Invasive species report
INVASIVE SPECIES – WEEKS 5, 11, 13 AND 14 When studying how humans negatively impact biodiversity, an acronym is often used as a reference: HIPPCO. This acronym stands for Habitat Invasive loss, species, (human) Population, Pollution, Climate change and Overexploitation. During this week’s lab we will explore the second impact mentioned above: invasive species. The introduction of non-native The invasive species black mustard (Brassica nigra) along a hiking trail at Will Rogers State Park. species may cause significant harm to native ones. It is important to remember, however, that not all nonnative or exotic species are invasive, but that all invasive species are non-native. Non-native species Invasive species There are many ways in which to define “harm”, but they are mostly related to the capacity of a non-native species to outcompete or overhunt native ones. Their harmful features are reinforced with some additional advantages: they lack their native predators and competitors. Invasive species are known to spread quickly and thrive in their new territory. These species can often be divided into three categories: pathogens, predators or competitors. They ultimately disrupt the finely balanced interactions of the native community, many times leading native species to local (co)extinction. Southern California has not escaped the presence of invasive species. Our biodiverse region is also rich with endemic species, or species that are found nowhere else in the world. This makes such region an ecologically irreplaceable one, meaning that the presence of invasive species poses an even greater danger. One massively common invasive plant species is the black mustard (Brassica nigra). According to the California Invasive Plant Council, black mustard grows abundantly and produces allelopathic chemicals, which are substances that prevent the germination of native plants. The This lab was designed by SMC independent study student Joy Sadeghpour, lab technician Gonzalo Cabrera and instructor Poliana Raymer. Last updated Spring 2023. 1 allelopathic feature is typical of its genus, Brassica. The spread of black mustard can also increase the frequency of fires in chaparral and coastal sage scrub, changing these habitats to annual grassland. The black mustard is not only an invasive species to our region, but can be found in nearly all states of the United States. It can grow up to six feet tall, with bright yellow flowers blooming from March through June. For this particular lab, we will be looking at the effects of this Zoya Akulova invasive species on an endemic species from California: the state’s flower, California Jorg and Mimi Fleige poppy (Eschscholzia californica). Do keep in mind that the California poppy is native to our desert biome and is not influenced by the black mustard in its natural habitat. We have, however, chosen the poppy to represent a California native/endemic species because it is easily cultivated and managed – as is the genus Brassica. This helps us focus on the main goal of the lab, which is the competitive effect of an invasive species. This lab is separated into four different parts. This separation allows the plants to germinate, grow, then dry (following harvest). The last part of this lab will be our data analysis. IMPORTANT: Save 4-5 pages of your notebook such that all parts of the lab are kept together. PROCEDURE Before we begin, consider the following research questions: a. Does mustard significantly influence the germination success of California poppies? b. Does mustard significantly influence the biomass (growth) of California poppies? Write down a hypothesis for each question. Remember to justify each hypothesis. This lab was designed by SMC independent study student Joy Sadeghpour, lab technician Gonzalo Cabrera and instructor Poliana Raymer. Last updated Spring 2023. 2 PART A (1 of 4) The first part of this lab consists of planting the seeds. We will be using California poppy seeds as the representative of a California native species. For invasive, we will be using brown mustard seeds, or Brassica juncea. This species of mustard is much more readily available for research and contains the same allelopathic feature as black mustard. We will be working on this first step in our campus’ greenhouse, located next to the Sustainability Center on Pearl Street. • Pot 1 should contain 4 poppy seeds • Pot 2 should contain 4 mustard seeds • Pot 3 should contain 2 poppy seeds and 2 mustard seeds • Label all pots • Each group should have 6 replicates (18 pots total per group) A lab technician will be responsible for watering our seeds every day for the next few weeks. PART B (2 of 4) After two weeks, we will be going back to the greenhouse. The goal of this procedure is to check if the mustard seeds interfered with the germination of the poppy seeds. To calculate germination success, follow the steps below and replicate the table that follows. Use such table to write down your numbers. 