Quinci's+Journal

__**1) Free-Journal Portion**__ When Lindsey, Erin, Jaron, Travis, and I made our first visit to Aiea Stream we saw many different kinds of animal and plant life. The animals and insects that exist in the stream are crayfish, guppies, tadpoles, mosquito & their larvae, and ducks. The animals and insects that exist near and around the stream are bullfrogs, toads, mongoose, wild boar, a chicken, pigeons, gray doves, mynah birds, honeybees, and bumble bees. Of those animals, the mongoose and wild boar are the least visible because they only come out when no one is near the stream. Also, the toads and bullfrogs are nocturnal, and the bullfrogs make the annoying honking noises when the neighborhood is trying to sleep. The plants that exist in and near the stream are all alien species(California grass and MANY other types of weeds, bushes, and trees), except for the taro. However, there is only one small bunch of taro, and all other plant life is alien.

Significant abiotic factors are the temperature, and rainfall. It’s usually about 80º F and very sunny. The flow of the river is very small most of the year, and only rises when rain falls. A couple years ago when there was 40 days of rain, the stream practically turned into a huge river, and homeowners that lived near the banks worried a little bit about the rising water levels.

Aiea stream would be a great place for my group to study because it isn’t influenced by humans too much because no one really goes down there, and there is a lot of “untouched” and diverse plant and animal life. Another reason is that Travis and I live seconds away from it, Lindsey lives not that much farther, and Jaron and Erin live a couple miles away. So, if we ever needed to check up on anything, it would be extremely easy.

__**2) Assigned Journal Entry**__ Niche of the Crayfish: An abiotic factor of the crayfishes’ niche is the murky streamwater. Another abiotic factor is the rocks in the stream. They spend most of their time hidden underneath and between the rocks to hide from predators(various birds) and to easily catch prey by sneak-attacking them. A biotic factor of the crayfishes’ niche are the guppies that they consume. Other biotic factors of the crayfishes’ niche are the aquatic plants that they also hide/live in and the birds that eat them.

Niche of the wild boar: An abiotic factor of the wild boar’s niche is the stream and rainwater that they rely on to survive. Another abiotic factor is the temperature and humidity of the streambed. Biotic factors of the wild boar’s niche are the grass, weeds, roots, and insects that they consume.

Niche of the tadpoles/toads: Abiotic factors of the tadpoles/toads are the streamwater and rainfall, rocks, pebbles, and fallen branches that they live on. Biotic factors are the insects that they consume.

Niche of the ducks: An abiotic factor of the ducks is the stream. Biotic factors of the ducks are the insects and plants that they eat and the people that feed them bread.