Populations Lab Report Instructions: The Virtual Populations Lab is on the lesson assessment page. Gather data to evaluate Sebastian’s Snorkel Spot’s claim that a new factory is polluting the coral reef. Follow the instructions as you move through the lab and record your data and observations in the lab report.

Title:

Objective(s):

Hypothesis:

Variables:

Procedure
During the research phase, you found that the factory is not using nutrient-removal treatment on the water it releases. Excess nutrients in the water encourage algae growth, which can smother coral. To monitor the water quality and health of the coral reef, you will collect data on five factors: water clarity, dissolved oxygen levels, percentage of live coral coverage, number of juvenile parrot fish observed, and number of mature parrotfish observed.

Data:
Record your data from the virtual lab in the data

Data Analysis:

Select one abiotic factor that was monitored, either water clarity or dissolved oxygen level, and create a line graph showing the measurement of the abiotic factor over time. Then select one biotic factor that was monitored, either coral coverage, juvenile parrotfish, or mature parrotfish, and create a line graph showing the measurement of the biotic factor over time.

Insert Chart [Hint: don’t forget to create a line graph to analyze your data]

Conclusion:
Be sure to answer the following reflection questions as a summary in the conclusion of your lab report:
• Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not? Be sure to include evidence from the data you collected to support your conclusion.
• Based on your data, describe the overall trend for each of the five factors that were measured?
• What information do your graphs show? Describe the correlation between the two factors that you graphed

Questions:
Using what you have learned in the lesson and the virtual lab activity, answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Identify the abiotic and biotic factors in this lab.
2. Describe the symbiotic relationship between each of the organisms.
3. Explain how the limiting factors affect carrying capacity in each population.