Lab 5 Easter Island - EVR1001L Goddard PDF

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EVR1001L Goddard online class, Lab 5 Easter Island...

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EVR1001L Spring 2021 Easter Island: Carrying Capacity and Sustainability Lab Revised Report Tessa Stein 03/14/2021 Materials and Methods This experiment was done on Easter Island, a small island located in the southeast Pacific Ocean. A line transect and an estimated population survey during each time period was recorded. The estimated population was counted using a drone which automatically scans for life on the island. For the line transect, the number of trees (Palms and Mulberries) within 5 meters of the 200 meter long line on both sides will be counted using a survey wheel. Results: Tables and Graphs Table 1. Easter Island tree count and population survey numbers and tree density from 900AD to 1800AD. Year

Mulberry Palm trees # trees # counted counted

People # counted

Area of Area of Mulberry Palm People transect drone trees # trees # / # /km^2 km^2 survey /km^2 km^2

900

38

20

20

0.002

162

19000

10000

0.12

1200

31

14

1280

0.002

162

15500

7000

7.90

1400

12

6

20480

0.002

162

6000

3000

126.42

1500

3

0

30000

0.002

162

1500

0

185.19

1600

0

0

20000

0.002

162

0

0

123.46

1800

0

0

2000

0.002

162

0

0

12.35

Graph 1. Easter Island Mulberry and Palm Tree density from 900AD to 1800AD.

Figure 1. Easter Island Mulberry and Palm Tree density from 900AD to 1800AD.

Figure 2. Easter Island Population density from 900AD to 1800AD. Discussion and Conclusions This lab demonstrated the effect of exceeding a carrying capacity on an island. The island experienced an increase in population that resulted in a huge decline in Mulberry and Palm trees. The island saw a decline in resources because of increased population density. In 900AD, the tree population was at a high of 19,000 Mulberry trees and 10,000 Palm trees for every km2. The

density of Mulberry trees continued to decline until 1600AD when they vanished. The population density increased from 900AD to 1500AD and then continued to decline until 1800AD. The density of Palm trees declined until 1500AD when they vanished as well. There is a clear relationship between people per square kilometer and trees per square kilometer. As the population increased, the trees began to go away. The number of trees declined and eventually, so did the population. The more people living on the island, the more trees they needed to live. The island could not sustain its population. The number of people counted increased until the resources added up to the amount of people on the island and carrying capacity took effect in 1500AD. This experiment shows that it is crucial to consider carrying capacity and to live a sustainable life so we do not deplete our natural resources....