Date: May 29th
Time: 5:12 PM
Temp: 45 Degrees F
Weather: Cloudy, Windy, Rainy
Soil: Soaked
Observation #8
Standing out in the pouring rain, I noticed an influx in the bird population diversity. I saw several robins, starlings, and crows. They were displaying a fascinating show of interspecific competition. The starlings and the robins were fighting over worms that were coming out the saturated soil by the thousands. The crows tended to do their own thing because the other two species knew that the crow was much larger then them. The crow, with its larger body and black coloration, has the anti-predator adaptation of displaying intimidation. I hypothesize that the smaller species of birds had enough sense to know that taking on the crow in a battle royal for a worm would result in them coming out on the bottom. I think that they realize their place in the food chain. Speaking of the food chain, worms are decomposers and help to break down the soil and return nutrients to the earth. Between the worms and the birds, the symbiotic relationship mutualism is displayed. However, when the community of birds try to eat the worms, one could call this predator versus prey relationships. As I have seen the pond fill up in the tiny man made park near my house, I have noticed how biodiversity increases, and organisms interact differently within their environments. I have realized that nature has subtle ways of worming- no pun intended- its way into our everyday lives. We just have to take the time to notice.
1 comment:
Good connections made back to the food chain in your area! Also, the appearance of dandelions shows great changes in your area. However, while their appearance increases biodiveristy at first, think about what happens with the competition between this weed and other plants in the area. How could this hurt biodviersity?
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