biology 11 blog

1. How was the bog formed? A bog is an ecosystem where plants are adapted to an acid environment, low nutrients, high water table, and little oxygen in the water. The bog is formed when a lake slowly fills up with plant debris. Sphagnum moss and other plants grow out from the lake's edge.  As sphagnum dies, more sphagnum grows on top of it. 2.  What is the keystone species of a bog?  Read about sphagnum moss.   How does Sphagnum maintain the acidic conditions?  The keystone species of a bog is sphagnum moss. The sphagnum moss is a plant that is favored by low oxygen, low nutrients, and moist acidic conditions. Sphagnum moss is sometimes referred to as peat is essential to a bog. Without sphagnum a bog would not exist. Sphagnum maintains acidic conditions by absorbing water and pumping hydrogen ions into its surroundings which creates a very acidic environment. 3.  What is peat?  How is it different from soil? Peat i...

Its 3:15 pm, a bright sunny hot day. It’s been a while since we’ve experienced sunshine like this in Vancouver. I take a stroll to Norquay park, right outside my apartment. Before quarantine, this place was buzzing with activity. The waterparks would’ve been on by now and you would hear children yelling and the sound of bouncing basketballs. Many people come here for runs, biking, and even just a simple picnic out in the sun. But currently, the park stands in stillness without the liveliness it used to hold. There are only a few people walking and a small family in the playground. I see the colors green, the trees and grass surrounding the park. But there are dashes of yellow and red, the colors painted on the playground, and the faded brown colors of the woodchips lining the floor. I hear the few cars that pass by the playground and the chirping of a few crows. I can hear the gravel on the ground from the shuffling of my feet with every step. There’s a feeling of tranquility and...

SH APE OF LIF E   (Page 3)   Despite being broken down,   Into smaller pieces all around   To the level of cells,   They can still recognize themselves   Sticking together and forming clumps,   The new, small sponges  become  lumps   Sponges can regenerate with ease,   Because it’s their expertise   Capable of reassembling,   They leave people remembering   Becoming anew through resurrection,   Sponges pull off a feat no other could mention   SHAPE OF LIFE   (Page 2)     Life as we know it,   Was like an empty pit   Until the first sponge appeared   “I will be the first animal”, it volunteered   Coming in many sizes and shapes,   It receives nutrients when water escapes   The pores of the sponge,  porocyte   Sponges were a gorgeous sight   Lacking nervous system, limbs, muscle, and brain,   Many did not think sponges would remain   Relying...

The best thing about sitting down and enjoying nature is the peaceful atmosphere it brings. Most people like the silence whilst walking through an empty park or forest. It relieves stress, anxiety, and allows you to ponder over problems in peace. Everett Crowley Park is a massive park filled with many trees. I go there to talk short walks often because it’s fairly convenient for me to access. Full of lush greens and tall trees that tower over you, it’s the perfect spot to just walk around and think. In the late afternoon around 4:15, I went to the park when it wasn’t too sunny or dark. There’s a lot of shade in the park because of the trees, so everything wasn’t that bright either way. Walking through the forested park calmed me down, it was tranquil, besides the chirping of the birds, rustling of trees, and sounds of the lake. When you first enter, the most noticeable thing is the tall trees and lakes. There is a lot of green, everything within your view is mostly green due to the la...