October 28, 2013

Our ecosystem looks like it is starting to die on the top, but still thriving on the bottom. The leaves at the top are more yellow than green. We noticed that our string has disintegrated and is floating at the bottom. Since it is harder to get water to the top of the ecosystem, it is making it harder to get the nutrients from the bottom of the ecosystem. Some are still green and leaves are still growing. On the bottom of our ecosystem life can be seen by the thriving Elodea. Some snails have died, but there are signs of new baby snails. There are also roots starting to stick out heavily on both parts of the ecosystem. One thing that was strange was that there were black particles floating at the top. Since the rope is no longer reaching the bottom of the ecosystem, our group thinks that the top part will soon die off very soon. While the bottom will still be thriving. 

October 14, 2013

After this observation it seems that the top half of our eco-system is slowly dying, while the bottom half still seems to be growing. The soil is still wet which allows new leaves to grow, but they are not as big as the ones from the first days of observations. The old leaves are browning and dying leaving no room for the new leaves to grow, which is why they are growing towards the middle of the stem. It was interesting to see the roots growing from the middle of the stem. We are not too sure why this is happening, but we are thinking it is looking for more nutrients. Both the plant and elodea roots are going down to the bottom anchoring the roots into the gravel. In the bottom half of the bottle we see more growth in the elodea, clear water, and the baby snails still seem to be alive. This shows that this section is still thriving and has more nutrients. Finally, since there is still condensation at the top and water level still seem to be consistent, showing the water cycle is still taking place.

October 7, 2013

-particles in the water
-leaves are browning/withering
-some new leaves forming further down
-can only see 2 snails
-roots extending into water, roots are white
-Elodea is healthy and growing
-heavy condensation
-water is leaking
-Soil still damp
-beans which had fallen are completely disintegrated

September 30, 2013

- Water is not as clear lots of particles floating
- Elodia has grown and looks healthy
- Roots are extending even further into the water
- 1 big snail
- 3 baby snails
- 10 leaves
- Older leaves are turning yellow
- Fallen beans are now decomposing
- No new beans growing
- More condensation
- Soil damp
- Daphia still can not be seen

September 23, 2013

- Water is clear with particles
- 4 baby snails
- Only 2 seeds sprouted
- 5 leaves
- 4 beans produced and had fallen off
- New Elodea sprouted
- Soil is damp
- Still can not see Daphia
- Roots from plant extend down into water
- Can see roots in soil

Day 2

September 16, 2013

- Water is clear for the most part, some particles floating

- Snail is alive and attached

- Snail has reproduced asexually (one baby snail on Elodea found!)

- Only 2 seeds had sprouted to about 20cm and 18cm tall

- No bubbles on Elodea

- Can not see any Daphia

- Soil is very damp

- Condensation is heavy on side NOT facing the window

Day 1

September 9, 2013

-Clear Water

-No condensation

-Soil is damp with 3 lima beans planted within

-Elodea is 19 cm long and healthy

-20 Daphnia swimming around

-Snail is attached to the wall