APTER ONT

satnry/n

Proiect Title:
Proiect by:
Purpose ofProiect:

TABLE, OF CONTEI\ITS

Methods of data collection

Literature Review
Presentation of data
Analysis of data
Discussion of findings

Conclusion
Recommendations

BibliographY
Appendix

s.tafrard' ruPnt
The ecology in the school farm
Chene Mohammed
To study a manmade ecological system at Couva Government
is
Secondary School, Tlinidad (the manmade ecological system
the school)

The main ecological systems in the fatm arc;

(a) pond ecology

(which include fruit trees)

The ecology studied will be compared to similar, natural ecosystems'
@) ecology of the evergreen trees

PURPOSS OF

Trrs

I:RSJT,CT

* oW3,CTrr/E

The main objective: Adaptation, Species diversity'

(1) is to study Charles Darwin's theory on

(a) Natural selection

(b) AdaPtation
(2)Thefarm,sbiogeochemicalcyclesandcomparethemtonaturalcycles
(3) Competition-( fish species and trees)
(4)Speciesdiversity(thefishesinthepondandthefarmtrees)
(5) Growth rate (fishes in the Pond)
VARIABLTS
The constants:-

.
.
.
o
o
r
.
.
.
.
r
.
.

fish food
height of the pond (water level)
time of sampling of water hyacinttrs in the pond
size of the pond (16ft x 20ft x 5ft)
size of the filter pond (4ft x 4ft x 3ft)
size of the farm (30ft x 1.32tt)
experimental Period 6 months
fixed number of evergreen trees
water level of the pond maintained by topping up on
type of food to feed fishes- red Tilapia fish pellets
time of day the fishes are fed; -morning period
sampling time on the 15th of every month
equivalent amounts of plants in the pond

a weekly basis

by students

Manipulative variables: -

r
.
o

growth rate of fishes

growth rate of water hyacinths in the pond
feeding relationships between organisms on the farm

Responding variables:-

o
o
.
.
o
.

the number of fishes at the end of the study

the number of water hyacinths at the end of the study
changes in the size of fish and water hyacinths at the end of the study
species diversity of the fishes
population of the fishes and water hyacinths
adaptation of the water hyacinths

CHAPTER

THE STUDYOF ECOLOcY

25

M&TTiCI$ OF DAIA COLI.uETION

Data collection started in October 15th 2008. It was decided that data would be collected on
the 15th of every month for the next six months. During this period, the water hyacinths
are observed and pictures are taken to show adaptation of these water hyacinths in the two
filter ponds and larger pond.
At the end of the six month period, the pond would be emptied and its species diversity is
calculated. At the start of the project 135 Red Tilapia fingerlings were placed into the pond.
The trees in the farm are counted and listed according to both their common name and
scientific name.
Data was collected by the students in a rotation system to ensure that all students took
part in the project. Groups were assigned to data collection for different months to collect
photographs as well as maintain the pond's water level every few days.
Also with regard to the collation of data of the trees on the farm, different groups were
assigned to check the number of trees, categories the types of trees by the local names and
to research the scientific names. The data was revised a number of times to ensure accuracy.
Groups of students were also rotated every morning to feed the flshes in the pond.
All activities were overseen by the teacher.

