The Effect of Invasive Species in our Region
For this project I chose to research the effect of zebra mussels in the U.S. and how they are a potential threat to the four corners region. Zebra mussels, native to Caspian Sea in Asia, are small fingernail length mussels that get their name because of the striped patterns along the shell. Zebra mussels are invading freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and major rivers throughout the United States. Zebra Mussels upset native ecosystems, damage man made structures, and cause serious problems. Recent reports have shown that mussels are in Lake Mead in southern Arizona. If Lake Mead gets totally affected by the mussels the next big target is Lake Powell. How zebra mussels spread is by attaching to hard surfaces like boats. Once on the boats people commute from lake to lake spreading the mussels everywhere.
The strongest part of my management plan is to prevent the spread of zebra mussels to the four corners region and further enforce by law the clean, drain, dry method. The clean, drain, dry method is a method people use when leaving or commuting from lakes and major rivers. They first spray down their boats checking for aquatic organisms, then drain all parts of the boat; this includes parts like the motor. Once everything is drained, let the boat completely dry. The mussels can’t survive without water so if there is any still on the boat they eventually die. This method is currently not enforced by law but highly promoted by the U.S. Wildlife Division. So my plan is to enforce this method by law and install a series of checkpoints around Lake Mead, and Lake Powell. In the future if the zebra mussels do in fact completely take over Lake Mead and start infect Lake Powell, then more checkpoints will be installed around Navajo Lake. The clean, drain, dry method is proved to be very effective and hopefully further stop the spread of zebra mussels.
Through this project I learned mostly how to deal with stress. I choose a topic that I really didn’t know much about. This required a great deal of research, and allot of outside help. One of the hardest things that was involved with this topic was interpreting scientific writing. It was literally like reading in a different language. Colleen helped me greatly with reading part. Another thing I learned is in ecology, the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more stable it is. And when you don’t have a stable ecosystem, economically those people relying a certain species for food or income will fall down with nothing. It goes to show how important ecology is. When I saw the importance of ecology, the research I did on invasive species struck me how bad they are. I will never look at zebra mussels the same again. They are annoying, catastrophic, little creatures that destroy everything in their path. But the horrible thing is there is no current way to eradicate them. This project really taught me to be to as all ways work hard, and manage my time wisely.
The strongest part of my management plan is to prevent the spread of zebra mussels to the four corners region and further enforce by law the clean, drain, dry method. The clean, drain, dry method is a method people use when leaving or commuting from lakes and major rivers. They first spray down their boats checking for aquatic organisms, then drain all parts of the boat; this includes parts like the motor. Once everything is drained, let the boat completely dry. The mussels can’t survive without water so if there is any still on the boat they eventually die. This method is currently not enforced by law but highly promoted by the U.S. Wildlife Division. So my plan is to enforce this method by law and install a series of checkpoints around Lake Mead, and Lake Powell. In the future if the zebra mussels do in fact completely take over Lake Mead and start infect Lake Powell, then more checkpoints will be installed around Navajo Lake. The clean, drain, dry method is proved to be very effective and hopefully further stop the spread of zebra mussels.
Through this project I learned mostly how to deal with stress. I choose a topic that I really didn’t know much about. This required a great deal of research, and allot of outside help. One of the hardest things that was involved with this topic was interpreting scientific writing. It was literally like reading in a different language. Colleen helped me greatly with reading part. Another thing I learned is in ecology, the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more stable it is. And when you don’t have a stable ecosystem, economically those people relying a certain species for food or income will fall down with nothing. It goes to show how important ecology is. When I saw the importance of ecology, the research I did on invasive species struck me how bad they are. I will never look at zebra mussels the same again. They are annoying, catastrophic, little creatures that destroy everything in their path. But the horrible thing is there is no current way to eradicate them. This project really taught me to be to as all ways work hard, and manage my time wisely.
DNS Paper
Management Plan
Dissection Project
For This project we had a choice to dissect a pig, cat, or shark. Emily Wieser and I originally were going to dissect a pig but due to my body healing from my kidney disease I chose not to do the dissection.
This was no easy task. Emily and I had the challenge of independently researching all the functions and locations of various body parts without a specimen to reference. Everyone else had Colleen hovering over their shoulder to give them tips and information but Emily and I only had the Internet.
Through this project I feel I have learned to be more independent with my learning. I have learned new skills to help me research new knowledge. This project was one of the more challenging ones because we were set free and expected to learn the content on our own. I feel more confident to take on the future challenges next year in chemistry and my other subject because of this project. I am glad to of had the opportunity to learn as mush I did.
This was no easy task. Emily and I had the challenge of independently researching all the functions and locations of various body parts without a specimen to reference. Everyone else had Colleen hovering over their shoulder to give them tips and information but Emily and I only had the Internet.
Through this project I feel I have learned to be more independent with my learning. I have learned new skills to help me research new knowledge. This project was one of the more challenging ones because we were set free and expected to learn the content on our own. I feel more confident to take on the future challenges next year in chemistry and my other subject because of this project. I am glad to of had the opportunity to learn as mush I did.
CSI project
The CSI project teaches us the importance of DNA in crime investigation. In the CSI project Risa Ontiveros and I were partners in investigating a 44-year-old male named Aaron Lee who was shot in the head at 1:30am in Durango Colorado. The crime scene appeared to be a suicide but it turned out Michelle Lee, who is Aaron’s wife committed the murder. Involved in this we had to collect evidence, analyze fingerprints, and compare blood typing. Through these things we were able to figure out what really happened during the crime and bring justice to the right suspect. In this project it has taught me a lot about how complicated and scientific crime investigation is. I am very glad to have had the opportunity to see what it is like.
The most positive part of this project was not having homework. Outside of Biology the workload was outrageous. Plus having my Kidney ordeal and trying to learn was very challenging.
And the most negative part of this project was that since this was Colleen’s first time teaching this project it was not well organized, which made it confusing. But as time goes on and Colleen figures out a system it will become a very exciting and clear project.
If I were to do this project again I would be a little more organized with all the packets and evidence logs. Like I said before, the medication I am taking causes me to be very wacky and I tend to loose things. So I would make more of an effort to keep all our stuff in one location so we don’t misplace things.
The most positive part of this project was not having homework. Outside of Biology the workload was outrageous. Plus having my Kidney ordeal and trying to learn was very challenging.
And the most negative part of this project was that since this was Colleen’s first time teaching this project it was not well organized, which made it confusing. But as time goes on and Colleen figures out a system it will become a very exciting and clear project.
If I were to do this project again I would be a little more organized with all the packets and evidence logs. Like I said before, the medication I am taking causes me to be very wacky and I tend to loose things. So I would make more of an effort to keep all our stuff in one location so we don’t misplace things.
