Widener University Journal of
Undergraduate
Ecological Research

    The research inquiry journal for the course
         Biology 301, Introduction to Ecology.

         Volume 9, Number 2, Fall 2001

         Dr. Bruce W. Grant, Editor
         Department of Biology,
         Widener University, Chester, PA, 19013.
         office Kirk. 200, 610-499-4017.
         grant@pop1.science.widener.edu


Please Read This Comment.

           The abstracts at this site were written by junior or senior undergraduates and are the culmination of semester long ecological research inquiries that are a core component of my ecology course at Widener University. These students are biology, environmental science, or science education majors and minors.

           These abstracts (and the manuscripts to which they refer) have been peer reviewed by other students in the class according to specific guidelines I have generated for format, clarity, and the student reviewers' assessment of the scientific merit of their peer's manuscript.

           It is important for interested visitors of this site to understand that the results of the research inquiries reported in this journal are the results of course projects designed, conducted, and reviewed by undergraduate students in an ecology course.

           You are welcome to download some or all of the material I have posted at this site for your use in your ecology course. This does not include commercial uses for profit. If you do use any lengthy exerpts (more than 2 lines) of the material above, I request that you formally acknowledge this site and/or sites I have acknowledged as the source(s). I also request that you reciprocate and send me a copy of your ecology materials so that I may see what you have put together.

    Please send comments to me: grant@pop1.science.widener.edu.

    Copyright: Bruce W. Grant, 2001.



Volume 9, Number 2, Biology 301, Fall 2001.

  • Biodiversity of Understory Plants at Widener University and Swarthmore College. Amanda Hargrove and Neetu Vasu.

  • Just a Stone's Throw Away: Diatom Diversity in Ridley Creek Versus Crum Creek Reflects a Hierarchy of Community Organization. Joe Harrick, James Pohronezny and Ma-Le Trieu.

  • Effects of Urbanization on Invertebrates at Widener University and Swarthmore College. Brandon Driscoll and Kelly Knight.

  • Indirect Effects of Water Quality on Infection Rates of Stream Minnows. Nick Caputo and Joe Lafferty.

  • Presence of Fecal Coliform: A study of rapid assessment methods and the effect of urbanization on the Ridley Creek. Deni-Jo Stanisic and Jessica Worrilow.

    • Biodiversity of Understory Plants at Widener University and Swarthmore College. Amanda Hargrove and Neetu Vasu.

    ABSTRACT:
          



    Just a Stone's Throw Away: Diatom Diversity in Ridley Creek Versus Crum Creek Reflects a Hierarchy of Community Organization. Joe Harrick, James Pohronezny and Ma-Le Trieu.

    ABSTRACT:
           Ecologists conduct research to better understand biodiversity, quantify its loss, and develop strategies for conserving and using it. Much is still unknown as to what species exist, where they occur, and the relationships between them. By inventorying and monitoring biodiversity, ecologists study species abundance, functions, interactions, and importance to maintaining or enhancing the quality of human life. Our intentions in understanding biodiversity, which is the range of variation found among microorganisms, plants, fungi, and animals and also the richness of species of living organisms, influenced us to investigate in diatom diversity. Our hypothesis is that rocks closer to each other will be similar in diatom diversity than the rocks that are further apart within a creek and between creeks. With this in mind, we chose two urbanized creeks to compare, Ridley Creek and Crum Creek. Within a creek, we chose three sites laterally and three rocks within each site for a total of 9 rocks scrapings per creek. In the lab, we prepared six slides for each rock scraping, making 108 total slides to be observed. With the help of a microscope camera, diatoms were individually photographed and were compiled into reference sheets. Diatoms were then observed and scored. Statistical tests such as the Shannon Diversity Index, chi squared the Euclidean distance, and the t-test was used to analyze the data. Thus our hypothesis is supported from these tests that rocks closer to each other are closely diverse than rocks that are further away.



    Effects of Urbanization on Invertebrates at Widener University and Swarthmore College. Brandon Driscoll and Kelly Knight.

    ABSTRACT:
          



    Indirect Effects of Water Quality on Infection Rates of Stream Minnows. Nick Caputo and Joe Lafferty.

    ABSTRACT:
          



    Presence of Fecal Coliform: A study of rapid assessment methods and the effect of urbanization on the Ridley Creek. Deni-Jo Stanisic and Jessica Worrilow.

    ABSTRACT:
          



    Copyright: Bruce W. Grant, 2001.