LTTERAT$RS ft.gIrINXT
1' Ecology is the study of organisms in their natural surroundings and the word was
coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1869, fully ten years after Charles Darwin
published his theory on natural selection.
This research project is based on the school's farm and the school's pond located on the
farm. The dimensions of the farm are 30ft x 132ft. The variety evergreen trees on the
farm ranges from large Pomerac trees (Syzygium Malaccensea) to the Poinsetta (Eugenia
Floribunda). The farm area also consist of a few crops that students grow.
The pond is 20ft x 15ft x 5ft in dimension and was built in December 2006. Saran netting
was used to line the pond to prevent the fishes from expanding the pond size by digging
into the sides of it. Also a submersible pump was placed inside the pond. In addition there
are tvvo smaller filter ponds that help with the flow of the water in the pond. This ensured
that the water was kept clean and also to prevent the death of the fishes.
On October l5th,one hundred and fifty (150) Red Tilapia roughly three centimetres in
length (3cm) were placed in the pond . This would lead to the research findings on the
competition factor between the fishes as they would compete for food, space and mates.
2. Competition is the utilisation of a resource in short supply by two or more organisms
with the result that at least one of the organisms grows and reproduces.
Research is also being conducted on the water hyacinths and competition for light and
space in the large pond as well as the two smaller filter ponds where factors such as space
and light are limited. Here is where adaptation would be observed.
3. Adaptation is where in an ecological or evolutionary change in structure a function that
enables an organism to adtust better to its environment and hence enhances the organism,s
ability to survive.
At the end of the six month period, it is expected that the pond will reach its carrying
capacity with respect to the population of the Red Tilapia fishes.

'

:j,.n i'aj'.'!:il
...
4. Carryir1g capar.ity is the maxirrrum popr,ilattcrn oi'a .qivt:; ipr:. e5 'Jhai
'i'':.}
l'{i.t-it:
i
i !-ir: .-:r':1:rrig rapi:. " , '
suJlllcrt .i,vithout i;eing degracled or rJ estroired iri tlie
l
' -at,:",jt7
s'l/-itiinil
the
ieSSenitrg
i'iotnrithollt
" t'.','
beel,eee,led,b-,Slrrtay
biological
the
and
drained
pond
would
be
the
period,
run. Also at the end of the six month

'i -

t'

diversity calculated.
:'s i:'i': :-i'i'-r1lel
5. ilioiogira,i |iiversity refers to the variety of life-forrns, c,lmrncni,v e.r';ple:,;ed
of species ifi -n5- area, cr ti:.e nr:mber of genetic t;vpes in ali area. These species would also be
included in the food web drawings of the farm's and ponds ecosystem.

Quotes

BIOLOG! authors- Michel Reiss &Jenny Chapmanl

Press 2004
Unive$ity
Cambridge
bypublished
2. Competition- ECOLOGY PRINCIPLES AND APPLICANTS 2nd EDITION, authors'J.L
chapman & MJ Reiss I published by cambridge university Press 2006
3.Adaptation- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Toward a sustanable future 8th EDITION ,
1. Ecology- ENIVRONMENTAL

authors-Richard T. Wright & Bernard J. Nebel 2002

4.Carrying Capacity- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Toward a sustainable future 8th EDITION,
authors- Richard T. Wright & BernardJ. Nebel 2002
S.Biological Diversity- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Earth as a living planet 6th EDITION,
authors- Daniel B. Botkin & Edward A. Kellerl published by-John Wiley & sons 2007'

RE$l-rtil'S

Table of plant
SCIENTIFIC NAME

Pomerac

Syzygium Malaccensea

10

Citrus

Citrus pp

51

Breadfruit

Arto Carpus Altilis

Noni

Morinda Citrifolia
Manilla Grandiflora
Spendias Monbin
Phoenix Dactylifera
Musa Accminata
Cocos Nucifera
Magifera Indica

Cocoa

Plum
Palm
Banana

Coconut
Mango

t20
T2

8
2

Pommectythere

Poinsetta

Euphoria Pulcherrima

Coffee

Coffea Arabica

Duranta

Duranta Erecto

Soursop

Annona Muricata

Ficus

Ficus Virens

Poui

Tabebiua Ligulans

FIGURE 1 shows the types of trees

Eugenia Floribunda

Cherry

t:

Ceries

NUMBER OF PLANTS

COMMON NAME

in the farm

CHAPTER

THE sTUDYOF ECOLOGY

27

PRESENTATION OF DATA

Dlagran

1. Showlng a

natural carbon cycle

(4)DEATfl&DECAY

Diagram 2: Carbon cycle on the school farm

fAgBGirsmlgon
e{?

p{Trn,nrtmsplwna

RARE

COI1BUSTIO\

PHOTOSI\TI{ESIS

.,''q&@XlF,',
'eOArS*{JlSffi'

