2025-2026 Ecology

INTRODUCTION

During our habitat garden, we tested the soil, replaced all the soil, aerated the soil, added an irrigation system that is unique to our garden, and finally planted our plants. The overall goal of our garden was to create a drought resistant habitat that increases biodiversity on our campus. This garden supports and helps pollinators and many other organisms thrive creating a biodiverse campus. For this project, along with my classmates, I tested and planted the perfect loam soil for optimal water retainment. I also aerated cardboard and planted it below the mulch which we then planted. We then all mapped out the garden space, my group and I choosing the bottom left corner for our plant. With about two months left in the school year, we decided to put up a shade sail and rain barrels to optimally shade and irrigate our garden. For this, I dug multiple holes where we then planted and secured the posts for the garden using concrete. I also helped fill up the rain barrels with water, making sure no water was wasted. When we moved back into the actual garden, I measured the space between our garden plot and the main line to then place an irrigation line around our plant. While doing this we planted our narrowleaf milkweed. To ensure the plant stays safe from animals and people, we planted a mesh structure around our plant with PVC pipes and green mesh.

OUR SIGHT

Before we began planting, we learned that the soil in our garden was Sandy Loam. To figure this out, we did a jar test where we filled a jar with water, a few drops of dish soap, and finally the soil. We then recorded data at a one minute mark, a one hour mark, and a 24 hour mark. For the one minute we recorded the amount of sand the soil has(64%). For the one hour mark we recorded the amount of silt the soil has(23%). And lastly for the 24 hour mark, we recorded the amount of clay the soil has(13%). With our project soil being sandy loam, we concluded that the soil is not optimal for growing plants. This is because water will drain quickly and will not have enough nutrients for plants to grow and thrive. We also tested the soil infiltration rates of our soil. We concluded that the soil drains .8 cm/m or 48 cm/h. This is very slow and likely caused by the compaction level of the soil from people walking on it. Having slow water movement can cause water to pool at the top of soil, potentially drowning and killing the plants. It is important for ecologists and landscapers to understand soil characteristics before planting so that they know how water will be retained and the amount of nutrients that are in the soil for positive plant growth. To improve the drainage of our garden sight, we sheet mulched our habitat. This includes adding aerated cardboard on top of the soil, then adding composted soil, and lastly adding mulch.  

BUILDING HEALTHY SOIL

To improve the soil, our class planted composted soil with the perfect loam. This new soil is very rich in nutrients and was packed perfectly to ensure proper water drainage-not too fast but not too slow. The nutrients will allow plants to grow along with the water that will be absorbed by the plant and will let it thrive.  The new composted soil will benefit the plants due to the vast amounts of macronutrients that are released slowly over time. The soil will also allow organisms like earthworms from the nutrients and the slight compaction will allow these organisms to burrow and be safe from predators. The compacted soil will allow high amounts of water retention due to the slight compaction that ensures the movement of water, and not the pooling of water. The perfect ratio of silt, sand, and clay that is in loam soil retains soil long enough to keep plant roots hydrated. Healthy soil is considered the foundation of a healthy ecosystem because it upholds various processes that make life on land possible. Healthy soil provides nutrients for plants, stores and filters water, supports biodiversity, provides habitats, and lastly supports and is the major driving factor for food production. 

ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS WE SUPPORT

In our garden, we hope to support the plants which we planted, decomposers, and pollinators. The plants which we planted have great nutrients from the soil that we planted. The plants are also given water daily on a drip line which provides them with water they need to grow and survive. The decomposers we hope to support in our garden include fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates like earthworms. Lastly we want to support pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.  Two ecological relationships that may occur in the garden are mutualism and decomposition. A mutualistic relationship includes the bees and the nectar from the plants. The bees carry the pollen from one plant to another and the bee gets fuel from the pollen. A decomposition relationship includes earthworms and the soil. The earthworms help recycle nutrients within soil as well as creating better drainage from the holes that they dig. These relationships are very important for maintaining ecosystem health because decomposers make sure the ecosystem never runs out of raw materials while mutualistic relationships allow organisms to survive, share resources, and build entire habitats. This is especially important because without these relationships, organisms would have to fend for themselves and likely die off without the help of the other organisms around. Native plants contribute to supporting biodiversity because they are the main food source for native insects which then feed the local birds. Native plants also conserve water because they are adapted to the natural rainfall patterns that the region experiences. Lastly native plants are resistant to local pests and diseases meaning they can grow and thrive without the need of chemical pesticides. 

