Crime scene investigation
In this project we took several steps to solve a crime. These were based on real world procedures in the case of a homicide including, fingerprinting, Blood splatter Analysis, DNA analysis and much more. I learned a lot about the process that is taken during an investigation. I really enjoyed the hands on experience and I learned much more than if we wouldn't have been provided with real crime scenes.
Dissection
I dissected a shark in biology and learned about blood systems respiratory system and other fundamentals systems to a shark’s survival. I did not have a partner for this project so I had to figure out exactly what to do by myself. This was very interesting and I learned a lot about what a shark is made of.
Monkey meal plan
I created a recipe that fit a monkeys dietary needs which was then used at a real monkey research facility.
Fruit And Yogurt Smoothie
Created by: Al Thomson
Category: Regular Meal For Monkeys
Total Carbs: 283 grams
Total Fats: 4 grams
Total Sugars: 187 grams
Makes: 101 oz/12.5 cups
Serve in: Cups
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 5 Medium Bananas
- 2 ¼ Cups Of Yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons And 1 Teaspoon Of White Sugar
- 1 Cup Of Pineapple Juice
- 1 Cup Of Strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon And 2 Teaspoons Of Orange Juice
- 1 Tablespoon And 2 Teaspoons Of Milk
Directions:
Blend the banana, yogurt, sugar, pineapple juice, strawberries, orange juice, and milk in a blender until smooth.
Created by: Al Thomson
Category: Regular Meal For Monkeys
Total Carbs: 283 grams
Total Fats: 4 grams
Total Sugars: 187 grams
Makes: 101 oz/12.5 cups
Serve in: Cups
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 5 Medium Bananas
- 2 ¼ Cups Of Yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons And 1 Teaspoon Of White Sugar
- 1 Cup Of Pineapple Juice
- 1 Cup Of Strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon And 2 Teaspoons Of Orange Juice
- 1 Tablespoon And 2 Teaspoons Of Milk
Directions:
Blend the banana, yogurt, sugar, pineapple juice, strawberries, orange juice, and milk in a blender until smooth.
DNS Habitat assesment
Executive Summary
Durango Nature Studies wants to manage their 140-acre property in order to promote native leopard frog amphibian populations and eliminate the invasive bullfrog population. Bullfrogs were first seen on DNS property three years ago. Bullfrogs are on the top 100 most invasive species list due to their aggressive behavior. Because these frogs are so aggressive, they can easily compete out a native amphibian population, so it is crucial to take out this invasive species.
DNS acquired the property that they own in 1998 and host a variety of activities on its property. DNS offers a variety of workshops, service projects, hiking, training, research opportunities and many more breath taking nature activities. They also collaborate with multiple colleges and corporations to conduct research on the property. Because DNS has so many activities involving people interacting with natural ecosystems it is important that they maintain quality habitats and natural biodiversity.
A group of researchers performed water quality tests (in both the river and pond). Visual encounter surveys of the amphibians and a wildlife inventory at DNS. These tests allow them to estimate the amphibian population size assessment and habitat quality.
DNS has a maximum budget of $2,000 dollars for this management to get rid of the invasive species. This management plan can be done anywhere on the property as long as it doesn’t disturb the interesting research.
Species Overview
Leopard frogs are very interesting and unique creatures. They require a broad range of habitats due to the season and stage of life they are at. The frogs also change locations multiple times a year. They need a different habitat for different stages of growth they are in. These habitats are categorized into three different types: winter, summer, and breeding/tadpole habitat. Although they require different habitats for each stage, their different habitats should be close in proximity to allow for migration. Breeding and tadpole habitats include an open canopy, no fish inhabitants, low salinity, and no bedrock shoreline and mid sized pond anywhere from 30-60m in diameter and 1.5-2m deep. Leopard frogs need to be in reasonably shallow ponds so that when the sun heats the pond it gets warm and leads to faster development. Summer habitats need grassy meadows (with grasses at least 30cm tall). This is a crucial element so they can get out of the pond when it rains and hide in the wet grass. In late fall the adults migrate to overwintering areas, which include streams, and deeper ponds or rivers this is so the frogs can burrow in the sand (Smith and Keinath 2004).
