To finish off the Naturalist Perspectives portion of our course, see if you can discuss at least 5 of the topics we’ve covered this semester in terms of what you’ve encountered during the time you’ve spent outdoors. 1. Sensitivity (Property of Life) : Plants grow towards the sun/ source of nutrients they have access to
2. Growth, Development and Reproduction (Property of Life) as presented in pollinating plants
3. Surface Tension in Water (Properties of Water)
4. Osmosis (Present in Plants)
5. Low Density of Ice (Property of Water)
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I revisited Site Alpha on November 2, 2016 at around 6:00 pm, to see how the plant life is doing as the weather gets colder. It was around 55 degrees Fahrenheit out. I noticed the majority of the leaves from the trees above had fallen to the ground below as well as the majority of the plants appear to be wilting/ their leaves have fallen off as well.
Based upon the changes in environment I have thus noted, and the general appearance of the area and presence of trees and plant life, it is safe to assume that there is a large plant cell presence in the area. As noted in the NPR story, "Why Leaves Really Fall Off Trees," abscission cells are very prominent during the fall in the northern hemisphere. These cells are the cells found in plants that result in the falling of the leaves. In leaf-dropping trees, at the time of fall, a hormone that triggers the dropping of the leaves is released to all the leaves. Once received the abscission cells are released, and they are designed to make a cut, thus releasing the leaves from the branches. Within a few days-weeks the leaves develop a thin line of bumpy cells that eventually pushes the leaves off the branch, thus allowing the tree to develop new leaves when the weather permits. There was also evidence for the response of cells in my body in relation to the environment around me. I felt remarkably calm while sitting and observing the nature around me. It is a common belief that the high presence of fresh air that people have access to when in nature can be very calming versus the lack there-of when indoors. In a Japan Times article on Forest Therapy, the effect on nature on people is discussed. According to Li Qing, a senior assistant professor of forest medicine at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, based upon a study that involved people walking and spending time in the nature and a forest, people's immune system showed a higher presence of "NK" cells. NK cells are natural killer cells are they assist the immune system protect itself/defend itself against cancer. Li said the increase in NK activity can be attributed partly to inhaling air containing phytoncide, or essential wood oils given off by plants. Observational transects were performed at all three sites involved in this blog, and the findings can be compared below. Time transects were conducted: 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm Date transects were conducted: Sunday October 23, 2016 Temperature when transects were conducted: 58 Degrees Fahrenheit Site AlphaPoint One: Point one on the transect is all dead/fallen leaves. They are different colors and textures. Presumably their color and texture is based upon the amount of time they have been off the tree- the more brown and dried out they are the longer they have been dead. Point Two: Point two on the transect is the same as point one in terms of the dead/fallen leaves. The only difference is the presence of a green leaf from a plant slightly above the point. The leaf is primarily dark green with light green edges, eluding to the idea that the leaf is drying out. Point Three: Point three along the transect contains the same dead/fallen leaves, but also has a green leafy plant as well. There are not many leaves on the plant, and there certainly were more during the previous visits, but they are green and are living. Point Four: Point four along the transect is the same as the other three sites in terms of the dead/fallen leaves on the ground, and also contains a leafy green plant similar to site three. The large leaf shown in the site image is falling apart though, meaning the plant is probably dying. Comparisons to previous transects of Site Alpha:
