. The experiments were conducted with local grasshoppers from Y Mountain to determine which choice of food they would prefer and whether or not this preference would lead to greater chances of survival. Keywords: Grasshoppers, Diet, Host Plant, Survival
Kayleen J. Jones, 1565 N. University Ave. Apt. 56, Provo, UT, 84604. Email: kjj_singer@yahoo.com Abstract When we think of chickens, we often think of the many different ways that we can cook them and then eat them. Have you ever really wondered more about chickens? I used to not think or care about them, and when my father announced that he would be getting chicks, I was not exactly thrilled. I instantly thought of them as annoying and noisy. But after thinking about them a little bit more and watching them, I began to be intrigued. They are rather interesting to observe and they have just as interesting behaviors and personalities. Different breeds of chickens are similar in some of their behaviors and fun to see the differences. I observed chickens in Mink Creek, Idaho and found their perching habits rather intriguing. They seemed to always like to be up higher when perching versus being at a lower elevation. A fun change occurred in my observations when four new chickens were added into the eighteen that were already there and familiarized with each other and their surroundings. I enjoyed observing the new group of chickens and how they interacted in relation to the chickens already living there. I observed the chickens at different times of day and found some interesting things. Keywords: Chickens; behaviors; perching; interactions of different groups.
Matt Judkins, 469 N. 100 E. #8, Provo, Utah 84606 Email: mjudkins11@gmail.com Abstract White tulips, like all flowers, absorb water and nutrients through the bottom of their stems. The experiments that will be described in the following paragraphs outline a curious attempt to find out how different nutrients in a liquid might affect the way nutrients and water are distributed from the flower's stem all the way up to the tips of its petals.
Kelsey Killian, 2122 North 120 West Apt # 279 Provo, Ut. 84604, Kelskillian@gmail.com Abstract: Often, when food is dropped on the ground, ants will assemble to that item of food. Why is this, and how to they know how to get to it so quickly? Which type of sugar do ants accumulate to most? Using different samples, ants will begin to gather to these samples. After measuring/counting the amount of ants on each sample, and retesting the experiment a number of times, I will be able to tell which sample ants are most attracted to. For example, if on a picnic, where ants are known to gather around dropped foods, which sugar should you bake with to prevent as many ants from congregating as possible. This experiment will include materials such as sugars, waters, and will be conducted in an outdoor environment. Key Words: Ants; Types of Sugar: Cane, Sweet ‘N Low; Aspartame; Outdoor environment. The Effect of Different Surfaces on the Movement of Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestrialis) near Snow Canyon, Utah, U.S.A. Tanya C. Kinghorn, 1940 N. 138 W. Apt. 160, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: “shelby_mustang@comcast.net” Abstract
Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestrialis) have adapted so that their bodies are well suited to burrow through the soil. Dirt is a habitat that they are very fit for, and their niche relates to the soil. Since they are so well adapted to soil, the purpose of this study was to determine whether earthworms move the more efficiently through the soil than other surfaces. I recorded the distance at which five worms traveled on the soil, grass, and rock. I hypothesized that the worms would move the greatest distance on the soil as opposed to rock or grass. The results did not support my hypothesis, however. The earthworms, on average, moved the farthest on rock, then grass, then soil. The experiment was conducted by the wilderness reserves near Snow Canyon by St. George, Utah. Keywords: Lumbricus terrestrialis, earthworms, movement of worms, surfaces. Analysis of the Communication of Ants and Computer Systems at Provo Canyon: Provo, UT, U.S.A. Joseph A. Kjar, 118 Shipp Hall, Provo, UT 84604 Email: joseph.kjar@gmail.com Abstract The methods of communication between ants is similar in some ways to the communication of machines over a network. Experiments will be conducted to examine the various forms of communication between ants, including their ability to relay information despite disruptions. These observations will then be compared to the communication between computers on a network. Differences and similarities will be analyzed, along with the methods employed to cope with data loss. The Slowing of Photosynthesis and Eventually Decay of Leaves Due to Shortened Day Length Karianne Knowles, 151 W 2170 N #267, Provo, Utah 84604. Email: knkarianne@gmail.com Abstract In this study, I wanted to see the affect of altitude on the rate of photosynthesis and leaf decay. I felt the higher the altitude, the earlier in the season the leaves would fall. I selected five different trees in three different locations in the Provo, Utah area. I recorded the color of leaves, amount fallen, time, and temperature for each of these locations. Through