Indiana Dunes
By: Lenny Hong, Emily Park, Suneeth Samuel
Niles West High School | AP Biology 2002
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Mrs. Ami LeFevre
Purpose of the Trip
The purpose of this trip was to get a better
understanding of ecology and have a hands-on experience exploring succession.
Of course, knowing the torturous curriculum of AP Biology, we did not attend
this trip just for mere fun, but having to do a huge lab packet. In the
packet, we had to observe temperature and light intensity. We also studied
many different plant life throughout the trail and trying to study animal life
on the trail. The pictures can be found in the classification index page.
BEFORE THE SUCCESSION TRAIL
Before we got to the actual succession trail, we made a quick stop by Long Lake. We collected 7 samples of the water from Long Lake, which was going to be used for a later lab. The water samples that were collected was later used to determine the affect of light intensity on photosynthetic activity or the production of DO (dissolved oxygen). Also the question, Is Long Lake a healthy lake?, had to answered as well. Then as a class hypothesized that the greater the light intensity, the greater the production of DO will be. We then proved that the greater the light intensity, the greater the production by taking the water samples and putting them in different percent of light. Then measuring the amount of DO that was present in that water sample. The results showed that our hypothesis was correct. Then with further research, we concluded that Long Lake was a healthy lake because one, there were organisms living in the lake when collecting water samples, and two the DO concentration of the lake was about 5.46 mg/l. A healthy, non-stressful concentration is above 5.0mg/l but not too high.
History of the West Beach Trail
The West Beach succession trail begins at The Beach. A couple thousand years ago, the shoreline was a mile inland. When the climate got warmer and the lake receded, the plants and animal life advanced. This is where the oak-covered dune first began.
The next step is in the Dune Builders, where the most prominent plant is marram grass.
Third, is the Intradunal Pond, which was created by violent wind. Now, the pool of water looks calm and peaceful.
In the Lee Side, plants called little bluestem can be seen. As the plants of the Lee Side die, their remains make the soil richer.
Next, in the Jack Pines, bearberries and jack pine flourish.
In the steep-sided valley called the Blowout, the process of succession has moved backwards. Wind blew in through a spot in the dunes and carved out a depression. Plus, humankind has worn out the protective vegetation. A tree graveyard can be seen. Here, blackened, darkened tree remains are left.
In the Wooded Dune, temperatures are lower than in the Blowout. The variety of different plants indicate that the Wooded Dune is probably at last 2,000 years old.
In the last spot, the Sandmine Succession, the landscape is flat. This is because sandmineers leveled the area. Now, small mounds of sand are building up.
What is Succession?
According to dictionary.com, the definition of succession
is the gradual and orderly process of ecosystem development brought about by
changes in community composition and the production of a climax characteristic
of a particular geographic region.
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