Site BetaPoint One: Point one in the transect consists of mulch, fallen leaves of different colors (signifying different lengths of time they have been off the tree), twigs (from the tree above) and a large green plant. The green plant consists of branches with thorns on them that are rather sharp to the touch. Point Two: Point two in the transect consists of the same mulch, fallen leaves, plant and sticks that point one did, but point two also contains another plant. The plant on the left of the plant described in point one, is a slightly lighter green and the leaves seem more delicate, leading me to believe that the plant is dying. Point Three: Point three of the transect contains a large fallen branch from the bush above. The branch contains multiple dried up leaves that begin to crumble when touched. Point Four: Point four on the transect is fairly similar to those before it, it contains mulch, fallen leaves and a green plant. The green plant is fairly small and close to the ground. There are not many leaves and they do not have much structure to them because they are drooping. Site GammaPoint One: Point one in the transect has a significant amount of direct sunlight. There is also a lively green plant/small bush, which is probably the result of the direct sunlight. There are some fallen leaves in the area, but they are more colorful than the brown leaves found at other points. Point Two: Point two in the transect contains similar direct sunlight, mulch and fallen leaves. There is another green plant/small bush as well, and this bush in particular not only contains green leaves it contains reddish leaves as well. Point Three: Point three on the transect is fairly empty compared to the previous points. There is the same mulch on the ground, but there are no green plants, and only a minimal amount of fallen leaves. Point Four: Point four is very similar to point three in its barren nature. There are not many fallen leaves, but there is a green plant very close to the point on the transect. Comparing of All Three
Site Gamma: Within walking distance from Site Alpha and Beta. Located in the same yard as previous sites. Location: About ten feet away from Site Alpha, in Porter Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts Time: 5:00 PM Temperature: 68 Degrees Fahrenheit Observations:
Macromolecules PresentMacromolecule- A molecule composed of many atoms
The macromolecule that appeared to be most present in Site Gamma would be Cellulose. Cellulose is a carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plants (which are prominent in Site Gamma). This structural polysaccharide provides structure in the cells. It contains glucose sub-units that are joined in a way that cannot be broken down readily. While walking from Porter Square Train Station to my dorm, I came across what I later discovered to be a Japanese Barberry shrub. Japanese Barberry: Berberis thunbergiiThorny dome shaped shrub •Single thorn at each flush of leaves •Flowers held in a small upside down umbel •Fruits a red drupe •Leaves spatulate and entire
Site Beta: Secondary location, within walking distance from Site AlphaI observed Site Beta on October 10, 2016 at 5 pm, it was around 56 degrees outside, and it was slightly cloudy out. Site Beta is around 100 feet from Site Alpha, and both are in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I spent around ten minutes observing my surroundings. Sight: There are a number of plants growing in Site Beta. The majority of the ground was covered in fallen leaves and mulch. A few pink flowers have blossomed in the bushes, and a number of weeds are covering the bushes. The two distinct bushes in the site have different colored leaves, which are primarily different shades of green. Touch: The leaves on the ground are dried out and crunchy to touch. The bushes have multiple thorns on them, which are fairly sharp. Smell: The primary scent at Site Beta is the smell of fresh air mixed with the scent of drier fumes from the surrounding houses. Hear: I could hear the sounds of cars driving by the site as well as people talking in the distance. Taste: No nature was eaten in the making of this blog Emma Marris- Ted Radio Hour ConnectionsEmma Marris is an environmental writer who discusses the importance of "rethinking nature." People are too focused on the ideals of what nature is supposed to be, resulting in the disregard of the little things in nature. After listening to the interview with Emma Marris I was able to pick Site Beta. Site Beta is a small garden between a driveway and the walk way leading to a front door. Most would disregard it and would pass by without thinking twice. Despite the small region in the front lawn that Site Beta takes up, and the fact that it is surrounded by pavement, it is still nature, and life still exists in it.
I traveled to Four Town Farm in Seekonk, Massachusetts to conduct this transect. It was about 2 PM and it was 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a family owned farm that opens mid April and closes December 23. At the vegetable stand I came across the potatoes that they had grown.