this study, it was impossible for me to draw a clear connection between altitude and the rate the leaves fell at. I was able to discover that as daylight hours decreased due to seasonal change, the process of photosynthesis was slowed. Since there was less food for the plant, chlorophyll drained to the base of the tree, causing the decay of and detachment of the leaf. Keywords: color change, leaves, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, deciduous trees Western Scrub Jays and Mental Time Travel Christopher J Kuchin, Information Systems Major, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: aphill70@gmail.com. Version: Fall 2008. Nature Experience Kuchin Fall 2008.docx Keywords: Mental Time Travel, Western Scrub Jay Abstract Mental time travel is an ability that has long been thought to be the principal domain of Humans. A recent study has revealed that this is likely no longer the case. (Clayton 1). This recent development was initiated when a researched noticed that scrub jays would when caching food if observed would then come back later and move the location of the scraps to be sure it was stolen (Clayton 1). Initial reports and studies were based on direct observation of western scrub jays in their natural habitat around the campus of the University of Cambridge (Clayton 1). Color variations and the fall/death rates of Ulmus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Acer glabrum, and Cornus sericea in Rock Canyon: Provo, Utah, U.S.A. Heidi Kuchin, 1565 N. University Ave. #103, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: ideclaire@hotmail.com Abstract In the fall, all of the lush green trees begin to transform into bright yellow and red expanses. The cause of this change is the levels of chlorophyll and anthocyanins found within the leaves. The color of the leaf affects the time that it remains on the tree. However, it is not just simply the color, but what creates the color. The weather conditions, mainly the light and temperature, are huge factors in the length of time that leaves remain attached to the tree. Further research and experimentation were used to test this idea. Four trees, namely the Ulmus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Acer glabrum, and Cornus sericea were the main focus for the observation. Over a period of a month, the leaf colors, falling/death rate, temperature, and light were observed. Although the weather was a little strange and inconsistent, the over-all trend was that the light and temperature really do play a large part in the senescing process of leaves in the fall. Key Words: Ulmus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Acer glabrum, Cornus sericea, anthocyanins, chlorophyll, and senescence
Raven KuyKendall, 650 North 100 West Apt. 1, Provo, Utah 84601, lost_not_forgotten307@yahoo.com Abstract Algae can grow just about anywhere as long as there is plenty of sunlight and oxygen. For this research project I wondered if rock algae grew better in flowing or standing water. I collected rocks samples from the Provo River in Utah, a flowing source of water and the Brigham Young University Botanical Pond and artificial standing body of water inhabited by many ducks. I hypothesized that the pond would be a better environment for algae growth because of the standing nature of the pond – it wasn’t displacing all the algae with a flow. I also believed that the feces from the ducks that frequent the pond would provide many nitrates another component of good growth. I collected six rocks from each location and measured the total algal growth relevant to each location. I was surprised to find much more algae on the rocks from the Provo River. In fact there was no alga on the rocks I collected from the Duck Pond. After further research I discovered two possible reasons for this eutrophication or the flowing nature of the river. While I outline and discuss both possibilities I make no definitive declaration on which if either it is. Keywords: algae, eutrophication, freshwater microbiology
Jordan K. K. Laimana, 674 East 300 North, Provo, Utah 84606 Email: themallow12@yahoo.com Abstract Mosquito (Culicidae) activity is affected by the temperature changes, but in order to determine which populations are more susceptible to these factors, experiments were conducted at Utah Lake. These experiments involved the local population of Mosquitoes at Utah Lake. Mosquito traps were be set out it several areas specific time of day once a month. Air temperatures were measured while were set traps and the mosquitoes caught in the trap were counted and identified. A graphical representation of the data was made with respect to the temperature and the number of mosquitoes caught. See Figure 2. The results of the experiment was a total of 167 mosquitoes trapped and collected. Of the mosquitoes collected the most prominent species was Culex erythrothorax, it made about 80% of all mosquitoes connected. The temperature was found to have a direct effect on Mosquito population. Mosquito activity disappeared and the only factor that had a significant change was the temperature. Although not all factors were controlled or eliminated, they were minimized to a sufficient degree. To understand how much temperature is related to mosquito activity requires further experimentation.