Unlike leopard frogs, bullfrogs have a less complex life cycle, therefore they do not require as large of a range of habitats. For breeding they need permanent and slow or non-moving water with temperatures at 90 degrees F or lower in order for the larva to properly and fully develop. When they are juveniles, they migrate after metamorphosis into small and occasionally overshadowed pools with few or no adults. These areas usually include vegetation or more swampy regions. As adults Rana catesbiana live in large deep ponds that are dense in vegetation. Although they prefer summer they can survive cold temperatures.
Results
The phosphate levels in the pond were 5ppm and the river was 4ppm, this is high. Dissolved oxygen levels in the pond were 7.5 mg/L, which is normal and the river test results were inconclusive. The PH levels in the river and pond were slightly alkaline at 8. The nitrate levels in the pond and river 1ppm and 2ppm this is normal. Coliform levels were both positive. Based on data from eight veg-plot surveys, the Shannon-Weiner diversity index was calculated to be 1.3, which is adequate. Based on macro invertebrate data collected from the river and pond the diversity was stable. There was an average of 6.25 frogs and 9.25 person hours.
Discussion
Diversity in an ecosystem is essential for stability and sustainability. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index is an accepted way to quantify diversity in an ecosystem. Macro invertebrates are a sensitive to changes in water quality and therefore make a good indicator of diversity and overall ecosystem health. The American Stonefly is very sensitive to pollution. The phosphate levels in the DNS river were 4ppm, which is too high for the Stonefly. Also there were positive results for coliform, which means there were mammal feces in the river. There are high phosphate levels in the pond, which are hard to reduce. One way to reduce phosphate levels involves vegetation strips. If upstream farmers were to but vegetation strips between their property and the river the phosphate levels would potentially go down. The plants would soak up the animal feces before they could run down to the river. Phosphate levels should be reduced because stoneflies and many other species are sensitive to high levels.
Bullfrogs are extremely difficult to catch. Over the years AHS students have not seen or caught any bullfrogs. One way to catch bullfrogs is a trap known as the ‘pit fall trap’. A pit fall trap is a set of strategically placed large PVC pipes in the ground. There are fences running to and from the three PVC pipes. Lights could be placed next to the traps to attract bullfrogs, which are nocturnal. Students could then check the traps and count the bullfrogs and leopard frogs. It would be essential to place a wet sponge at the bottom of the trap so the frogs would not dehydrate. Leopard frogs like conglomerate of ponds. One way to improve leopard frog populations would be to add multiple ponds that are less than 5 hectares in diameter. Blue gill fish are not friendly to leopard frogs. DNS could start removing blue gill fish from the pond and river.
Bibliography
"DNR - Fish Kills." DNR - Fish Kills. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.
WebsiteLinkTagsEditDelete
"Pitfall Traps - Collecting Methods - Mississippi Entomological Museum Home."Pitfall Traps - Collecting Methods - Mississippi Entomological Museum Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.
WebsiteLinkTagsEditDelete
"Use of Pitfall Traps." Welcome. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.
Durango Nature Studies wants to manage their 140-acre property in order to promote native leopard frog amphibian populations and eliminate the invasive bullfrog population. Bullfrogs were first seen on DNS property three years ago. Bullfrogs are on the top 100 most invasive species list due to their aggressive behavior. Because these frogs are so aggressive, they can easily compete out a native amphibian population, so it is crucial to take out this invasive species.
DNS acquired the property that they own in 1998 and host a variety of activities on its property. DNS offers a variety of workshops, service projects, hiking, training, research opportunities and many more breath taking nature activities. They also collaborate with multiple colleges and corporations to conduct research on the property. Because DNS has so many activities involving people interacting with natural ecosystems it is important that they maintain quality habitats and natural biodiversity.
A group of researchers performed water quality tests (in both the river and pond). Visual encounter surveys of the amphibians and a wildlife inventory at DNS. These tests allow them to estimate the amphibian population size assessment and habitat quality.