Site Aquadic- A secondary location (to Site Alpha) with a body of water that is being used for this transectSite aquatic is a park in Harvard Square along the Charles River. The whole area contains benches, grass, bushes around the water's edge, and the river. The specific area this transect will reference is shown in the above picture on the left. It is a very short path that leads to the river, presumably for entrance to the river for kayaks and such. Conditions: I conducted the transect on Monday October 3, 2016 at 3:00 Pm. It was 64 degrees out with winds at 9 miles per hour, when I got closer to the water, the air felt a little bit colder. This is due to the fact that water has a higher specific heat, resulting in the water being less likely to change temperature quickly. The air around the water interacts with the evaporation from the river and changes the temperature of the air around it. Water: Before starting the transect, I tested the pH of the water. I used three pH strips just to be sure, and they all resulted in the same color (when a pH strip is exposed to a liquid, the pH can be determined based upon the color the strips dry). pH is listed below. Sight- I can see buildings across the river, as well as people biking and running across the bridge. There are a large number of people out today, possibly has to do with the nice weather. There is someone kayaking on the river a ways down. Touch- The water doesn't feel particularly cold, that being said it isn't warm. It is probably around 60 degrees. The bench I am sitting on is made out of wood, and covered in slowly chipping paint, that is sharp if approached at a certain angle. The sun has made the paint start to melt slightly, while the wind is hardening it simultaneously, creating a sticky substance coating on the bench. Smell- The smell of fresh air is rather prominent. It smells different each season, and the fall smell is setting in. Hear- I can hear the wind shaking the trees as well as the water rippling and hitting the sides of the bushes along it. The large amount of construction occurring behind me is also creating rather prominent sounds. Taste- No nature has been consumed in the making of this transect TransectI divided a 10 ft. long string into three sections, resulting in four marked points along the string (points 1-4 listed below). Each of those points were then individually observed and the findings/inferences are listed below. Point one is on the edge of the water, and point four is closer to the end of the path, farther away from the water. pH PaperThe pH strips dried resulting in a yellow color. Meaning the water in the Charles River is very close to Pure Water (6-7). Having a possible pH of 7, the river water would have the same amount of Hydrogen Ions as Pure Water. If the pH was a 6, it would have 10,000 times more Hydrogen Ions than Pure Water. Based upon the pH stips' final color, the amount of hydrogen ions are between the normal value and the normal value X 10,000. Point OnePoint one is the closest point along the transect there is to the water. The ground is made up of very wet and cold sand. The sand is covered in rocks, twigs and small leaves. In regards to the different points along the transect, this is the coldest temperature wise. There was a medium amount of sunlight, not only direct, but reflecting off of the water as well. Point TwoPoint two is further from the water and located on top of a tree root. The sand seems to be mixed with dirt and was also quite damp. The majority of the ground at this point was covered with fallen leaves from the tree above it, they also all seemed to be shriveled up (curled inwards). Point ThreePoint Three is fairly similar to point two, in that it is over a tree root and surrounded by numerous fallen leaves. There are also a large amount of rocks in the area as well as a large plant behind it that has small flowers growing on it. Point FourPoint four on the transect is almost past the path leading down to the river. The air feels slightly warmer than down by the river at point one (but not significantly). There are also numerous fallen leaves and rocks. At this point there is also a lot of small weeds growing.
Site Alpha- the specific site in nature that was and will continue to be utilized for this blog My return to Site Alpha was under slightly different circumstances than my first visit- this time it was not raining, it was actually rather dry out. Just to recap: Site Alpha is a small-medium patch of land that naturally occurs between two homes in Porter Square. It is made up of mulch, dirt, weeds, roots, small-large plants, and trees with falling leaves. For my first transect I spent 10 mindful minutes observing the site, and this visit the same was done, with hopes of noticing any changes in the area. (Sight) I could see the components listed above. The small presumed animal tracks still remained, in different places this time. The leaves on the trees were green and smooth, while the leaves on the ground were yellow/brown, rough and crunchy- This remained the same, but the number of trees on the ground was comparatively much higher than last time. (Touch) The leaves on the trees (green ones) were smooth, similar to before, but this time- due to the lack of rain, their temperature was fairly base line. The yellow/ brown leaves on the ground were rough, and cracked when I moved them (feeling quite crunchy). The mulch and dirt on the ground felt smooth and rough based upon what component of it I was touching (the wood chips, or the dirt). Overall things are quite similar, just without the rain component. (Smell) Site Alpha did not have an overwhelming collection of smells. During transect 1 the rain had elevated the scents of the nature around me, without the rain there weren't a significant number of smells occurring. I could however smell the dryer fumes from the load of laundry being done. (Hear) While observing I could hear the cars passing, horns beeping, people talking and the vital questions from my lab assistant: "Harper, why do you have to do this now, why can't you just do it never?" (Taste) No nature was eaten in the making of this blog- that did remain the same The TransectPoint OneFor the last Transect, point one involved a fair amount of grass and fallen leaves, for this transect the grass is not evident. It is no longer present (aside from a few strands), and the fallen leaves have remained. The small green clover like weeds have drastically decreased in numbers. At this point there is one bunch primarily visible, and the leaves on the clover look as if they are wilting. The sunlight remains. Characteristic shared by all living systems found at this point: At this point Energy utilization. Photosynthesis is definitely occurring in this photo, because the leaves on the clover-like plant are green. Photosynthesis gives the leaves their pigment, and is the process in which green plants and some other organisms take in sunlight to create their food from the carbon dioxide and water they take in. Point TwoPoint two had the same amount of direct sunlight as my last visit, but much less lively plant growth than it did before (which already was not a lot). There is a lot of brown grass intertwined with the green grass. There are also a significant amount of fallen leaves (greater than last time by far). Characteristic shared by all living systems found at this point: at this point response to stimuli is quite evident. The air is getting colder and the leaves are beginning to fall as well as the grass beginning to wilt and die. The plants cannot sustain life in cold weather so they lose their color and die. Things cannot die if they were never alive. Point Three
Point FourPoint four (end of transect) had a high amount of twigs from the tree above (remained the same). Slightly behind the transect there was also a wilting plant. The large leaf on the plant was losing it's color and shriveling on one half of it. There were clover-like weeds present as well.