CRCAI"IC

coMmL${ss

[ATF(BY

Aliht{ts

6K*n!{ifl

CRTSFPT"i$TS

ffi;Fw!{n*
tl

RTSPIRATIO\

*XIM*LS

:
l

EATE-\ BY

rISH
DEATH

&
DECAY

' ryfry..-,
,' l''.
DEATH

A\T

DECAY

l
I

CHAPTER

.I

THE STUDYOF ECOLOGY

Results

Organisms in the school pond

g Organisms in the school pond
Tilapia fish

Local black
conchlsnails

Water beetles

0.489i

Killy fish

0.95%

Cascadura fish

0.37%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00%

30.00-elo

40.00% 50'00% 60.00% 70.00%

80'009{

Figure 3 shows the percentage of organisms that were found in the school's pond at the end
of the six month period.

Size of Tilapia Fi:

50%*-

:-

40%*'3Oc%-:'

...

1.0.5096

I
"*T*

".oe.J"r.."" ".C
ogJ
^""".
"-u-tt"" o."r-"* """

o.soe6

,.""C

.d

_o*o"

Figure 4 shows the size categories of the Tilapia fish that rrere found

the end of the six month period.

in the school's pond at

BIODIVERSITY CALCULATIONS
Number of organisms found in the pond:

. CASCADURA FISH- 3
e KILLI FISH- 8
. WATER BEETLES.4
o LOCAL BLACK COCNH/SNAILr RED TILAPIA- 593

233

DIVERSITY
N (N SpeciesDiversity, D=t*j,

SPECIES

N = total number of organisms

n = population of each sPecies
i
I

CALCULATIONS. Species diverslty of the pond'

n_
u

D-

@4

1) + 233(233

1) + 593 (s93

1)

841 (840)
z1z1

asO + 4(3) + 233(232) + s93(592)

706440

u = 6 + 56 + 72+ 54056 + 351056

T\--

706440

" - 405186
D = !.74

CHAPTER

THE sTUDYOF ECOLO6Y

37

CALCULIITIONS. Specles dlverslty of the farm trees.

231(231

L2O(120- 1) + 1(1

1\

-I) +72(1'2-1) +2(2-I) +2(2-t) +2(2-I) +2(2 - 1) + 8(8- 1) +

2(2-r)+2(2-1)+1(1-1)

2(1)+s1(50)+2(1)+8(7)+1(0)+2(1)+10(9)+1(0)+720(It9)+1(0)+12(1'D+2(I)+
2(1) + 2(L) + 2(I) + 8(7) + 2(t) + 2(1) + 1(0)

rt = 2

53130

255gpZ + 56 +0 +2+ 90+0 + 14280 + 0+ 132 + 2 +2 + 2+2+ 56 + 2 + 2 +O

T'\-- s3130

" - r7l8z
D = 3.09
OF ORGANISMS IN THE

FOOD lvEB SHOWING THE FEEDING

SCHOOL FARM
-_^..-.*

r'

Frult

l/'
l

Bfits

,/
i
i

'

al

lr
llt

!l
a_

ir
t!,

t\
I

Gmsclwprt

G*terpi$aru
'S

rijil'

'i,

Aphldg

Terrylltes

rS

"

ff.

.t

I
,i

t
.t

I
I

,l

,J'

'./

:l

drcpn

Trees

Figure 6 The food web showing the feeding relationship between organisms in the school
farm ecosystem.

