In the biology field, mutualism is an interaction between two or more species in the same environment that benefit from one another. The species depend on each other for increased fitness and survival. On the UMass Amherst campus, the diverse wildlife provides opportunities for mutualism to occur within several species. Within the campus pond and its surroundings, resides year long habitats of numerous animals and plants.
I observed and photographed a mutualistic relationship between the campus pond and cattail plants that grow along the perimeter of the pond. Cattails appear as brown sausages on a yellow and brown stick attached to the upper half of the plant. The cattails grow well near the swampy area of the pond because they need a constant supply of water in its roots and exposure to sunlight to perform photosynthesis. Their roots in the water provide shelter for small fish underwater in ponds and the stems are a source of nesting materials for small animals to occupy.
A series of methods describes how the student took the images of the cattail and later how, another student from the class followed the instructions. The subsequent student’s aim was to replicate the procedures in hopes of obtaining the same results. Critical factors were considered carefully, specifically time of day, weather, softwares, and equipment in order to perform the activity.
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