Ancient Beech Glen Affric, Scotland

Ancient Beech Glen Affric, Scotland
The Wishing Tree (Goldberry)

Gaia Theory and All Life is Connected

The concepts of an interconnected earth are intriguing and measurable. As a botanist and microbiologist I have studied symbiotic relations that range from parasitic to symbiotic. Many indigenous people have understood these concepts longer than modern scientists. The Lakota Sioux state: “Mitakuye Oyasin,”which means, “To all of my relations.” It is a prayer of oneness and harmony with all forms of life: people, animals, birds, plants, insects, and even rocks. It is a reminder that we all share a common kinship within the hoop of life. Our bodies are composites of bacteria, and within our cells are remnants of ancient bacterial cells that are now mitochondria. Dr. Lynn Marguelis a famous botanist, and suppoter of James Lovelock Theory of Gaia states: "The only individuals on the planet are bacteria."

http://www.unreasonable.com/people/margulis/root.htm

http://www.lakotawritings.com/Sacred_Symbols.htm


Magi magnificentii

Magi magnificentii
Magi, Mycorrhiza and Antelope Island State Park

Friday, May 4, 2012

Soil Nutrients and Your Health

May 2-3, 2012

Test for buffer pH


Academic Goal:   Students will analyze local soil samples and calculate the C.E.U's (Cation-Exchange-Unit) and pH.   

Essential Question:  How does the soil quality impact the nutritional quality of food crops?

Lab Experiment:  Inquiry questions:  Hypothesize about the CEU's present in local soil samples.  Using local soil samples students will quantify the amount of CEU's present. 

Cation exchange capacity
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of the total amount of exchangeable cations (positively charged ions) a soil can adsorb. Nutrient cations in the soil include positively charged ions such as calcium (Ca+2), magnesium (Mg+2), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+) and hydrogen (H+). In soil tests, CEC is reported in milliequivalents (meq) per 100 grams of soil. The exchangeable cations in the soil are in equilibrium with those in the soil solution (water in the soil). As plants remove nutrients (cations) from the soil solution, they are replenished from the adsorbed cations, which are then available for plant uptake (Figure 4). http://extension.missouri.edu/p/MG4

HOMEWORK:   Learning Goal II:  (Please refer to portfolio sheet on assignment.  Topics to choose from include:  Soil ecology, soil habitat, soil mycorrhizae desert habitats, soil restoration, soil pollution.  EBSCO SITE:  http://pioneer.uen.org/k12/

Lab Summary:   CEU and Soil pH Lab

 

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