Rationale:

In today’s lab, the goal of the class was to develop a scientific question and narrow our research field to have a method of collecting data samples. In addition to this, our own individual lab groups determined what data we would be testing and went out to our decided areas to gather soil sample.

Procedure:

1. Today’s lab began with analyzing the results of the plaque assays that were performed the week prior. Unfortunately, there was no phage present in the plaque assay, confirming the negative presence of phage. The data and results were recorded and the plaques were disposed of.

Plaque Assay 9/30/18

1.  After analyzing the data, we continued with a class discussion regarding the class scientific question. Several ideas were put out into the class with the general focus being around comparing the presence of Arthrobacter-phage between tree species or comparing the phage presence between native and transplanted trees.
2. Our individual lab group decided to test the trees around the area in North Village due to the fire it experienced a few months prior (microorganisms have an increased presence in soil following fires), so the group walked there after the discussion ended and split the search for red and white oaks.
3. My group was responsible for finding a white oak, which initially was very difficult as the North Village area is predominantly Red Oak and Live Oak, but thankfully we managed to find a Burr Oak in a garden area.
4. The tree was surrounded by landscaping rocks and mulch, so the group had to remove the rocks and dig past the mulch to get to the soil underneath it.
5. While my partners dug and collected soil, I collected the metadata for the tree. First, I examined the condition of the tree and took pictures to help determine the health of the tree. After, I measured the width of the trunk 137 centimeters up the trunk, and then measured the average canopy width of the tree.
6. Once this was completed, the group and I used our shadows and the shadow of the tree to set up a proportion to solve for the approximate height of the tree. Once this was done, we gathered 3 leaf samples and left to turn in our soil samples.

Observations/Data/Conclusions:

• Tree was surrounded by other plants that could be potential competitors for nutrients. Tree bark looked healthy, but the leaves showed spotting and slight discoloration across the tree.
• Soil was incredibly wet and dark, almost like clay. Very east to mold and collect.
• No nearby water source was found, but something must be contributing to the soil moisture contents.
• Tree Width: 61 cm
• Average Canopy Length: 225.5 cm
  

  Burr Oak 9/5/18

  

  Soil 9/5/18

  

  Burr Oak Leaves 9/5/18

  Next Steps:

• The next steps are to clean and enrich the collected soil sample to test its presence for phage.