Week One: A Pioneer Village

This week, we set up our MicroAquariums. The water source utilized was from source 4 (see below information). I also used both plant A and B.

4. Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/11/2009

Plant A . Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/11/2009Plant B. Utricularia vulgaris L. Flowering

Plant B . carnivous plant. Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN.

As I peered into my aquarium, I could not help but to flatter myself: I have given these poor microorganisms a home. No longer will they have to suffer through the toils and troubles of the outside world, to which they are not accustom. The majority of Microville is rod-like diatoms and protisoa. There are also a few rotifers. I have designated this geographic area a downtown: Plant B. The most organisms are on the bulbs of Plant B. And as we all know, a downtown has to have a town hall. In Mircoville Town Hall (Plant A) sits Mayor Nematode. Plant A is also home to many rhizoids. They look like roots, but they are scattered all over the moss (I'm not sure what the mayor has planned for these rhizoids yet, but I'm sure he has something good up his hypodermis. As I thought would be the case, most of the life and activity is around the plants. There is not much action in the bottom sediment except for a few rod-like diatoms here and there. I'm hoping that this will sprout into a great tourism spot for Microville because they are having a rough time in this economy.