How altitude and latitude affect configuration of biomes in Southern Arizona and Central Oregon

Abstract

Keywords: insect activity, behavior of insects, sleep

Ani Van Buskirk, 1340 N Freedom Blvd Apt 339, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: anivanbuskirk@gmail.com

Abstract

      Studies have shown that the overall growth of plant life in a forest is directly related to an effective environment in which all plants are able to grow and survive without the interference of other species. However, no studies have quantified the relationship between the amount invasive species such as that of English Ivy (Hedera helix) in two distinct areas where there are two different landscaping. For this reason, I conducted an experiment to determine the extent of the relationship between the amount of English Ivy to native trees in one area of the Kaiser Wood forest in Portland, Oregon to the amount of English Ivy to native trees in another area of the Kaiser Wood forest. The purpose of this observational experiment was to test the causes of English Ivy in certain regions of the forest. Multiple observations were taken from individual trees found on the border of the forest closest to the urban area (houses) in Washington County, Oregon. Another set of observations was made on the border closest to the opposite outer edge of the Kaiser Wood forest, which bordered farmland. The appearance of English Ivy on the trunks of the trees was observed and the quality and quantity of trees in that area were noted.  

Keywords: Hedera helix, English ivy, Portland, Oregon, invasive species, exotic, native species

Elevation Impact on Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia Echinocarpa) in Lee Canyon near Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

Jacob Waite, 93 Rogers Hall, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: Jakew8t@aol.com

ABSTRACT

      Will the impact of elevation affect the growth of a species? In the Mojave Desert there is a cactus that is called the Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia Echinocarpa) that is hypothesized to be taller in lower elevations compared to a higher elevation. By measuring in a couple of different spots and at different elevations we can gather information on the hypothesis and see if it is correct. It turned out that the hypothesis was not correct in that the lower the elevation it did not get taller but on average the lower section compared to the higher section was taller than the higher elevation levels. The experiment showed that not all of the factors can be contributed to the elevation by itself.

Key words: elevation, experiment, Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia Echinocarpa), growth

Adaption of Trifolia to temperature and seasonal changes in River Parkway: Provo, Utah, U.S.A.

Kirsten N. Wallace, 156 W 2060 N #219 Provo, UT 84604, email: kirstennoelle@gmail.com

Abstract:

      All plant life is affected by seasonal changes from changes in the increase or decrease of temperature, or the lack of sunlight. The Trifolia which grows in environments with abundant shade and moisture will be observed as the seasons change from September 30, 2008- October 30, 2008. On a weekly basis there will be temperature readings and pictures taken as documentation in order to observe the affects of the changing seasons. The hypothesis for this experiment is that the Trifolia that has the most coverage from foliage will adapt to the changing seasons more effectively then the other two locations. 

Key Words: Trifolia, moisture, sunlight, temperature, picture

The Effect of Seasons on the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): Provo, Utah, U.S.A.

Heidi C. Walton, 448 E 600 N Apt. 33, Provo, Utah  84606 Email: heidicw@gmail.com 

      As summer officially ends and the seasons change, leaves on trees begin to change colors and slowly start to detach and fall away.  Trees go through cycles and change throughout each year of their lives.  Do all trees of the same class go through these seasonal cycles at the same time?  Do the same things happen to each tree of the same class?  Further research was conducted to answer these and other similar questions.  Experiments were conducted throughout the city of Provo using three different trees of the same class.  These three trees were researched and observed to answer the above questions.  Hypotheses were made about whether or not the same tree goes through the same changes at the same specific time.  Observations were made every third day for two months.  Results showed that not every tree of the same class loses their leaves and changes exactly at the same time.  Results also showed that the unusual warm weather of this particular winter had an effect on the trees and their leaves.  Also, it was determined that some leaves do not turn the beautiful shades of yellow, orange or perhaps red.  Sometimes leaves skip this step and turn from green to brown before detaching from the trees.

