| Experimental Design |
Experimental Design Questions (Separate from the rest of the Experimental Design, which will be uploaded later and be updated here later as well) ...
What is our plan?
Our plan is to research and observe the effects of ant habitation towards the health of trees.
Be sure to include enough detail that another group can replicate our experiment.
What variables will we test?
Amount of ants, tree diameter, tree appearance, such as color, and the amount of indicators of bad tree health, such as cankers and sprouts.
What variables will we keep constant?
The variables that should be kept constant are time of day we record the data, and the temperature of day should be relatively consistent. Also the average amount of ants should be constant.
How will we record our data?
Use senses, like sight and touch, as well as other tools from the materials list. .... (Actual Transcript of our Experimental Design Rough Draft) ----
Abstract
n/a
Purpose
Observing the relationship between ants and tree health.
Hypothesis
As ants are introduced into the environment, they will harm the tree's health, and where there are no ants, the health of the tree is preserved and not negatively influenced.
Materials
Measuring tape/ ruler and string
Calculator
Trees
Ants (in general)
Magnifying Glass
Camera
Gloves
Marker
Cutting Tool (Optional)
Ant bait (Sugar Water Solution)
Tap Water
Regular/Granulated Sugar
Spray Bottle
Procedure
Sugar Water Solution
Get tap water and regular sugar, as well as a container to mix the solution in and a spray bottle to pour the final product of the solution into.
Prepare and measure a 25% sugar-water solution in 30 oz of water.
Calculation:
30 oz Water * (25 oz Sugar/ 100 oz Water) = 7.5 oz Sugar BTV 30 oz of Water
Transfer the solution into a spray bottle so it’s ready for action.
Tree Observations
Find 6 similar trees, making an experimental group containing 3 trees and a control group containing another 3 trees.
Mark those trees “Experimental” and “Control” respectively.
Record the presence of ants on the tree. For all trees, collect information from the diameter of the tree, the color of the leaves, any signs of tree diseases (Sprouts, Cankers, ect.), and stem’s overall physical appearance for a baseline.
In the experimental group, use the spray bottle filled with sugar water and spray sections of the tree that are higher up. Meaning, the leaves, the main stem of the tree, and 2-3 branches.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 every day, for one week.
Resources
Ants and Trees
https://blog.davey.com/2017/07/how-to-get-rid-of-ants-near-your-trees/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091107115833.htm#:~:text=To%20protect%20their%20homes%2C%20the,is%20a%20classic%20biological%20mutualism.
https://www.americanforests.org/magazine/article/ants-and-trees-a-lifelong-relationship/
Insect vs. Tree Health
https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/fhm/pubs/tp/dist_cond/insect_disease.pdf
http://www.fao.org/3/y5041e/y5041e07.htm |