DNS has a maximum budget of $2,000 dollars for this management to get rid of the invasive species. This management plan can be done anywhere on the property as long as it doesn’t disturb the interesting research.
Species Overview
Leopard frogs are very interesting and unique creatures. They require a broad range of habitats due to the season and stage of life they are at. The frogs also change locations multiple times a year. They need a different habitat for different stages of growth they are in. These habitats are categorized into three different types: winter, summer, and breeding/tadpole habitat. Although they require different habitats for each stage, their different habitats should be close in proximity to allow for migration. Breeding and tadpole habitats include an open canopy, no fish inhabitants, low salinity, and no bedrock shoreline and mid sized pond anywhere from 30-60m in diameter and 1.5-2m deep. Leopard frogs need to be in reasonably shallow ponds so that when the sun heats the pond it gets warm and leads to faster development. Summer habitats need grassy meadows (with grasses at least 30cm tall). This is a crucial element so they can get out of the pond when it rains and hide in the wet grass. In late fall the adults migrate to overwintering areas, which include streams, and deeper ponds or rivers this is so the frogs can burrow in the sand (Smith and Keinath 2004).
Unlike leopard frogs, bullfrogs have a less complex life cycle, therefore they do not require as large of a range of habitats. For breeding they need permanent and slow or non-moving water with temperatures at 90 degrees F or lower in order for the larva to properly and fully develop. When they are juveniles, they migrate after metamorphosis into small and occasionally overshadowed pools with few or no adults. These areas usually include vegetation or more swampy regions. As adults Rana catesbiana live in large deep ponds that are dense in vegetation. Although they prefer summer they can survive cold temperatures.
Results
The phosphate levels in the pond were 5ppm and the river was 4ppm, this is high. Dissolved oxygen levels in the pond were 7.5 mg/L, which is normal and the river test results were inconclusive. The PH levels in the river and pond were slightly alkaline at 8. The nitrate levels in the pond and river 1ppm and 2ppm this is normal. Coliform levels were both positive. Based on data from eight veg-plot surveys, the Shannon-Weiner diversity index was calculated to be 1.3, which is adequate. Based on macro invertebrate data collected from the river and pond the diversity was stable. There was an average of 6.25 frogs and 9.25 person hours.
Discussion
Diversity in an ecosystem is essential for stability and sustainability. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index is an accepted way to quantify diversity in an ecosystem. Macro invertebrates are a sensitive to changes in water quality and therefore make a good indicator of diversity and overall ecosystem health. The American Stonefly is very sensitive to pollution. The phosphate levels in the DNS river were 4ppm, which is too high for the Stonefly. Also there were positive results for coliform, which means there were mammal feces in the river. There are high phosphate levels in the pond, which are hard to reduce. One way to reduce phosphate levels involves vegetation strips. If upstream farmers were to but vegetation strips between their property and the river the phosphate levels would potentially go down. The plants would soak up the animal feces before they could run down to the river. Phosphate levels should be reduced because stoneflies and many other species are sensitive to high levels.
Bullfrogs are extremely difficult to catch. Over the years AHS students have not seen or caught any bullfrogs. One way to catch bullfrogs is a trap known as the ‘pit fall trap’. A pit fall trap is a set of strategically placed large PVC pipes in the ground. There are fences running to and from the three PVC pipes. Lights could be placed next to the traps to attract bullfrogs, which are nocturnal. Students could then check the traps and count the bullfrogs and leopard frogs. It would be essential to place a wet sponge at the bottom of the trap so the frogs would not dehydrate. Leopard frogs like conglomerate of ponds. One way to improve leopard frog populations would be to add multiple ponds that are less than 5 hectares in diameter. Blue gill fish are not friendly to leopard frogs. DNS could start removing blue gill fish from the pond and river.
Bibliography
"DNR - Fish Kills." DNR - Fish Kills. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.
WebsiteLinkTagsEditDelete
"Pitfall Traps - Collecting Methods - Mississippi Entomological Museum Home."Pitfall Traps - Collecting Methods - Mississippi Entomological Museum Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.
WebsiteLinkTagsEditDelete
"Use of Pitfall Traps." Welcome. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2013.