Mark N. Weaver, 160 F. Smith Hall, Provo, Utah 84606 Email: urulokigothmog@gmail.com

      Land slugs are commonly thought of as pests, and are generally disliked by gardeners.  In order to effectively control the damage done by common slugs we must understand their eating habits.  I constructed three slug traps, each with a different amount of salt in solution.  The preference shown by the slugs would help to understand whether or not the slugs could smell the salt in solution.  In two weeks, my traps caught a total of four slugs and two snails, the majority of which were in the trap with the highest salt content.  My results seemed to imply that slugs either prefer food with a higher salt content than fermenting apple juice naturally has, or cannot smell salt in solution.  More experimentation would need to be done to learn whether or not my results actually represent normal behavior for most slugs, and what exactly it means if they do.

Brooke Weber, Undergraduate, Brigham Young University, 760 E. 820 N. Apt# 202 Provo Utah 84606, Email: lilwebs@msn.com 

      This experience was a comparison study between a tree that was completely wild grown in Rock Canyon, Provo and one that was grown on Brigham Young University campus.  An identical species of oak tree was located in both locations, and then the rate of leaf coloration or senescence was recorded through a series of weekly photographs.  The species used in this study, the gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), is to represent the general behavior of other Utah deciduous trees with color-changing leaves in comparison of wild versus cultivated trees.  The main objective of this study was to see the human effect on a temperate tree’s autumn colors.  Both the rate of the leaf coloration as well as the intensity or brightness in its progression was followed.  Factors such as the health of the tree and chlorophyll levels will be used in hypothesis.  Results prove that the wild gambel oak started leaf senescence earlier and ended later.  The BYU campus gambel oak moved through the color scale more rapidly with duller colors.   

Jeffrey H. Weed, Undergraduate Brigham Young University, 1130 E 450 N Apt 3, Provo, UT 84606.  weedjeff@hotmail.com

      The Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is very common among the insects studied by biologists.  It has provided many different experiments throughout the years that have provided much information on insects.  This study focuses primarily on the effects of weather on the movement and activity level of Drosophila melanogaster in Provo, Utah at the base of Rock Canyon.  Bananas were placed out in the open in order to attract the fruit flies so that they could be counted.  This was done for one week in the month of October while the temperatures were higher and then repeated later in the month of November while the temperature were lower.  It was found that there were nearly seven times the amount of Drosophila melanogaster found present around the bananas in the month of October than there were in November.  During an unexpected increase in the weather in late November the flies returned from there period of idleness.  This helped in truly seeing that it was most likely due to the weather that these insects had become more docile.  It was conclusive that cold weather does effect the mobility and activity level of Drosophila melanogaster.    

Natalie J. Williams, Undergraduate, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604.  Email: nataliejoy03@hotmail.com 

      Birds have a specific image in mind when they are searching for food.  Birds have preferences in food size, type, and other characteristics.  After learning about birds preferences I wanted to see if birds had a preference in the color of their food.  I went to Rock Canyon to observe the Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis).  I wanted to see if these birds have a color preference between red, green, and blue seeds.  I set up piles of these three seed colors in various locations to the park and collected data for three weeks.  Although the data wasn’t significant, the results showed the birds ate the green seeds first, then the red seeds, and then the blue seeds.  This implies the birds do have a color preference when they look for food. 

Keywords: color preference, junco hyemalis

Height of B. glandulosa (bog birch) in Relation to Elevation on Y Mountain: Provo, Utah, U.S.A. 

Shannon M. Williams, 120 Robison Hall, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84604

Email: crazyperfect228@yahoo.com 

      There are plenty of factors that can have an effect on plants, including elevation, temperature change and general location. Although studies have determined how all of these factors have an impact on certain plants, it is yet to be resolved how plants typically found on Y Mountain, Provo, Utah, U.S.A. are impacted by these same factors and how the results relate to the research that has already been done. Observations will take place to show how the height and the condition of each B. glandulosa (more commonly known as the bog birch) studied is changed by the factors mentioned. Results will be determined by recording the height of each plant, determining the temperature of the surrounding soil of each plant and monitoring the conditions and precise location and elevation of each area of study. 

