Pond Organisms

During class today, we observed organisms in a sample from a local pond. Within this small sample, there was numerous organisms.

Of these organisms, I found 3 different species. They included:
The Water Boatman Larva. An interesting fact about the Water Boatman is that they make rowing motions when they swim

The Springtail. An interesting fact about the Springtail is that it is able to "spring" or jump forward a distance many times its own length.
 

The Dryopid Larva. An interesting fact about the Dryopid is that it can only be found in Texas. 
 
 After adding these organisms to my aquarium, the amount of filth in the water significantly increased.

Freshwater Careers

There are many freshwater careers, including wildlife biologists, wildlife ecologists, and entomologists.
A wildlife biologists studies the living organisms in an ecosystem. It's important to study living organisms to understand how they function and how we can preserve them.

A wildlife ecologists studies how living and non-living interact within an ecosystem. Understanding how organisms interact with each other is important because without that knowledge, how would we be able to protect their ecosystem?



An entomologists studies insects. Studying insects is important because scientists help others understand their life cycles and their distribution across and environment.

Oligotrophic Mesotrophic and Eutrophic

Ecological succession is the observed process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time. The terms oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic can be used to determine the age of lake. An oligotrophic lake have few plants, animals, and nutrients, or PAN. Oligotrophic lakes are newer because of the lack if PAN.

Mesotrophic lakes have a medium amount of PAN, informing scientists that the lake is medium in age. 

Eutrophic lakes have the highest amount of PAN. As a result of this, scientists can determine that eutrophic lakes are the oldest of all the lakes.

These terms are important in freshwater ecology because as the lakes progress in age, the ecology changes. In my aquarium, it would be considered mesotrophic while in Lewisville lake would be considered eutrophic.

Freshwater Ecology

Freshwater ecology is the study of the environment of freshwater. By studying the plants and animals in a body of water, as well as the components of the water itself, a scientist specializing in freshwater ecology can discover vital information about the health and needs of a freshwater system. The more people understand about freshwater ecology, the more they can work to protect these very fragile living environments. There are many problems in the ecology of the freshwater ecosystem. Many human changes have left these systems fragile and broken. Yet, many can be repaired or at least saved by stopping the problems. 

The differences between rivers and ponds include:  a pond is a smaller body of water that does not lead to a sea or ocean whereas, a river may lead to one of them or it might have a waterfall. .A pond is a body of water that is not a tributary to a larger body of water such as a bay, sea, or river. A river is a flowing body of water that connects to a bay or sea. Also, a pond is standing water, whereas a river is moving water. 

Pond

River

Aquarium Progress

My aquarium is progressing quite well. However, the last water test I preformed resulted in 1.0 for ammonia, which is not hospitable for fish yet. Luckily though, the nitrate test resulted in a 5.0, which is good for fish to live in. The temperature of the water was 21 degree C, or 70 degree F which is a good temperature for the tropical fish I plan to buy. The only noticeable change about my aquarium is the algae growth on Squirdward's house and the water is not turbid at all. Other than that, not much has changed. 

Water Issue

I learned many ways in which water is used daily throughout society.
Five facts I learned include:

• Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam in the world, holding about 10.3 trillion gallons of water.
• Three Gorges Dam holds so much water that it actually slows Earth's rotation
• It takes more water to make a steak than a salad
• Aerating sewage in a necessary process to purify water to get out all the grit out of it
• The Mediterranean and southern Africa would suffer the most extreme droughts as a result of global warming.

I think that Dani and Allen's presentation over dams was the best because they actually knew what they were talking about. I think my presentation could've been improved had I included more videos throughout the entire presentation.

 

Water Presentation

My water issue topic was the environmental problems caused by recreation use at Highland Village Kids Kastle pond.  I chose this topic because it affects my community. I'm concerned with animal and child safety. There is chemical runoff from cleaning bathrooms that goes into the pond by the giant playground. Many animals live and use the pond for a source of life, and the chemicals entering the pond threaten their lives. Similarly, children are constantly playing in the contaminated water. The side effects from the chemicals can threaten the children's health. By being aware of this issue, we can help preserve the animals' habitat and ensure that the children are being protected from harmful chemicals.