Slime Mold Research Paper

In our compost chamber one of the most prevalent features throughout the check was the presence of slime mold. Slime mold seeks out decaying materials such as wood and leaves to grow on, so it can take up the nutrients. Slime molds are organisms that reproduce with spores, so the rapid spread everywhere in the chamber was one that closely resembles its characteristics (Poinar 1). Slime mold engulfs fungi which is attracted to decayed material, therefore it is reasonable that the slime mold would thrive (Slime Molds1). In the aquatic chamber, the fish lived in water that was slightly too acidic for it. Betta fish prefer pH's of about 7.0 while ours fluctuated between 6.2 and 6.8 (Supalla 1). This could have been caused by the lack of filtering or the food being wasted going back into the nutrient cycle (Supalla 1). This also happens in nature when and influx of food is not eaten, and it is decomposed. It can be released back into the nutrient cycle and can cause problems like eutrophication or high acidity. In the terrestrial zone the beginning of succession was exemplified. The first step of succession would be exposed rocks which is represented by the gravel at the bottom of the chamber (Friedland and Relyea 168). It is closer to primary succession because of the rocks and the growth of grasses (Friedland and Relyea 168). The trees …show more content…
Precipitation occurs when we poured the water in the top to sprinkle down the chambers (Friedland and Relyea 67). It infiltrates into the soil, and it provides moistures for plants to grow and soil to be fertile (Friedland and Relyea 67). Then it flows and spreads nutrients when it hits the bodies of water (Friedland and Relyea 67). This can change the pH and change the chemical makeup which effects our fish’s happiness. It then evaporates back into the air (Friedland and Relyea 67). This caused our water to be lower in the aquatic chamber, and it caused the plant to stick out of the