The Comparative Biology of L.minor and S.rotundifolia - Essay Example

This is unlike other plants that show seasonal growth trends characterized by observable skips in a total population where there is room for alteration of shape and size as they respond to changes in density. Because of these above features, the two plant species remain to be most ideal for population growth experiments (Clatworthy and Harper, pg 308). According to Harper et al (221), the main aim of this experiment will be concerned with competition for resources between L.minor and S.rotundifolia in a laboratory setting.

There is a suggestion that interspecific competition will result in a dip in the growth rate of either species. This is brought about by factors such as leaf size which means the creation of plenty of own food and other nutrients thereby growing at an increased rate and healthier thus out-competing the other. The same experiment will be focused on regulating the environment thereby observing the interspecific interactions between the two plant species by measuring growth rate and competitive effect.

It is possible to make a simple model of a floating aquatic plant population. This is attributed to the fact that it is possible to provide them with a regulated environment in glass beakers with cultures. The parameters controlled are temperature and light intensity. To investigate the interspecific competition, the two are to be grown in the same culture. This will be followed by observation as the struggle for existence commences (Harper and Chancellor, pg 682). As for intraspecific competition, the culture will be of a single species of Lemna.

For that experiment which is aimed at investigating an increase in light supply or duration, L.minor is grown in cultures exposed to varying light intensities and duration.