Ecological Inquiry #1

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Indiana University, Bloomington *

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Biology

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Apr 3, 2024

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Goff 1 Hayleigh Goff February 4, 2024 BIOL-L473 Ecological Inquiry #1 Part A: Making observations and asking questions I had planned a weekend trip to Port Saint Joe, FL, with my parents, and thought this would be the perfect opportunity for the Ecological Inquiry. Below is a photograph to help capture my observations/surroundings. I had never been to Florida during the month of February, so I was surprised at how many fish were still close to shore. The ocean water was getting slightly rougher, as the wind was picking up for the Gale Warning coming in soon. There were large rocks leading down to the ocean with small pebbles, some greenery, and sand mixed in. The sand was fairly dry with a cool touch. There were a few boats that passed in the water during my hour time frame. I also found some seaweed floating up to the shore, along with plenty of smaller shells - (a lot of which were broken). Some other noticeable things about the water were the levels and clarity. The water levels seemed to have risen, and clarity was down. Even though Florida is one of the warmer climates, I noticed less birds. The sunlight seemed to fluctuate before going down. It was very sunny for a while, then became cloudy, and back to sunny before setting. 10 Ecological Questions with classifications- 1. I noticed fish still close to shore, but more of larger fish than in the summer. Do fish migrate further away during the warmer months to reach deeper, cooler water temperatures, and come closer to shore in cooler months to get warmer? (Functional) 2. I noticed the wind picking up, and causing a current within the ocean waters. Although there is a storm coming into the area, does wind regularly benefit the ocean? (Relational) 3. I noticed there was some greenery growing in between the larger rocks, but not in the spaces with just sand. Is this because there has previously been soil in the area with the larger rocks, and been converted into a sandy area? (Evolutionary) 4. I noticed while touching the sand it felt both dry and cold. February is considered a dry month in Florida, and had not previously rained; why did the sand feel cold? Is this due to the fact that sand heats up and cools down quickly, and it was later in the day? (Functional)

Goff 2 5. I noticed numerous boats pass while observing Port Saint Joe. Do boats do more damage than good to the ocean? (Informational) 6. I noticed a lot of seashells along the beach - (most were broken, if not all). A majority of the shells are broken from the power of the waves, however, if these shells were not broken, then would there be hardly any sand to see? Or would they also become bits of the sand due to human activities? (Evolutionary) 7. I noticed the water levels of the ocean seemed to have risen since the last time I had visited. Does the ice melting throughout the ocean have the largest effect on Florida waters or is it the fact that the state sits on limestone? (Informational) 8. Another noticeable difference in the ocean was the clarity. Obviously there are hundreds of things that can affect the cleanliness of the ocean, but are environmental factors the biggest issue or humans? (Informational) 9. Florida is one of the warmer climates in the United States, which would make you think there would be more birds there that came from the North, however I noticed less. Have the temperatures caused them to migrate somewhere else or is it due to other environmental issues? (Evolutionary) 10. The sun fluctuated in and out of the clouds consistently. The sun is further away than the clouds, however significantly larger. One would think the light rays would come down at a parallel, but seem to come from a point behind the clouds. Is this due to perspective, and actually comes down in a parallel? (Functional) Part B: Developing hypotheses Question 1 - Do fish migrate further away during the warmer months to reach deeper, cooler water temperatures, and come closer to shore in cooler months to get warmer? (Functional) ● Alternative hypothesis 1 - Although deeper waters maintain a more constant temperature, during a cold spell fish will move into more shallow waters during the day because it is easier to warm. ○ Null - There could have been large predators that pushed them towards the shore. ● Alternative hypothesis 2 - The storm coming into Port Saint Joe could have had an impact on the amount of fish in the area. ○ Null - The storm had no impact on the amount of fish near the shore. ● Alternative hypothesis 3 - The larger fish came closer to the shore to hunt for food (smaller fish). ○ Null - Fish are less active in cooler temperatures, and can survive longer with a reduced amount of food. Question 2 - Although there is a storm coming into the area, does wind regularly benefit the ocean? (Relational) ● Alternative hypothesis 1 - The wind increases ocean noises, which could potentially affect the behaviors of fish, whales, and other species to help find mates or a food source. ○ Null - The wind creates underwater pollution through vibrations that disturb the mammals that rely on sound - (alters communication, feeding, reproducing, etc). ● Alternative hypothesis 2 - The wind and weather patterns create tides to control the depth and flow of the water to help ships navigate more easily toward the shore. ○ Null - Wind creates tides that move water away from the coastlines, low tide exposures.

Goff 3 ● Alternative hypothesis 3 - The wind can transport particles in bodies of water, which provides nutrients. ○ Null - The wind can deposit pollutants into the water. Question 9 - Have the temperatures caused birds to migrate somewhere else or is it due to other environmental issues? (Evolutionary) ● Alternative hypothesis 1 - Birds are not as present in Florida anymore due to human development. ○ Null - Human development did not fragment the bird's habitat. ● Alternative hypothesis 2 - There are more predators in the South. ○ Null - More predators also means more food sources for the birds themselves. ● Alternative hypothesis 3 - Florida birds are more at risk due to climate change. ○ Null - Unless the actual habitat was destroyed, the birds would not have left.

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