20 Minutes in Fairmount Park

There are ecosystems and habitats all around us if we take a minute or 20 to listen and watch. I decided to sit on a bank at Evans Lake in Fairmount Park to see the local flora and fauna. I observed some of the biotic (living) and abiotic(non-living) features of the lake.

Biotic:

Line of American Coots By: Denis Charbonneau

As I sat down I was taken back by the amount of various species of water fowl that were on the lake and segregated into their groups. One type was the American Coot (Fulica americana), there were several dozens wading, small black birds with white beaks and red eyes.The American Coots dark feathers serve as great camouflage, blending in with the colors of the lake, giving them both predatory and prey mechanisms. Another type of bird that was visible on the adjacent island was a type of Egret there were approximately 5-6. Other birds that I saw flying overhead and landing in the lake were ducks and geese. So many types of birds in a relatively small body of water would be a great example interspecific comeptition, species competing for resources within the lake.

Bank of Evans Lake By: Denis Charbonenau

The banks of the lake were lined with massive Cypress trees, their thick tangled roots weaved in and out of the lake and soil. The trunks of of the cypresses that were in close proximity to me were spotted with a type of moss, this commensalism relationship allows both species to thrive without having effects. Above the cypresses were towering Mexican Fan Palm Trees (Washingtonia robusta) flowing back and forth in the wind.   

Other biotic life included small sporadic swarms of what appeared to be gnats hovering over the lake near the shore. I then thought about the amount of biotic life that lies under the surface of the lake; algae flourishing from photosynthesis, fish and other aquatic life.

 "Every time I have some moment on a seashore, or in the mountains, or sometimes in a quiet forest, I think this is why the environment has to be preserved"-Bill Bradley

Abiotic:
The non-living elements that contribute to the biotic life in or around the lake provide a vital role in the creation and sustainability of a liveable environment. Visible abiotics included dirt, which allows for the biotic plant life to anchor and grow. Other non-living objects included, sunlight, the air, lots of man made objects: concrete, humming freeway noise, lamposts, etc. Oh and did I mention Riverside's very own LOCH NESS?!? 

I spot SolarBee!

As I was sitting there looking at the lake I spotted an elongated object bobbing on the surface of the lake, the object was too far out for me to figure out what it was. I saw solar panels reflecting atop the object. But what was it? I wanted to know what it was! I hunted for the object on Google and found it, it's a SolarBee! Definitely abiotic. It's a solar powered aerator purchased by the Riverside Utilities to provide better oxygen levels to the lake. It will save the City of Riverside some $$$ and also make the water a little more breathable for the fishes.