HOW WE HAVE SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR PARTY

Our habitat garden is highly sustainable from  the rain barrels and the sheet mulch. We also planted many drought resistant plants which will not need a lot of water once they are established. The rain barrels make sure no water is wasted when irrigating the garden. The sheet mulch also was recycled from a California Bay tree that was recycled on campus. The use of native plants reduces resources compared to a traditional landscape because the plants are perfectly adapted to live in their native habitats. For example, native plants use less recycled water because they are adapted to the annual rainfall. This is different from traditional landscapes like grass because they need a large amount of water, which needs to be watered across the whole landscape. There are multiple aspects of the garden that help conserve water. These include the rain barrels, sheet mulching, and the perfect soil. The rain barrels are on a timer and water the perfect amount daily. The water enclosed in the barrels also do not evaporate because it is sheltered from the sun. Next, the sheet mulching acts as a sponge for water, retaining the water and lowering the evaporation levels.  Lastly the composted soil has perfect compaction levels, which means water won't pool, rather it will seep down into the soil at perfect levels. The garden supports wildlife while requiring fewer human inputs due to the high levels of native plants within the garden and the self watering feature of the rain barrels. The native plants easily adapt to the local climate. The plants require low amounts of water and do not need chemical fertilizers. The rain barrels also are on a timer that is programmed to water the garden daily. This means the garden does not need to be watered by humans, lowering the human inputs. Our garden demonstrates ecological stewardship by creating a self sustainable garden that protects the environment. This garden utilizes native plants and has high levels of water sustainability using the rain barrels that are on a timer. The garden also protects and helps pollinators survive. The pollinators also facilitate plant reproduction by pollinating seeds, which helps more native plants sprout and grow, restarting the process all over again.

REFLECTION AND GROWTH + LOOKING FORWARD

The most meaningful part of this project for me was learning about how to create a biodiverse environment. This is so I can go outside and appreciate the nature and organisms that make up our environment. The most challenging part of the project was planning out the garden. In hindsight, our garden appears simple, but really it is very intricate. Our garden includes a base layer of soil. Placed on top of the soil is aerated cardboard. We then placed a layer of composted soil, and lastly we added mulch that was made from clippings of a California Bay tree. My ecological understanding changed when I learned how important soil is to an environment. I had no idea that soil is a fundamental part of a garden. Soil supports many organisms ranging from bacteria to birds. Without soil it is very difficult to create a diverse ecosystem. One ecological concept that I understand better now is the vast concept of pollinators in ecosystems. I learned that there are thousands of bee species that all do different things. For example I didn't know that there are carpenter bees as well as honey bees. Among these different categories of bees, there are many species that all do something unique.  If I could improve or expand the habitat garden in the future, I would create a water funnel that goes into the rain barrels. This is so all of the water that goes into the garden is recycled and not taken from a hose that comes from nearby reservoirs. I am most proud of creating the garden and planting our plant. I feel proud because we diversified our campus and helped path the way to supporting more organisms on our campus as well. I hope that future students will add more native species to our habitat garden. This will further diversify our campus. I also hope that future students will discover more spaces on our campus to plant a garden, so that we can have multiple areas of the campus that is ecologically friendly and healthy. 

This project changed the way I perceive my relationship with the environment by becoming a part of the community. Before the project, I observed people garden and help the environment, but I actually never went out of my way to do those things. Now after creating and planting a garden, I can say I am more aware of my everyday actions, including water consumption, littering, composting, and respecting outdoor spaces. I also care more about the organisms within the garden space, including the plants, pollinators, and insects. In order to support biodiversity in communities, people can consider designating an area to plant native plant species. Doing this simple act promotes biodiversity by helping pollinators or other organisms that benefit from the plants. These plants can serve as food or shelter for other animals as well.  What I wish for you to take away from the creation of our habitat garden is that you don’t have to do much to remarkably benefit the ecosystem. Doing actions as simple as planting a plant, or not walking in gardens or other ecological spaces can promote the growth and survival of many organisms creating a more diverse ecosystem for many around you to enjoy!