Populations Lab Report
Instructions: The Virtual Populations Lab is on the lesson assessment page. Gather data to
evaluate Sebastian’s Snorkel Spot’s claim that a new factory is polluting the coral reef. Follow
the instructions as you move through the lab and record your data and observations in the lab
report.
Title:
04.03 Ecosystems
Objective(s):
examine the effects of pollution on both coral and a native marine species on the coral reef.
explain how pollution influences the population of coral and a native marine species on the
coral reef.
explain how pollution affects the age structure of a species on the coral reef.
explain how limiting factors affect the carrying capacity of each species.
Hypothesis:
If pollution levels increase, then the health of the coral reef will decrease.
Variables:
Independent variable: The additional pollution and runoff from the factory
Dependent Variable: The coral reef and the fish population
Constant Variable: The camera
Procedure
During the research phase, you found that the factory is not using nutrient-removal treatment on
the water it releases. Excess nutrients in the water encourage algae growth, which can smother
coral. To monitor the water quality and health of the coral reef, you will collect data on five
factors: water clarity, dissolved oxygen levels, percentage of live coral coverage, number of
juvenile parrot fish observed, and number of mature parrotfish observed.
Data:
Record your data from the virtual lab in the data table.
Week Water Dissolved Percentage of Number of Number of
Clarity (m) Oxygen Level Live Coral Juvenile Mature
(mg/L) Coverage (%) Parrotfish Parrotfish
0 6 14 35 8 12
1 4 12 30 7 12
2 3 10 25 7 11
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3 3 9 25 5 11
4 2 9 20 4 9
Data Analysis:
Select one abiotic factor that was monitored, either water clarity or dissolved oxygen level, and
create a line graph showing the measurement of the abiotic factor over time. Then select one
biotic factor that was monitored, either coral coverage, juvenile parrotfish, or mature parrotfish,
and create a line graph showing the measurement of the biotic factor over time.
Data Analysis Sebastian's Snorkel Spot
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
0 1 2 3 4
water clarity (m) percentage of live coral coverage (%)
Conclusion:
Based on the data there is a downward trend for everything in the reef as the pollution increases
over the weeks. The first graph is an overall look at the data analysis, and the second graph is a
wider look at the data for water clarity and percentage of live coral coverage. Water clarity and
the percentage of live coral coverage are related to each other because without clear water the
coral reefs can't survive. Came to my hypothesis because its proven that over time pollution hurts
living organisms.
Questions:
Using what you have learned in the lesson and the virtual lab activity, answer the following
questions in complete sentences.
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1. Identify the abiotic and biotic factors in this lab. The abiotic factors are what clarity and
dissolved oxygen level. The biotic factors are. Coral coverage juvenile parrotfish and
mature parrotfish.
2. Describe the symbiotic relationship between each of the organisms. The coral depends on
the fish, the fish depend on the coral and both the coral, and the fish depend on water
clarity.
3. Explain how the limiting factors affect carrying capacity in each population.
The limiting factors of water clarity and oxygen level affect the carrying capacity of the
coral reef.
Unless Otherwise Noted All Content © 2021 Florida Virtual School
