Keron Persaud - Plant Competition Lab

Keron Persaud Christopher Finck ENV 1004 20 May 2023 Plant Competition Lab Questions Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Treatment Group B Dry Weight W Dry Weight B Dry Weight W Dry Weight B Dry Weight W Dry Weight B Dry Weight W Dry Weight B Dry Weight W Dry Weight 0% B 100% W 0 0.005 0 0.006 0 0.207 0 0 0 0 20% B 80% W 0.668 0 0.76 0.275 0.215 0.193 0 0 0.912 0 40% B 60% W 0 0 0.358 0.151 0.843 0.07 0.567 0 0.768 0 60% B 40% W 0.502 0 1.14 0.069 1.251 0.105 0.577 0 0.61 0 80% B 20% W 0 0 1.816 0.11 1.222 0 0.098 0 0.947 0 100% B 0% W 1.26 0 1.504 0 1.221 0 0.541 0 3.049 0 1. State the null and alternative hypothesis of this experiment. Null Hypothesis: In a replacement series experiment, inter- and intraspecific competition have equivalent effects on plant yield. The total combined yield of plants in polycultures is equivalent to the yield of each plant species grown separately. Alternative Hypothesis: In a replacement series experiment, inter- and intraspecific competition have different effects on plant yield. The total combined yield of plants in polycultures is either less than or greater than the yield of each plant species grown separately, indicating the presence of high or low interspecific competition. This suggests that niche partitioning or facilitation occurs, allowing species to differentiate their niches and coexist. 2. Compare the dry weights of mung bean plant of varying percentages. Is interspecific competition stronger or weaker than intraspecific competition? After comparing the dry weights of mung bean plant of varying percentages, interspecific competition is weaker than intraspecific competition because as the percentage of mung bean plant diversity increases this causes the weight of the mung bean plant to increase. Intraspecific competition refers to competition among individuals of the same species. In this case, as the percentage of mung bean plants increases and the weight of mung beans increases while wheat beans decrease, it suggests that the mung bean plants are competing with each other for resources such as nutrients, light, or space within the same treatment group. Members of the same species may be better adapted to their environment and therefore be able to outcompete members of

other species. The competition within the mung bean species leads to an increase in their weight as there are fewer wheat beans competing for limited resources. 3. Compare the dry weights of wheat plant of varying percentages. Is interspecific competition stronger or weaker than intraspecific competition? After comparing the dry weights of wheat plant of varying percentages, interspecific competition is stronger than intraspecific competition because as the proportion of wheat beans decreases and the weight of mung beans increases, it suggests that the mung bean plants are benefiting from reduced competition with the wheat beans for resources. The mung beans are outcompeting the wheat beans for resources such as nutrients, light, or space, resulting in higher mung bean weights. We see that there is an increase in competition between the different species indicating that as there is more wheat beans the competition tends to somewhat decrease however, there is still competition between the available resources indicating more interspecific competition rather than intraspecific competition. As we look at the chart above the weight tends to fluctuate more so towards wheat beans, as there is less of a percentage of mung beans as there is limited number of resources that each species is fighting for between each other instead of within the same group. 4. Is there niche overlap or niche partitioning between mung bean and wheat plants? How can you tell from the de Wit diagram? Based on the de Wit diagram and the class data there is niche partitioning between mung bean and wheat plants. I can tell from the de Wit diagram because when we graphed the class data using the class means the de Wit diagram show parallel trends or consistently increase or decreasing as the proportion of mung beans or wheat plants varies, it suggests niche partitioning. Niche partitioning occurs when species differentiate their resource use or occupy slightly different ecological niches to minimize competition. In this case, the mung beans and wheat plants are likely utilizing different resources and reducing direct competition, leading to a difference in yields for both species. Based on the diagram as the percentages of both plants continue to increase and decrease, we see an overall increase in mung beans weight, and a general decrease in wheat beans weight, portraying the use of different resources indicating niche partitioning.