Karalee Langton, 1912 Gates Hall Provo, Utah 84604. Email: karaleejoan@hotmail.com Abstract There seems to be no effects from low temperatures on evergreen trees, through research why this happens will hopefully be discovered. Observations took place at the Provo Canyon, where two large groups of trees were observed, the two types were evergreen trees and non-evergreen trees. These two types of trees are obviously different but, what causes the evergreen trees two stay green all year round? Items from nine different trees were collected, including either types or groups, these items were then examined carefully and the two different groups were compared to each other, in order to find the differences that allow pines to be green all year long. It was found that there is significant difference between the two types of trees and these differences are most likely that cause of a larger photosynthesis range in the evergreen trees. Keywords: pine or evergreen trees, photosynthesis, bark, soil, and leaves
Kassandra Larson, 229 Tingey Hall, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: random_thoughts14@hotmail.com Abstract Birds are common predators affected by the aposematic traits of their prey; a trait that sends warnings of toxins or poisons which most predators desire to avoid. This experiment tests the intuitive versus learned behavior that birds have toward brightly colored “prey”. Experiments were conducted in the fields of Meridian, Idaho where brightly colored birdseed of various colors is placed in an area where birds have naturally been observed feeding. The seeds were measured carefully each day, after three hours of field study, to observe the birds feeding patterns based on the coloration of the seeds in order to try to explain the degree to which local birds are affected by warning signals and to account for the aposematic warnings of which these species of birds will recognize and react. It was mostly observed that while some predetermined hesitation towards conspicuously colored feed occurred, the birds were quick to recognize false toxicity warnings, and showed great signs of learned predation behaviors in adapting to eating all the birdseeds regardless of color. Keywords: birds, aposematism, learned behaviors vs. innate behaviors, eating habits Leaf Decomposition in a natural stream compared to on land: Provo, Utah, U.S.A Melanie D. Linton, 223 Tingey Hall, Utah 84604 Email: Melanie_linton@swbell.net Abstract: As fall comes around, leaves start to dry up and fall off of the tree, and as they sit where they land, they are there long enough that they begin to decompose. The location of where these leaves fall depends on the location of the tree. There are various things that affect decomposition. I thought that placing the leaf packs in water from a stream in a controlled environment would provide me with optimal decomposition circumstances, but found upon doing the experiment, that leaf packs left alone on the ground outside were subject to a higher rate of decomposition over the given amount of time. The effect of water in leaf packs varies depending on the type of leaf and how long the leaves are in the water. This difference also depends on the components present in the water. Distilled water might have a different effect on the leaves than stream water because there are additional biotic factors present, such as fungi and bacteria. These differences could also change what the rate of decomposition is.
