Cole+C's+Journal+(130)+4

During my final visit to my eco-place, Kawainui Marsh, I have taken my last focused observations on the animal like in my habitat and have conducted an experiment there as well. For my last focused observations I have decided to observe the different fish that reside in the ponds around my eco-place.
 * __Free Journal__**

The fish I observed were small, brown, non-edible fish that would travel together in small pods. I also noticed that the fish in the pods were of similar size, the bigger fish in one pod and the smaller fish in another. These fish would remain fairly close to the banks of the pond where the water was shallower, warmer, and more transparent than near the center of the pond. This might be because it is safer and more protected from the larger fish that do swim towards the center of the pond, or possibly because it is easier for the fish to see their pray through the water.

This leads me to my experiment. My hypothesis was; if the water is clearer then there will be more fish in that area. The way I tested in was by counting the amount of fish in an area where the water is more transparent and then counting the amount of fish in an area where the water is less transparent. My results were approximately 3 to 1. For every three fish in the more transparent area there will be one in the less transparent area.

The information I have gathered by doing this experiment obviously proves that if the water is clearer than there will be more fish in the area. I think this might be because in the clearer areas of the pond it would be easier to hunt because you would be able to see your pray clearly. The fish might reside in this area of the pond because it is shallower and they need warmer water to have babies. Or perhaps they stay here because their predators can’t swim in such shallow water so they won’t be eaten. These are only a few of the many reasons why the fish might stay in this area of the pond.

It has been very interesting observing and writing about my eco-place. I have learned many new things about the different plants animals that inhabit my eco-place, and the habitats that they live in. I have had a great time telling you more about Kawainui Marsh and the many species that live there and I look forward to doing something like this again in the future.



This is a diagram showing the carbon cycle in my eco-place.
 * __Assigned Journal__**