1. Problem Results Introduction Hypothesis Conclusion Materials Tables
Different Growth Rates of (Prosopis glandulosa ), Honey Mesquite, along a topographic gradient of the Chihuahuan Desert from four different locations in the El Paso Region
Results
Introduction
For the porosity of the soils we found at all four locations showed us that Location #1 (E.P.C.C. Mission del Paso’s fluvial) the mass changed from 50 grams to 48 grams. Location #2 (The arroyo) retained the least amount of water , the mass changed from 50 grams to 47 grams. Location #3 (Sandy hill side) retained the greatest amount of water proving to have the greatest porosity and Location #4 (Red Sands) was in the middle with only one gram of water lost. In Location #1 we found that the mesquite grew in a tree form and had less branches. In Location #2 we found a mixture of trees and shrubs and they had a greater amount of branches. In Location #3 we found that mesquite grew in shrub form and had the greatest amount of branches. The shrubs in this area grew amongst other plants, most commonly seen was the Tarbush (Flourensia cernua). Lastly in Location #4 we found that the mesquite grew in a mixture of tree and bush form but it did have the highest average width and almost had the same number for average height. Locations #1, #2, and #3 the mesquite grew in isolation from the other plants.
Honey Mesquites(Prosopis glandulosa) are one of the greatest distributed trees in Texas. They require low amounts of water and plenty of sunlight. They are very adaptable and are also heat and drought tolerant. Honey Mesquites help with fixing nitrogen in the soil. They also play host to many animals such as small mammals, fruit-birds and Nectar-insects and it is an excellent bee tree. Once a mesquite is successfully established it’s virtually impossible to remove. Due to its adaptive nature, mesquites have been able to survive and thrive in different environments and therefore have different adaptive traits. Some mesquites are shrub-like while others look more like trees. Mesquite roots also adapt to the amount of rainfall by having one main taproot and smaller, more superficial roots to help with water collection from recent rain fall.
Problem
Hypothesis
Does the availability of water/porosity of the soil affect the characteristics of the Honey Mesquite(Prosopis glandulosa)?
If the soil is more porous and absorbs the most water, then the Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)will have shallow roots and grow in the shape of a shrub and if the soil is less porous then the mesquite will grow with longer tap roots and in tree form.
Conclusion
Materials
Tables
Graphs
The hypothesis was supported with the data. In Location #1 we found tree like mesquite and low porosity in the soil, which means the mesquite have tap roots in that location that help with the absorption of water from the aquafers below In both Location #2 and #4 we found a mixture of shrubs and tree mesquite. The soil had low porosity and the mesquites had a mixture of tap roots and shallow roots. This helps the mesquite survive when there is little precipitation or when there is plenty of rain they can use the shallow roots to collect water. In Location #3 the mesquite grew in shrub form and had the highest porosity. These mesquites had shallow roots that allow for them to collect rain water. If this project would to be repeated we would like to collect data from different locations to further support our data and investigate if human interaction affect the way that the mesquite grow.
Measuring Tape
Yard or Meter Stick
Clipboard
Mesquite Tree (Prosopis glandulosa)
Ziploc Bags
Electric Balance
3 Graduated Cylinders
3 Beakers
Microwave
Soil
Plot
Beginning (g)
End (g)
Difference (g)
Type os soil 1 50 48 2
Sand 47 3
Clay 51 -1
Silt 4 49
Graph created using Excel
Data Table created using Excel
Data Table created using Excel
Location #1
Tree
Width (cm)
Height (cm)
# of Trunks 1
267
226 2
396
358 3
935
488 5 4
224
188
203
295 6
127
157 7 69
104 8 46 61 9
120
140 10 94 99
Average
248
212
Procedures
Data Table created using Excel
Applications
Location #2
Tree
Width (cm)
Height (cm)
# of Trunks 1
1214
457 10 2
744
270 6 3
960
224 7 4
300
203 5
409
216
221
135
1595
556 13 8
163
168 9
442
114 18
150
137
Average
620
248
For The Mesquite:
Find different locations where mesquites grow.
Collect soil from each location.
Record the height, width, and number of trunks for 10 mesquite trees (per location).
For The Soil:
On an electric scale weigh 50 grams of soil from location #1 a place it in a beaker.
Fill a graduated cylinder with 10mL of water.
Pour the 10mL of water in the beaker containing the soil and microwave for 2 minutes.
Weigh the beaker with the beaker to compare the original mass with the new one. Record your findings.
Repeat steps 1-4 for the other locations.
The importance of this project is that it can be used for the preservation of land. It is also important because of the role Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) provides for the environment. This experiment also can help with the conservation of the aquafers. Knowing where mesquite grow with tap roots can help identify where aquafers are located. They are also important in protecting biodiversity. And lastly it helps with identifying the effects of climate control. Mesquite plants are important indicators of how an ecosystem is doing.
Data Table created using Excel
Location #3
Tree
Width (cm)
Height (cm)
#of Trunks 1
975
239 30 2
373
158 12 3
287
165 7 4
671
170 5
749
218 60 6
389
152 20
599
185 8 94 84 9
813
203 40 10
259
145
Average
521
172 25
Bibliography
Foraging Texas: Honey Mesquite. (2008, August 27). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from
Martínez, A., & López-Portillo, J. (2009). Allometry of Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana along a topographic gradient in the Chihuahuan desert. Journal of Vegetation Science, 14(1), doi: /j tb02133.x
NPIN: Native Plant Database. (2016). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from
Plants Profile for Prosopis glandulosa (Honey Mesquite). (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from
Texas Native Plants Database. (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2016, from horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/PROSOPISGLANDULOSAVARGLAND.HTM
Data Table created using Excel
Location #4
Tree
Width (cm)
Height (cm)
# of Trunks 1
513
290 2
1006
297 4 3
917
249
770
259 5
1374
234 30 6
229
175 7
320
203 8
503 9
633 10
452
231
Average
672
246
Variables
Dependent: Width, height and number of branches
Controlled: Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)
Independent: The locations and soil samples
Data Table created using Excel