The Algae is always Greener: Effects of Light Cycles on Cell Density

Abstract

This experiment revolves around testing the theory of island biogeography, but instead of using islands, we will be using lakes. We are also testing how nutrient levels affect species diversity. We tested four different sized bodies of water in Oklahoma to determine how many different species we could find within a 1.0mL sample. On a hemocytometer grid, we counted the number of algae in order to measure the species diversity. Within our results, eight different species of algae were found in the water samples. The most abundant species found was Chlorella. There is no correlation between the size of the bodies of water and species diversity. Nutrient levels also appear to have no effect on species diversity in bodies of water.