1. ___ out of 4 germinated in the all-poppy pot 1. 2. Calculate percentage. Ex. (3/4) x 100% = 75% germination in pot 1. 3. Repeat the calculation for all 6 replications of all-poppy pots. 4. Average percentage for all 6 replications of all-poppy pots (sum of percentages divided by 6). 5. Repeat steps 1-4 for all-mustard pots. 6. When repeating steps for mixed-species pots, remember that germination success should be counted out of 2, not 4 seeds. 7. Before leaving the greenhouse, report your group’s numbers to your instructor. The instructor will collect the class data and will project it back in the lab. You will be going over a simple statistical analysis as a class so that you can answer the following question: o Was there a difference in germination success between poppy seeds growing on their own (“allpoppy pots”) versus those growing with mustard (“mixed-species pots”)? 8. Look back at your first hypothesis. Is it supported by these results? Write a paragraph comparing your hypothesis to the results. Present the results by using statistical terms (this will be explained in lab) and interpret your findings. This lab was designed by SMC independent study student Joy Sadeghpour, lab technician Gonzalo Cabrera and instructor Poliana Raymer. Last updated Spring 2023. 3 ALL-POPPY POTS Replicate 1 How many seeds germinated out of 4? Percentage Replicate 2 Replicate 3 Replicate 4 Replicate 5 Replicate 6 TOTAL ALL-POPPY AVERAGE ALL-POPPY ALL-MUSTARD POTS Replicate 1 How many germinated out of 4 seeds Percentage How many mustard seeds germinated out of 2 Percentage poppy Replicate 2 Replicate 3 Replicate 4 Replicate 5 Replicate 6 TOTAL ALL-MUSTARD AVERAGE ALL-MUSTARD MIXED-SPECIES POTS How many poppy seeds germinated out of 2 Replicate 1 Percentage mustard Replicate 2 Replicate 3 Replicate 4 Replicate 5 Replicate 6 TOTAL AVERAGE This lab was designed by SMC independent study student Joy Sadeghpour, lab technician Gonzalo Cabrera and instructor Poliana Raymer. Last updated Spring 2023. 4 PART C (3 of 4) Two weeks following our germination count, we will remove our plants from the soil. This time, we will check if interspecific competition (or competition between species) may have influenced aboveground and belowground plant biomass (plant growth). 1. Gently remove the plants from the all-poppy pots, including roots. Sift the soil to make sure that no roots were snapped off during the removal of the plant. 2. Gently wash these plants to remove the soil and tap them dry with a paper towel. (Compost paper towel.) 3. Count how many plants you have and place them in a paper bag. On the paper bag, write down: a. “All-Poppy” b. Number of plants c. Date planted d. Date harvested e. Group leader or group name (some way in which your group can identify your bags) 4. Repeat steps 1-3 for “All-Mustard”. 5. For “Mixed Species” Pots, repeat steps 1-3, but: a. Place each species in a different bag (poppies go in one bag, mustards go in another bag) b. Label “Mixed Species – Poppy” and “Mixed Species – Mustard” accordingly, with the corresponding number of plants for each species. 6. These bags will be placed in a drying oven at 55oC. Removing all the accumulated water is important so that it does not influence the true (dry) weight of the plant biomass. PART D (4 of 4) During our following lab, we will retrieve our paper bags from the drying oven. You will, then, weigh the content of each paper bag. In your notebooks, copy and fill out the table below: ALL-POPPY ALL-MUSTARD MIXED – POPPY Total weight Weight per plant* *Divide the total weight by the number of plants in the bag. MIXED MUSTARD – Your instructor will have a table projected on the board. Each group should provide their data such that the table will contain data from the entire class. We will run a simple statistical test to help us answer the following question: o Did interspecific competition influence the biomass of poppies? Look back at your second hypothesis. Is it supported by these results? Write a paragraph comparing your hypothesis to the results. Present the results by using statistical terms and interpret your findings. To conclude this lab, write down a conclusive statement summarizing your findings in one or two sentences. Specifically, revisit and summarize your answer regarding germination rate and your answers for biomass. This will be your “take-home message”. This lab was designed by SMC independent study student Joy Sadeghpour, lab technician Gonzalo Cabrera and instructor Poliana Raymer. Last updated Spring 2023. 5
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