Evidence of Life: Site Alpha -The nature that was utilizedWhile working I came across the site that has been denoted "Site Alpha." Site Alpha is a small-medium patch of land that occurs between two homes in Porter Square. It is made up of mulch, dirt, weeds, roots, small and large plants, and trees with falling leaves. I spent 10 mindful minutes observing the site. (Sight) I could see the components listed above, as well was water droplets on the majority of the plants/leaves. I also observed small marks in the ground that may have been animal tracks (deductive reasoning). This would be an example of deductive reasoning because I went off the basis that animals cross that region often as well as live there (general), therefore the small prints may be animal tracks (specific). Deductive reasoning involves the specific inferences made when using general information as background knowledge. The leaves on the trees were green and smooth, while the leaves on the ground were yellow/brown, rough and crunchy. (Touch) The leaves on the trees (green ones) were smooth, and cool temperature wise. The yellow/ brown leaves on the ground were rough, and cracked when I moved them (feeling quite crunchy). The leaves on the ground are most likely dead because of their position and feeling (inductive reasoning). Inductive reasoning involves general inferences made based upon specific information. The specific information would be the appearance, placement and texture of the leaves. While the general inference would be the leaves on the ground are dead. The mulch and dirt on the ground felt smooth and rough based upon what component of it I was touching (the wood chips, or the dirt). On top of everything previously listed, everything was rather damp due to the presence of rain. It had been raining fairly heavily all day, and was currently raining at that moment. I could also feel the rain on my skin as it fell. (Smell) Site Alpha did not have an overwhelming collection of smells. The rain had a certain smell as it always does. I could also smell a slight oak aroma- presumably from the wet mulch (Deductive reasoning). Deductive reasoning is using general information to explain specific results. It was raining and things were damp (general), the smell of the wood my be coming from the damp mulch because the rain is making the smell stronger (specific). (Hear) While observing I could hear the rain falling and hitting different surfaces. Cars passed by in the distance and sped through puddles creating a rushed splash. "Harper why are we still outside- I want my snack!" repeated in the background from my 6 year old lab assistant. (Taste) No nature was eaten in the making of this blog TransectI divided a 10 ft. long string into three sections, resulting in four marked points along the string (points 1-4 listed below). Each of those points were then individually observed and the findings/inferences are listed below. Point OnePoint one of the transect involved a fair amount of grass as well as fallen leaves. Small, green, clover like weeds were growing from the ground all around point one. There was a fair amount of direct sunlight for this section of the transect, possibly resulting in the growth of the grass and clovers. The correlation of the sunlight and the growth is an example of deductive reasoning (general to specific). Point TwoPoint two had less direct sunlight as well as less grass and plant growth. The majority of point two on the transect were leaves that had fallen from the tree above. There were four large (compared to the small) leaves around the transect, two on each side. There was also one small leaf that appeared to be shriveled up. Possibly because it had been dead longer than the rest, and more of the oxygen in it had left, resulting in the shriveling. This would be an example of inductive reasoning (specific to general). In this case the specific piece of information would be the state of the leaf and the general inference would be that the leaf had been dead longer than the rest. Point ThreePoint three was similar to point two, except there was a slightly higher amount of direct sunlight. There were also more clover-like weeds growing in the section. A small shriveled leaf was also present in this region. Point FourPoint four (end of transect) had a high amount of twigs from the tree above. Slightly behind the transect there was also a wilting plant. The large leaf on the plant was losing it's color and shriveling on one half of it. There were clover-like weeds present as well.
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