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Ginevra Nencha gr11

Lab: Planning a lab to investigate a factor that may affect productivity in grass Aim:
To investigate the effect of water quantity on grass' productivity or Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

Hypothesis:
My hypothesis is that the grass that will have more water will affect the NPP of grass because there is a relationship between water and grass' productivity. Water is necessary to plants because it helps by transporting important nutrients through the plant because nutrients are taken from the soil and used by the plant. Without enough water the plant will eventually die because a of lack of nutrients, but If the plants soil has too much water, the roots can decompose and the plant cant get enough oxygen from the soil and eventually die.

Variables:
Independent: Water amount

Dependent: Productivity of the grass Height / thickness of the grass The colour of the grass, it might change due to a lack of nutrients The decomposition of the roots

Controlled: Amount of sun light Temperature Type of soil If is in a walking area or not Same type of grass

Equipment:
Ruler Scissors Beaker 1l Water 4 Plastic bags Balance

Ginevra Nencha gr11

Method:
1. Find a grassy area, make sure the spot has the same controlled variables, that is not too close to water sources and that is big enough (at least 2 meters by 2 meters) to take different samplings. 2. The data will need be collected for 4 quadrants. 3. Take a ruler and measure a square that is 50cm by 50cm. 4. Take the scissors and cut the grass 2cm long by using the ruler. 5. Throw away the grass that you have cut. 6. Quadrant 1: no water. 7. Quadrant 2: repeat steps 3 to 5 but measure the quadrant 2 steps away from it and use the beaker to measure 2l of water and water the grass every day. 8. Quadrant 3: repeat steps 3 to 5 but measure the quadrant 3 steps away from it and use the beaker to measure 4l of water and water the grass every day. 9. Quadrant 4: repeat steps 3 to 5 but measure the quadrant 4 steps away from it and use the beaker to measure 6l of water and water the grass every day. 10. Measure the weight of each plastic bag with a balance and record the weight in a table. 11. After a week cut the grass back to 2cm and collect the cut grass in a plastic bag. 12. Measure the weight of the grass in the plastic bag and subtract the weight of the bag to it. 13. Report in a table the results. 14. Repeat step 11 to 13 for quadrant 2, 3 and 4. 15. Put the 4 plastic bags with the grass under the sun and let it dry. 16. Every other day measure the weight of the dry grass in the plastic bag with a balance and record the weight in a table (this is called "dry weight"). Keep on doing this process for a week. 17. Record your results in a table. 18. Repeat step 16 and 17 for the other 3 plastic bags. 19. Compare and contrast your results and make a graph showing the difference between the dry weights of each quadrant according to the water that affected the NPP of the grass.

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