Limnology Lab Reports
Biology 3371; Dr. Dirnberger;  Kennesaw State University

Lab #4 - Stream Ecosystem

Due – December 4

Your report should include an introduction, results and discussion section

Your introduction should fully develop the theoretical basis for the distribution of functional feeding groups in a temperate stream system.  This will include a discussion of the sources of fixed carbon and how those inputs are modified as we go from smaller to larger streams.  It should end with a clear prediction for what we would expect to find at our Stamp Creek sites.  The logic and clarity of your introduction will be a major component of your final grade for this assignment.

The results section should contain table(s) and/or figure(s) that summarize our findings as well as a narrative that directs the reader to the key characteristics of those summary table(s) and/or figure(s).  Inferential statistics are possible and would greatly enhance the strength of your results.

The discussion should provide an explicit link between your introduction and the results section.  It should also address any methodological shortcomings associated with the study.

Central Question:
 
Does the distribution of functional feeding groups in Stamp Creek match what we would expect given what is known about the input of organic material to stream systems?