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DATA COLLECTED
The following is a chart of the data collected based on the size of the trunk of the tree. This is a chart of
the entire class data compiled by each group; our group data is listed under group three.
Animals sightings, density, dominance, and calculated Shannon Index per group and class totals.
Grid of the ten meter by ten meter containing location of each tree and classification and type of tree.
According to our group data, there were eight trees that were analyzed that fell into four different
categories. Category 1, 4, 6, 7, 0-5 cm, 20.1-30 cm, 40.1-50 cm, and 50.1 60 cm respectively, was at a 0.00
density and 0% dominance. There was one tree in category 2, resulting in 12.5% dominance. There were two
trees in category 3 with 25% dominance. In category 5, there were 4 trees with 50% dominance. Last by not
least, the sixth category had one tree and resulted in 12.5% dominance. In terms of type of plants, the
dominating species was the walnut tree at 50% dominance out of the trees calculated. The class totals differed
slightly in that the only two species without representation was category 1 and 7.
Based on this analysis, the forest is a healthy forest as it can sustain a wide range of trees. The larger trees,
per usual, are older where was the smaller ones are comparatively younger. The older trees have been around
for a while and given that none are dead, the forest has been able to sustain it. The younger trees represent a
newer generation also growing steadily and also being sufficiently sustained. This shows diversification
through a prolonged time period. However, the species diversity is low among the trees in this specific
quadrant as 50% of it was dominated by the walnut trees. As for animals, there were 17 organisms found by
the group and 164 by the class as a whole. There was even some evidence of lichen and fungi growing on the
tree bark. The Shannon index for the animals was 1.80909 as a group and 1.79855 as a class. These compared
to the results conducted by A. Mataji for a Bioline study, where the Shannon index was a 2.0145, indicate that
this is also a healthy forest in terms of animal diversity.
The soil testing indicates the amount or even presence of either phosphorus, nitrogen, or
potassium. The first step is the extraction. With the use of FLOC EX tabs, this process allows an
acidic, clear liquid to be formed from the soil and distilled water. That liquid is then used to test the
amounts of the three elements (nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus) in the soil. The results of the
soil testing were that phosphorus as well as nitrogen were deficient in our soil sample. The color of
the phosphorus sample needed to be a shade of blue, and it was a very pale, light blue shade. This
result showed that although phosphorus was present, the quantity was scarce. The nitrogen showed a
similar result. This sample needed to be a shade of purple, and much like the phosphorus, it resulted
in a very pale purple. This result also demonstrated the lack of a high amount of phosphorous in the
soil. These result indicate that the soil itself is lacking in elemental nutrition, however based on the
tree health and undergrowth density, the results of the soil test may be skewed.
Aside from the quantitative data, there were some peculiar observations to be made about our
section of the forest. There was a large prairie like clearing in the midst of the rampage of trees. This
is indicative of some form of disruption in that specific area. Perhaps over predation of some plants,
natural disaster, or human disturbance. The forest is a healthy forest in terms of animal biodiversity
and plant generation diversity and despite its disturbances, it has managed to support and sustain
many forms of life.
www.parklandsfoundation.org/about/
www.ncforestservice.gov
https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/61755:4:US
http://www.defenders.org/forest/types-forests
http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?st09043