A Field Investigation of Forest and Stream in Los Banos

Paulene Julye Lara Rae Carolyn Nantes Marianne Reyes Jorellie Petalver Charmaine Poblete Chemie Tingson Sec. B-3L

March 13, 2012

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology III Laboratory under Ms. Ivy Amor Lambio,2nd sem., 2011-2012.

Abstract
The different factors affecting a terrestrial and aquatic environment were determined through field investigation on Los Banos, Laguna. A 5x5 area in forest and stream was fenced and isolated. Biotic and abiotic factors found in the said area were studied. The terrestrial region which was a forest in Los Banos, Laguna, 50 m above the sea level has partial shade of sunlight with warm air temperature with slight wind velocity. The humidity is low and the soil moisture was xeric and variety of inhabitant can be found in the said area. On the other hand, the aquatic region which is a 5x5 stream also in the same topography has a low depth with rocky substrate. It has cold fast moving water were diverse organisms are found.

Introduction Methodology
In this activity, the group had conducted ecological investigations on a forest and an aquatic ecosystem at the Horatorium of the University of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna. An appropriate site was selected by the group to investigate on a forest ecosystem. A 3x3 meter quadrant was then made using rope surrounding the boundaries of the quadrant. Then some abiotic factors were then observed and dates were recorded. These abiotic factors include the amount of light (in full sunlight, in partial shade, lighted by sunflecks streaming from the canopy, or in full shade), air temperature, wind velocity (still, slight, or windy), humidity (not humid [air is dry] or slightly humid [moisture on ground], or very humid [area is wet]), soil texture (clayey, sandy or loamy), elevation, topography (flatland or on a slope), and locality. Biotic factors were also observed. Microorganisms, macrofungi, plants, and animals were located in the study area. Other life forms were also seen by lifting some of the rocks, logs, twigs, and leaves but not as to the point of disturbing the area too much. Each organism observed was then classified as to its functional roles in the environment whether they are producers, consumers, or decomposers. The distribution pattern exhibited by the organisms were also determined whether

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology III Laboratory under Ms. Ivy Amor Lambio,2nd sem., 2011-2012.

they are clumped, random, or scattered. Estimation on the height of the plants was also conducted and some distinguishing features were being identified. The horizontal and vertical distributions of the individuals of each species in the site were observed. Then a profile for the different distributions of the different population seen in the site was constructed. For the horizontal distribution, a square was drawn in a paper representing the study site. Individuals of each species were mapped in into the square to reflect their approximate positions in the study site. A legend was used for each of the population. Then for vertical distribution, a graph was constructed. Using the data gathered on the heights of the population, ranges of heights of the different species in the site was made and is indicated on the y-axis of the graph. Then the positions of the individuals of the different species were plotted on the x-axis. A legend was also used for each species. The actual heights of the species are indicated in the graph. After the observations made, the group moved to another site of a different ecosystem which is the aquatic ecosystem. An appropriate site of 5x5 meter was selected. Some of the abiotic factors of the environment were observed by the group. These abiotic factors include the length of the stream, depth of the stream, type of the substrate present (rocky, sandy, or muddy), water temperature, water current, and turbidity clear or turbid). After observing the abiotic factors the biotic factors of the environment was observed next. Plants and animal life at the edge of the stream, floating on the water, moving under water, and those attached to the substrate were identified. The same characteristics on the forest environment were observed in the aquatic environment (distribution pattern, length/height, number, and distinguishing features). Then the organisms were classified according to their functional roles in the environment. The depth and the length of the stream were drawn in a paper, also the vertical and the horizontal distribution of the aquatic organisms in the environment was drawn.

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology III Laboratory under Ms. Ivy Amor Lambio,2nd sem., 2011-2012.

Results and Discussion

A. Terrestrial Ecosystem Table 9.1 Physical characteristics of forest ecosystem PARAMETERS 1st OBSERVATION 2nd OBSERVATION 3rd OBSERVATION Amount of light in partial shade lighted by sunflecks in partial shade Air temperature warm warm warm Wind velocity slight slight slight Humidity not humid not humid not humid Soil moisture xeric xeric xeric Soil texture _______loam_________ Elevation____ 50m above sea level___ Topography _____on a slope_______ Locality __ UPLB, Los Baos, Laguna__ Table 9.2 Biotic components of forest ecosystem Kind & Species name Distribution Length/height Number Distinguishing identity of pattern features organisms Producers - kaong - random 8.0-10.0m 3 - scale-like covering - rough texture - ficus - random 4.0-6.0m 2 - stems have solid - bamboo - random 7.0-9.0m 5-8 core rather than a hollow one - algae - clumped 0.5-1.0m many - green in color - fern - random 1.0-3.0m many - spores are placed underneath Consumers - birds - random many - ants - random many - fly - random 1 - termites - random many - spider - random 3 - lizard - random 1 preying - random 1 - black-ringed spot mantis beneath its fore coxae - random 2 head with - snail tentacles; mouth with tiny teeth Decomposers - fungi - clumped 1.5-2.0m many - white in color - lichens - random 1.5-2.0m many - fungus found on trees

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology III Laboratory under Ms. Ivy Amor Lambio,2nd sem., 2011-2012.

B. Aquatic Ecosystem Table 9.3 Physical characteristics of a stream PARAMETERS a. width of stream b. depth of stream c. type of substrate

SITE 5x5m below the knee level rocky

First Reading d. water temperature cold e. water current fast Turbidity _____clear_____________________________________________________ Table 9.4 Biotic components of a stream ecosystem. Kind & Species name Distribution Length/height Number Distinguishing identity of pattern features organisms Producers - algae - clumped 0.5-1.0m many - green in color - fern - random 1.0-3.0m many - spores are placed underneath

Consumers

- snail - dragonfly - birds - ants - tadpoles

- random - random - random - random - clumped - clumped - random 1.5-2.0m 1.5-2.0m

1 2 5-6 many many many many

-head with tentacles; mouth with tiny teeth

jelly-like; transparent - white in color - fungus found on trees

Decomposers

- fungi - lichens

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology III Laboratory under Ms. Ivy Amor Lambio,2nd sem., 2011-2012.

Summary and Conclusion

Literature Cited

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology III Laboratory under Ms. Ivy Amor Lambio,2nd sem., 2011-2012.