CHAPTER

THE sTUDY OF ECOLOdY 39

A&;,&g,vsl$ {,}F i}.434

The ecology of the farm consisted of the ever green trees on the farm as r'r'ell as the ecology
of the sch6ol,s pond. Figure 1 shows the tale of the different species of trees on the farm
by both their local names as well as their scientific names and the amount of them found'
to
t-his tabte was used to calculate the species diversity of the farm ecosystem with respect
farm
school's
the
that
indicated
which
3.09
was
farm
the
of
the trees. The species diversity
pond was
was a complex ecosystem which made it very stable. The species diversity of the
that
animals
different
the
3
shows
Figure
period.
calculatedlt the end of the six month
made
that
the
animals
of
percentage
as
the
were found when the pond was drained as well
found
was
and
calculated
was
up the total pond ecosystem population. The species diversity
not
stable'
and
toAe t.Z+which means that the pond's ecosystem is very simple
With reference to figure 4, the development of the tilapia is shown' There are a few fully
grown fishes in the pond as compared to the 55o/o of the fish population that is still in its
ingerling stages. This shows that the tilapia population is still increasing in the pond with
avaitaLte food and mates. Their only limiting factor would eventually be space'
In the pond Kiui fish Cascadura fish were found in small numbers. These were not
intentionally included into the study. It was realized that during the flrst pond draining a
pond in
few Cascadura fishes hid themselves in the mud. The Killi fishes have entered the

,.uiity

various ways to be discussed'

At the start of the proiect 135 red tilapia fingerlings were introduced into the pond. The
tilapia population has increased to 593 fishes in total. This shows that there was a period of
growth among this species in the pond until space became its limiting factor'
"*ponentiat
With respect to the water hyacinths, figure 2 shows their development for the six month
period. ti was shown that during the first four months that the water hyacinths were
iuccessfully adapting however due to other influences and situations, their adaptation
showed to be unsuccessful by the 5th month. They were dead by the 6th month and
another water weed called "Duck weed" adapted to the conditions as seen in the picture for
the 6th month. The adaptation of the duck weed was due to its favourable conditions which
the water hyacinths could not cope with.
The picture below shows the "duck weed" adaptation at the 6th month period.

i:, i.
,t

*j

* {rt
1

Here the "duck weed" can

be seen adapting while the
rvater hr-acinths die.

Flndings
1. The water hyacinths cannot adapt very easily

to changes in conditions of water

temperature

Z.Thetilapia flshes do not have problems with population increase since they do not have
strong competition for food , space and mates between other fish species. They however
woutd be aflected by the limiting factor of space in the future. Also with a large population
there would be competition for food among themselves'
3. Also some species of fish are more naturally equipped for survival such as the Killi fish
which were not introduced into the pond by the researchers but were introduced by various
theories.
4. The farm is a stable and complex ecosystem for its size due to the fact that it houses
varied species of trees.
cycle in
5. With respect to the biogeochemical cycles, there is no difference in the carbon
take
comparison between the firm's and a natural cycle, except for the rare forest fires that

phc6 seasonally. However there are differences between the nitrogen rycle
water cycle that are influenced by man.

