Ecosystems
I spent some time sitting by a large pond that has the following plants, cattails, some sedge species, water reeds, duckweed and a weeping willow a few yards from the waters edge. Within the pond, there were the following creatures; bullfrog adults, bullfrog tadpoles, green frog adults, painted turtles at varying ages, mallard ducks, water beetles and damselflies. Some birds that were flying around included many male redwing blackbirds, some female redwing blackbirds, tree swallows and a northern flicker. The blackbirds were landing on the pond reeds and picking at the base presumably eating some tasty pond dwelling insects. I sit and watch and I learn. Many questions are answered this way. The tadpoles demostrated a behavior where they chew the algae off of the water plants and then swim to the surface of the water and gulp air. Im wondering if this behavior is part of the transition into the air-breathing life stage. Either way, it was fascinating to watch.
Several yards next to the pond lies an open field that constitutes wild native plants as well as birds and small mammals. Grass is cut in a path to allow guests to the park area to walk freely within the filed habitat. This path cuts through into a dense forest where the habitat changes yet again. These habitats are also adjacent to an agricultural field that is cultivated for crops. The wide open cropland offers a clearcut edge habitat. Deer tracks and trails were present along the border. Being on the border offers a food source from the agricultural field as well as immediate cover from potential predators.
Keeping these biological habitats in mind can be strung together with the anthropogenic and abiotic factors which help make up an ecosystem. The biotic systems and abiotic aspects come together when the park is open and people are spending time near the pond and walking on the trails. People are experiencing the natural world, curious children are trying to catch frogs with long butterfly nets, adults are jogging on the trails and walking their dogs and some are readIng quietly underneath a shady tree. The interactions that are made every day demonstrates the interconnectedness of the surrounding environment.
Comentarios
This is just beautiful Sophie. I like how you mentioned the interconnected areas and that is really important to remember. I am now also curious about the tadpoles. Do you know what kind of alagae it was?
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