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Red Leaves and Translucent Seeds

| Sat, Dec 03, 2022, 2:38 AM



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I conducted this project as part of Professor Pringle’s EEB321 class at Princeton University. Walking around the Jadwin Hall building, I was quick to notice the many leaves scattered around the ground. Most were in the warm color range, seeming to come from this reddish tree. Given the very slow seasonal transition we're experiencing, likely due to climate change, I believe this color makes sense, but something else about it intrigued me. With all that we've learned about niches, competition, mutualism, and the various roles fulfilled by species in the ecosystem, what does the change in color, condition, and location of these leaves mean for the ecosystem they inhabit? It is, of course, a natural process, but the species reliant on these leaves and trees for food, shelter, and other means must be affected somehow, right?


Right. Leaves on trees provide food. Not only for the tree itself, but also for climbing insects and wandering wildlife. This is one function they have in their niche. When these leaves begin to fall and decompose, they then facilitate the next stage of life for these species. Competition increases between individuals as the food supply dwindles (especially if they are specialists), those not adapted to the cold die off, and decomposers underground thrive on the dying plant matter. Before helping to photosynthesize nutrients for the tree, the leaves now become nutrients themselves for the surrounding species. I've never fully considered this process in relation to leaf color. It would be interesting to learn about how this might impact the leaf's life cycle.

Unfortunately, as I tried to view such vibrant, red leaves through my Foldscope, the only thing visible was a red hue. Likely due to the thick nature of the leaf, I decided to try a more translucent artifact I had discovered hidden under the decomposing debris: a helicopter seed. Luckily, it provided a much clearer view of its innerworkings. Though still blurry, the semblance of paper-thin lattices were a bit more visible.


Even if using the Foldscope wasn't entirely successful for me, it was enlightening to know that (when made and used correctly) it could provide a captivating perspective of the world around us for only $1. All you need is a little creativity.



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Categories

Type of Sample
plants
Foldscope Lens Magnification
140x

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