Introduction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Introduction - Essay Example Because of these above features, the two plant species remain to be most ideal for population growth experiments (Clatworthy and Harper, pg 308). According to Harper et al (221), the main aim of this experiment will be concerned with competition for resources between L.minor and S.rotundifolia in a laboratory setting. There is a suggestion that interspecific competition will result into a dip in the growth rate of either species. This is brought about by factors such as leaf size which mean creation of plenty of own food and other nutrients thereby growing at an increased rate and healthier thus out competing the other. The same experiment will be focused at regulating environmental thereby observing the interspecific interactions between the two plant species by measuring growth rate and competitive effect. It is possible to make a simple model of floating aquatic plant population. This is attributed to the fact that it is possible to provide them with regulated environment in glass beakers with cultures. The parameters controlled are temperature and light intensity. In order to investigate interspecific competition, the two are to be grown in same culture. This will be followed by observation as the struggle for existence commences (Harper and Chancellor, pg 682). As for intraspecific competition, the culture will be of a single species of Lemna. For that experiment which is aimed at investigating increase in light supply or duration, L.minor is grown in cultures exposed to varying light intensities and duration. Clatworthy, J.N., Harper, J.L., Comparative biology of closely related species living in same area. Inter and intraspecific interference within cultures of Lemna spp. and Salvinia natans. J. Exp. Bot. 13, 307–324, 1962. Print. Harper,J . L. & Chancellor, A. P., The comparative biology of closely