Keywords: B. glandulosa, elevation, plant height, plant growth, abundance, temperature.

Winter survival of flowering weeds: An observation of flowering weeds and their ability to survive though cold temperatures in Provo Canyon, Utah.

Breanne R. Wilson, 547 N 300 E, Provo, UT 84606 (email: brebre33@hotmail.com) 

      I am interested in studying different flowering weeds and observing their ability to survive through the cold temperatures in Provo Canyon Utah.  I’m interested in discovering which types of flowering weeds will survive and which ones won’t.  Also, if they do survive, what makes them able to do so?  My hypothesis is that most won’t survive cold temperatures for very long.  And that none of them will be able to survive the snowfall.  My hypothesis was correct but it wasn’t very specific on the types of weeds.  I found four types of weeds each of the asteraceae family, two of which died right away.   One was still partially alive, the sagebrush, and another that has not died yet, the Yarrow weed.  These two are perennial weeds, which allowed them to withstand the cold weather better than the other annual weeds.  

Keywords:  weeds, plants, survival, winter, cold, temperature, weather

The Influence of Elevation and Temperature on the Color Changing Schemes of Maple Trees’ and when they will Fall 

Julie L. Wilson, 982 N 900 E #38 Provo, UT 84604 (e-mail: housel_17@hotmail.com) 

      For this experiment, I was intrigued in finding out whether the location and temperature of a tree effected the changes in its leaves. I was particularly interested in how the tree’s leaves changed color, what colors they changed to, and when the leaves fell off from its branches. It was hypothesized that the trees which were located at a higher altitude in the canyon would experience a quicker change in color, a more intense color, as well as having their leaves fall off first. It was important to draw a connection between the influence of elevation and temperature on the color changing schemes of maple trees’ and when they fell because of the abundance of trees in the world and to see how they effected nature and everyday life. During the cold fall weather, the green chlorophyll disappeared from the leaves and the yellow and orange began to show through. Data was collected by observations in the Provo Canyon. The data indicated that colder temperatures and higher elevation caused the change of color to occur faster and be more intense then those at lower elevations.

Daniel R. Winegar, Undergraduate, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 84604. 

Email: wine.gardan@gmail.com.  Phone: 801 557 6396. 

Nature Experience, Fall 2008, Biology 100, Section [#]. Document: Winegar DR NE 2008.doc. 

      PHI based proportions (1/1.6180) and the Fibonacci sequence have been found in many plant species in nature.  Specimens of the Hoary Cress (Lepidium Draba) in the rosette stage are examined to determine if these systems are present in the shape and quantity of leaves present in the weed.  Proportions of the leaf widths and lengths are measured and compared to determine the accuracy of PHI based proportions on the plant.  Numbers of leaves are recorded to determine if the quantity of leaves follows the Fibonacci sequence.  The average measurements recorded are within a reasonable deviation of PHI proportions and the number of leaves follows the Fibonacci sequence, therefore it is concluded that the Hoary Cress is proportional according to the two systems. 

Keywords: Hoary Cress, Lepidium Draba, weeds, PHI, golden ratio, Fibonacci sequence.

Effect of Temperature and the Speed and Angle an Approaching Object has on the Defense Awareness of the Migratory Grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) in Rock Canyon, Provo, UT

Benjamin. L Woahn, 329 North 1220 West, Provo, Utah 84601.  Email:  woahnb@gmail.com. 

Abstract:

            The purpose of this study was to test the effect of temperature and the speed, as well as the angle an approaching object has on the defense awareness of the Migratory Grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes).  The migratory grasshopper was selected because it was the most abundant up Rock Canyon, where the studies were done.  Any decrease in temperature past 14.4° C proved to dramatically decrease the grasshopper's awareness.  Approaching a grasshopper from the posterior as well as the quicker an object approached also increased the grasshopper's defense responses to relocate to safer ground. 