Keywords: Leaf Decomposition, Leaf litter, Stream, bacteria, fungi, quercus macrocarpa, plantanus acerifolia The affects of ambient temperature on cricket stridulation in Utah. M. W. Liu, Brigham Young University, 3108 Stover Hall, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: liu.mason@hotmail.com Abstract
Communication between organisms is ubiquitous. Perhaps the most prevalent form of communication in between the crickets and grasshoppers are their familiar chirping and trilling. Both the cricket and the grasshopper belong to the Order Orthoptera. Crickets have been to known to stridulate at a constant rate and under certain conditions. This research was to assess the validity. I recorded the current time and temperature, the number of audible crickets, the number of chirps observed in sixty seconds, the quality of the recording in respect to hearing the chirping, and the acknowledgement of any presence of external noises that could have a substantial affect on the quality of the recording at the Provo Canyon, Provo, Utah, USA and Little Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton, Utah, USA during the fall season. I recorded the acoustic behavior of crickets using a digital audio recording. Only location 1 in Provo and location 2 in Little Cottonwood Canyon had stridulations. Thus, I compared the two locations with one another. A model was compared to both locations combined to see if either location or the combined results yielded data that was like the model. The data in location 2 in Little Cottonwood Canyon yielded the data that was most ideal. However, when both locations were combined, the trend was similar to the model. There was less deviation from the model at warmer temperatures than at cooler temperatures. Thus, according to the results, crickets more like the ideal constant rate in warmer temperatures than cooler temperatures. Because stridulations only occurred at the warmer locations of 1 and 2, the data suggests that crickets do not chirp at a certain low temperature. I noted an apparent violation of basic assumption of comparing all stridulations as crickets. The species Melanoplus differentialis was found near location 2 suggesting that the Melanoplus differentialis could have cause some of the recorded stridulations. However, it is better if all the audio recordings were for a specific species. Keywords: Orthoptera, crickets, grasshoppers, Melanoplus differentialis, temperature, acoustic behavior, stridulation, audio recording, Provo River, Little Cottonwood Canyon Artificial Light and its Effects on Aquatic Invertebrate Longley Krysta, 1565 University Ave Apt. 159, Provo Utah 84604 Email: krysta.shawntel@gmail.com Abstract The primary purpose of this experiment was to determine whether aquatic invertebrates are attracted to light, and how light attraction relates to aquatic invertebrates foraging and behavioral patterns. The experiment was performed by first constructing two insect traps, one with a light source, and one without a light source as a control. The hypotheses was that insects would be most attracted to the white light, and the least amount of invertebrates would be attracted to the control, or no light. According to the results, the hypothesis is supported. More insects, namely Chironomus plumosus, (non biting midges) and Baetis flavistriga were captured in the insect trap that had a light source. Key words: artificial light, aquatic invertebrate, foraging, behavioral patterns, river.
Megan Looney, 2002 Taylor Hall, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84604. Email: meganlooney@mac.com Abstract: The purpose of this study was to see if turkey vultures had different behavior patterns at different times of the day and in different weather conditions. Specifically, the birds were observed in the morning from the hours of 7-9am and in the evening from 4-6pm. Two hypotheses were that there would be greater numbers of the birds together in the evening hours and there would also be more activity in the evening, for example, more circling and flying around as opposed to roosting in nearby trees. As the results will discuss, it was found that on most occasions the hypotheses were correct. On the majority of the days more turkey vultures were seen in the evenings and of those birds seen in the evenings a greater percentage of them were flying. Key words: behavior patterns, California, roosting
Andrew M. Lords, 546 N 400 E Apt. 2, Provo, Utah 84606 Email: Andrew.Lords@Gmail.com Abstract In this study the curly-cup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) was measured on Y Mountain in Provo, Utah with an hypothesis that the average height of this plant would decrease the furthur up the mountain it grew. When a specimen was found the height and elevation was recorded. The data collected reflects a wide range of measurements taken at many different elevations on the mountain. The growth and spontaneity of occurrence of the curly-cup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) is affected greatly by the soil they grow in. It was assumed that the higher on the mountain, the rockier the soil will be. This study was conducted to show that the higher the elevation on the mountain, the shorter the average height of the curly-cup gumweed will be, due to the increased rockiness of the soil. It was discovered, however, that increased elevation on the mountain doesn't decrease the average height, but it does decrease the total number of specimens growing there. The higher-up the mountain the fewer number of curly-cup gumweeds were growing there, although their height was seemingly unaffected. It was discovered that the rockiness in the soil didn't affect the growth height of the plants, but the extent to which new seeds were planted and new plants started to grow. Keywords: elevation, rocky soil, curly-cup gumweed, mountain, plant height, growth
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