Ecosphere_Post 1 by Group [4.0 A]

Group Members: John, Tony, Kyle, Ali

Ecosphere Post 1

On April 11th, our group set up a controlled ecosphere in the lab. In order to set up the ecosphere, we were given from a range of different animal and plant species. Or more specifically, we could choose from a mix of autotrophs and heterotrophs. Our goal was to choose species and make an ecosphere that will sustain and grow over the course of several weeks.


Setup of Ecosphere:


The ecosphere was setup in a jar that included:


Soil (51 g)
Sand (238 g)
Gravel (147 g)
Bacopa (1 plant)
Green algae (Selenastrum capriconutum) (2 mL)
Anabaena (Cyanobacteria) (2 mL)
Daphnia (20 counts)
Shrimp (1 count)
Pond water

Food Web of Producers and Consumers:

After setting up the ecosphere, we closed the top of the jar and placed it in a place that can have open source of light. Light is important for organisms that photosynthesize.

Producers:
Plants
Bacopa (photochemolithotrophic, photoautotrophic)
Green algae (photoautotrophic, photochemolithotrophic)
Anabaena (photoautotrophic)


Consumers:
Daphnia (chemoorganoheterotrophic)
Shrimp (chemoorganoheterotrophic)

April 27th:

The above picture was taken about two weeks after the ecosphere setup. While observed, changes were already been seen. There is algae growth on plant branches that was not there when we setup the ecosphere initially.

In the above image, shrimp has molted its skin. At the initial observation on that day, we thought our shrimp was dead. However, after close observations, it was concluded that it is just skin. Lo and behold, we spotted our shrimp that was hiding inside the plants. He was alive and roaming free.

May 2nd: 

The above picture were observed on May 2nd. There was extensive growth of green algae on plant leaves and stems. In addition, the last image shows a big green patch of green algae leaving on the glass. The shrimp and Daphnia were still alive in the ecosphere.

May 4th:

Above two pictures were taken on May 4th. First image shows high concentration of algae on tree side of the jar is directly exposed to sun. It was hypothesize that side of the jar, green algae photosynthesize better and thus have extensive growth. There were also new gametophytes observed in the jar. The Shrimp and Daphnia were still alive. Both organisms have normal growth.

Prdictions: 

We are predicting more algae growth in our ecosphere for next weeks. Shrimp will stay alive and as well as Daphnia. We are predicting normal growth for these two organisms.