Keywords:  Melanoplus sanguinipes, Migratory Grasshoppers, sensory reception, movement detections, movement detectors, response properties, defense reactions, sensory organs

Kara Wotherspoon, Undergraduate, Brigham Young University, 1724 North 450 West        Apt. #107 Provo Utah 84604, Email: Karadactle@hotmail.com

         The main purpose of this study was to see if the holes eaten out of maple (Acer) tree leaves by insects caused the leaf fall in autumn. My hypothesis was that the insects did effect the leaf fall and longevity of the leaves, not the season. I used two pizza boxes placed under two trees and recorded data, the number of leaves with certain number of holes, over several weeks from the leaves that fell into those boxes. The data suggest that insect bitten holes are prominent in leaves that fell. Through biological research I concluded that there is no definite way to know that the fallen leaves are from the bug holes and not from the effects of air concentrations, latitude positioning, or other plants. Further research and information is needed to give a clear conclusion about the reason for leaf fall from the maple (Acer) tree.

Brennan M. Wright, 2204 Budge Hall, Provo, Utah 84604 Email: bmw8811@gmail.com

      Mountains are full of diversity, but how much diversity? Different factors that play a role in plants survival like temperature and precipitation change as you ascend a mountain and I was curious as to whether these changes had an impact on the plant diversity when compared to different elevations. A previous study concluded that plants “[become] more overdispersed with increasing elevation” (Bryant, 2008). This statement, however, is very general and may not necessarily apply to every area. The area I had in interest was Provo Canyon. In order to measure diversity of an area I used the method established by Henry S. Horn. I used a “Horn plot” at elevations of 2305 meters, 1855 meters, and 1560 meters and plotted the plant species diversity of each elevation against area. As I increased in elevation there were more plant species, yet the species were less dense individually; at the lower elevations there were less species, yet these species were much denser in individual divisions. Since this data comes from a Horn plot, it can help measure the impact we as humans could have on different areas. Since the ‘Diversity of Species with a change in altitude’ curves for each elevation are similar it is concluded that there is not much difference in the amount of area necessary to protect a certain percentage of plant species at different elevations (see figure 2). However, at higher elevations more plant species are at risk and if possible it is always better to be safe and obey “The Rule of the Tinkerer” and preserve and protect every species that we can.

Stephanie K. Wright, 2121 David John Hall, Provo, UT 84604 Email:  skaye.wright@byu.net

Birds are becoming fascinating to an increasing number of people across America.  Thus, bird watching has erupted as a popular hobby, and drawing birds to the backyard with bird feeders and houses has become a common pastime.  Birds are becoming increasingly threatened by lack of food sources in their natural habitats, forcing competition and stress. These hinder survival and reproduction.  Experiments were performed in Y Mountain with four different colored stimuli to identify the color most attractive to birds, and thus the most effective way of gaining the birds to the backyard to eat and survive.  During a two week period, daily weights of food consumed for each color were measured and the average taken.  The data revealed that the hypothesis was correct: green was in fact the most attractive color to birds.  Further analysis highlighted how similar the results were to each other. 

Key words:  survival, colored stimuli, attractive

Water temperature and tide effect on seaweed (Macrocystis Pyrifera) survival in Torrance, California, U.S.A. 

Devon Zimmerman, 229 Tingey Hall, Provo, Utah 84604  Email: summer_storm@sbcglobal.net 

      Seaweed, specifically Macrocystis pyrifera, is commonly found along the beaches of Southern California, but it has never been discerned whether certain conditions cause greater amounts of kelp to be washed up onshore, such as temperature, wind speed, salinity, and wave velocity or height. While many factors may affect this process, two of the conditions were tested to see their affect on kelp survival. The experiments were performed in a small area on Torrance Beach where the data was recorded. The stipes of seaweed were identified and counted for the period of one week during which the water temperature was also measured and the wave height documented. The data indicates that days with higher water temperature and taller waves protract the highest amount of Macrocystis pyrifera.