Bio 140

Nuphar polysepalum Group

Lab: 2B5
Yuan Zhe Feng, Manu Jagdeo,
Adam Dvorak, Nino Roco

Abstract:
The effect of temperature and light intensity on the abundance of Nuphar polysepalum in UBC botanical
gardens
In this research, we investigated the abundance of Nuphar polysepalum in correlation to the
light intensity of the area and the temperature of the water. In the introduction, the general description
and basic interactions of the Nuphar polysepalum with other features in the environment, whether
biotic or abiotic, are introduced. We carried out this research by measuring the abundance of various
types of organism within an area using the basic protocol. Results of this research showed that when
temperature of the water is higher, there is greater abundance of Nuphar polysepalum in the area. This
can be explained primarily through Brewer and Smiths study in 1995 which focuses on how the wetness
of the surface of leaves on a plant affects gas exchange. The results allow us to reject the null hypothesis
and provide evidence for our alternate hypothesis.
For a future experiment, the temperature of the water and air should both be measured at night
in addition to the abundance using the same protocol, so that a relationship between the leaf surface
wetness and abundance can be observed.
References
Brewer C. A., and Smith W. K. 1995. Leaf Surface Wetness and Gas Exchange in the Pond Lily
Nuphar Polysepalum (Numphaeaceae). American Journal of Botany, 82 (10): 1271-1277.
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Available from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500817
[accessed 31 March 2013]
Hermann S. J. 1976. Caloric and Micronutrient Content of Nuphar polysepalum. The Southwestern
Naturalist, 21 (3): 373-382
Native Plant Database. 2011. A database for Native and Invasive plants [online]. Available from
http://nativeplants.evergreen.ca/search/view-plant.php?ID=00451 [accessed 31 March 2013]