Observation #8

Site-Backyard

Date-May 29, 2008

Time- 6:21 P.M.

Temp-51 degrees

Weather Conditions-partly cloudy

Wind Conditions-slightly Breezy

Soil Conditions-very moist

Hypothesis-start to heat up and become less wet

Notes-At the moment it is raining off and on. Maybe continue to rain later tonight. This will benefit the vegitation of the area which will provide more foods sources to local organisms and potentially bring other or different organisms to this area. I have noticed that the male frogs are brownish green and are slightly larger. I have also noticed that the female frogs are smaller and blend into there habitat better than the males. The female organisms blend into there enviornment better than the males to hide from predators since they may be carrying offspring so there can be baby frogs. The males are brighter in color than the females. Tons more frogs are starting to appear in my pond. This could mean that the water has pulled them through to a different enviornment. Also that the water is starting to form algae and that attracts the frogs.

Observation #7

Site-Backyard

Date-May 28, 2008

Time- 5:38 P.M.

Temp.- 57 degrees

Weather Conditions-rainy/wet

Wind Conditions-somewhat of a breeze every once and awhile

Soil Conditions-damp and moist so organisms can eat and grow

Hypothesis-pond will flood?

Notes-For the last couple of days it has been raining alot. The pond last time i looked was almost over flowing. After the rain stopped the water went down quite a bit. Cattails are starting to grow and come up from last season. The water covers the some of the stems of the cattails. There has not been very much growth of vegitation on the ground. That may be because of way to much water. There has been a lot more growth in the trees and it is really helping the grass spots fill in. Now small leafs and flower studs/stems are beginning to bloom. More weeds are also popping up. There has been not as many bird flying around but I think the new moisture has attracted and brought out many more of the frogs. Since the season has still been changing and you can hear the frogs more and more each night. Mating season could be approaching. Same with the birds they could be nesting in the trees.

Works Cited

"Aspen Trees." www.google.com. 25 Apr. 2008. 28 May 2008 http://www.2020site.org/trees/aspen.html.


"Aspen." www.google.com. May-June 2008. Trees for life. 10 May 2008 http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/tfl.aspen.html.


Autumn Foliage and tree trunks of quaking aspen trees in he crested butte area of Colorado <http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/NGSPOD05/111392~Autumn-Foliage-and-Tree-Trunks-of-Quaking-Aspen-Trees-in-the-Crested-Butte-Area-of-Colorado-Posters.jpg>


Ivory, A. 2002. "Cygnus olor" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 29, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cygnus_olor.html.


"Mute Swans." www.google.com. 25 Apr. 2008. roots web. 27 May 2008 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com.


Mute Swan 01, May 12,2008<http://www.birdsofoklahoma.net/images/MuteSwan01.jpg>

Aspen Trees

Aspen Trees, Populus Tremuloices, need lots of preparation. Aspen prefer light soils, that are acidic and drain well. The Aspen is not usually a large tree. And is frequently found on damp hillsides, rocky valley bottoms, and hedges. It will grow in a wide range of different soils but loves moisture and light. It is a deep rooted tree that is not damaged by frost but cannot tolerate too much heat. The five typical aspens are distinguished from each other by leaf size and the size and spacing of the teeth on the adult leaves. Aspen trees are a fast growing and generally short lived tree, the light, soft wood has very little shrinkage (the loss of products) and high grades of aspen are used for lumber and wooden matches.

The Latin name means trembling poplar. The technical term for this is ‘dioecious’(A plant species is said to be dioecious when its male and female reproductive organs are carried on separate individual plants of the same species). Aspen trees are affected by numerous insects, diseases and cultural problems. These are short-lived trees. In the urban landscape, even properly cared-for aspen may not reach 20 years. Their life spans can be shortened further by one or more of several insects or diseases that attack aspen trees. Fungal diseases, such as Cytospora or other cankers which attack the trunk, are common, along with leaf spots. Aspens are very sensitive to many environmental problems and are host to more than five hundred species of parasites, berbivores, diseases, and other harmfull things. Aspen has been a problem to many, when planted in the landscape. Many of them die right from the begining.

The aspen has a broad open crown, lightly branched with twisting branches. The lower branches are often horizontal. The shoots are tiny and deep brown, and the leaf buds yellow and deep brown and slightly sticky. The leaves are almost circular, with large rounded teeth and taper to a small point. Aspen is a member of the willow family, and like all willows it has separate male and female trees. The bark is grey-green getting darker as the tree gets older. It is ridged in older trees. The height of aspen trees are 20 to 30 metres tall. Aspens are found all over Europe, North Africa, Turkey and Siberia. Many kinds of wildlife benefit from the foliage, twigs and buds of this tree. The aspen tree provides food and habitat for a variety of wildlife. For example black bear, deer, beaver, porcupine, elk, moose, and many smaller birds and animals, including small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, chipmunks, and rabbits. The leaves provide nutrients. Leaves conduct photosynthesis but gets nutrients and water from the giant root system.

Observation #6

Site-Backyard

Date- May19, 2008

Time- 6:15 P.M.

Temp- 48 degrees

Weather Conditions-Stormy/ rainy

Wind Conditions-Very windy. Rain turned into heavy wet rain and kind of a hail

Soil Conditions-Soil should be very damp kind of like moist. It should really start to make the grass and organisms living it grow or sprout.

Hypothesis- Grass will be alot greener by the end of the week

Notes- A healthy soil enviornment is starting to form. A healthy soil enviornment is dependant on a combination of factors. For instance structure, mineral content, and PH along with decomposing bioforms. The rain wont really make the grass grow right off the bat, because all of the minerals and soil organisms have to sprout and start over again. Photosynthesis depends on the sun and on the soil organisms that are living. Grass is a living organism because it goes through a growing cycle each year. They reproduce by developing small flowers that produce spores. That part of the cycle is starting right now. The spores pollinate other flowers, which produces seeds. The rain that has been falling within this week will help produce the seeds to start growing again. New organisms are starting to invade the new territorys and making places to live for the moment.

Observation #5

Site- Backyard

Date- May19, 2008

Time- 5:36 P.M.

Temp-38 degrees

Weather Conditions-Hot

Wind Conditions- not much wind but a slight breeze

Soil Conditions-drying up because of all the hot weather which dries the soil out.

Hypothesis-going to rain throughout the week

Notes-Very hot out outside. looks kind of cloudy and looks liek its going to rain. The rain will help the vegitation and animals. Soil will be very healthy and start to produce plants and flowers.

Observation #4

Site-Backyard

Date-May 16,2008

Time-6:33 P.M.

Temp-43 degrees

Weather-very warm and hot outside. Clouds were mainly gone and weather is getting hotter and hotter everyday. Grass is starting to fill in the dead parts. water has risen and the water flow is heavier.

Wind Conditions-breezy but not high winds

Soil Conditions-healthier and more grass is forming in all the dead areas.

Hypothesis-higher weather temperatures within the week

Notes-alot more birds are comign out. Many elk and buffalo crossing the streets to the feeding grounds. Clouds have all gone away and makes it warmer so the sun can peak through. water flow is very much heavier.Frogs are starting to croak and appear during the nights which means there habitat is back again.