CHAPTER

as

well

as

the

THE sTUDY OF E<OLO6Y

NISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

With rcspect to finding 1. Water hyacinths cannot adapt easily to changes in conditions of
water temperature. This was due to pump failure of the filter ponds that regulate the flow of
water within the pond. The dead roots of some of the water hyacinths got sucked into the
pump and caused technical difficulties. As a result the natural conditions of a fresh water
system were changed. The flow of water kept the pond water at a constant temperature
however this obstacle caused the temperature of the water to rise as well as the lack of oxygen
in the water killed the water hyacinths. As a result another aquatic weed developed normally
called ,,duck weed" since all favourable conditions were available for it to develop and adapt
and survive. However, this water weed is a pest as it was seen within 3 weeks it covered the
entire surface of the filter ponds, suffocating any tilapia fingerlings that were in these filter
ponds as well. Upon investigation, a foul stench had developed during attempts to move the
duck weed for analysis of the filter pond's condition.
Finding 2 showed that there was little stress placed upon the Tilapia with respect to
reproduction since there was a lack of competition and availability of food even when
the tilapia pellets did run out at one point in time the fishes fed on he roots of the water
hyacinths.lt can be seen that from 135 tilapia fingerlings that were place t the beginning and
the increase to 593 tilapia total. However with the growing population and the competition
for food many of the fingerlings are eaten by adult tilapia in the process for competition for
food.
With respect to finding 3, some species of fish are more equipped for survival since they were
not introduced into the pond system by the researchers but ended up in the system in many
ways. One species of fish in particular is the Killi fish. They can be found in drains and can
survive in little moisture. They could have found their way during the rainy season due to
surface runoff from the near by pond (approximately 50 m -75m away) they tend to follow
the drains 'hopping' and found themselves in this pond. Another theory is that during birds'
feeding some of the fish may have fallen from the birds claws and into the pond/nearby
drains (dispersal). The third theory was that the very tiny Killi fishes were taken up / scooped
up during evaporation and remained in the atmosphere then were dispersed during the
rainfall into different areas including the pond.
Finding 5 states that the farm is a very stable ecosystem with its wide species diversity of 3.09.
AIso it is due to the fact that there are many different species of animals that ensure that the
farm is a very diverse and complex ecosystem. There exists the predator -prey relationship
between many animal species on the farm. A simplified example of the feeding relationships
on the farm can be seen on the food web figUre 6. Top predators are birds.
With reference to finding 6, there is no difference between the carbon cycles in the natural
world and the farm since buming of material is prohibited on these grounds. However there
are the rare wild fires in the wild that cannot be controlled that take place during the dry
season or from contact with lightning during storms. However there are differences in the
system with respect to the nitrogen rycle. The farm is also used to teach students about
farming and legume crops ( peas/Beans/ soybeans) draw nitrogen from the air thus increasing
the normal rate of nitrogen fixation on land. Also other crops are heavily fertilized with
nitrogen derived components from industrial fixation. Humans are more than doubling the
rate at which nitrogen is moved from the atmosphere to the land. Also with respect to the
water cycle, the water cycle on the farm does not undergo the seasonal changes that influence
a natural ecosystem. Water is constantly regulated within the ecosystem ie. Regular irrigation
of crops and a constant maintainance of the water level in the pond. Here the natural
water table is kept at a constant level as compared to natural systems where the water table
undergoes seasonal level changes.

CONCI-USION
The population of the Red Tilapia increased from the beginning to the end of the
inveitigation. The species diversity of the pond was found tobe 1.74 which says that this
is not a stable ecosystem due to the face that there is a simple food chain. The species
diversity of the farm was found to be 3.09 which say that the farm is a complex ecosystem
thus making it stable due to its wide variety of trees in the ecosystem. Also a predator-prey
relationship exist among the different animal species in the farm. The biogeochemical
cycles are compared between natural cycles and cycles on the farm. On the farm the carbon
cycle remains the same as the natural cycle. The nitrogen cycle is affected by the use of
fertilizers added to the soil to enhance crop yields on the school farm. The water cycle on
the farm does not undergo natural changes as in the natural cycles but the water is regulated
throughout the system through regular irrigation of crops and maintenance of the pond's
water level.

XTEC$MMENDATIONS
The Tilapia pellets (Fish food ) ran out and was not replenished immediately for future
investigation the food supply should be readily replenished before the it is used up. A
student should be placed in charge of monitoring the amount of food available for the
fishes so that the organisms are not stressed'
The filter pump had failed due to the water hyacinth roots being sucked in and blocking the
passage way. Any dead plants should be removed to avoid pump failure and damage. The
pump should me constantly monitored and a back up pump should be purchased in the

situation where a pump would fail.

BIBLIOGRAPTIY
i

Authors- Botkin Daniel B. & Keller Edward A. Environmental science Earth as a living planet
6th EDITION , I published by- John Wiley & sons 2007
Authors- Chapman J.L & MJ Reiss ecology principles and applicants 2nd edition ,
published by Cambridge University Press 2OO6
Authors- Michel Reiss &Jenny Chapman Enivronmental biology, published by- Cambridge
University Press 2004
Authors-Richard T. Wright & BernardJ. Nebel 2OO2Envtuonmental science Toward a
sustanable future 8th EDITION
I

(HAPTEB

THE sTUDYOF ECOLOcY

43