Population Growth and Competition in Lemna sp. and Spirodela sp.

Lennon Blaise dC. Davalos

F-1L

October 3, 2016

1A technical paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements

in Bio 150 (Principles of Ecology) Laboratory class under Mr. John Mark
A. Encinares, 1st sem., 2016-2017.
 ABSTRACT

Population growth and competition were observed on two

aquatic species Lemna and Spirodela with respect to their
population size and carrying capacity. Eight fronds from each
species were placed in different treatments A (tap water) and B (tap
water and soil). This represented the pure culture. Four fronds from
each species were combined and introduced to the remaining
treatments which signified the mixed culture. Population growth is
more favored in treatment B due to the added nutrients from the
soil. Comparison of growth rates and population show that Lemna
in both cultures and treatments is more favored than Spirodela
indicating that it is the better intraspecific and interspecific
competitor.

INTRODUCTION

When Ernst Haeckel way back in 1869 coined the term, Ecology, He defined it as

a scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Krebs (1972)

later emphasize that the ecological study of interaction determines the abundance and

distribution of species. Ecology follows a holistic approach to biology but also is divided

into certain levels of organizations, at population it concerns itself with the rarity or

abundance as well as the presence or absence of a particular species in a certain area and

other factors which might affect trends within their numbers (Begon, Townsend &

Harper, 2016).

According to Smith and Smith (2009), population is a group of individuals which

falls within the same species at a given time and area and as such have a high probability

for interaction. Populations can be categorized or analyzed through its structure which

depends on characteristics such as distribution, the spacing of individuals from each

other; density, the number of individuals per unit area; and growth rate.
 Population growth deals with the change of the number of individuals in a

population which is primarily governed by birth and death rates. For an individual,

natality and mortality are considered as discrete events but are considered as collective

properties at the population level. These govern the dynamics on whether or not the

population will increase or decrease (Smith & Smith, 2009).

A population within an area with unlimited resources would grow exponentially

with ideal conditions. In nature however, exponential growth does not happen very long.

It stops when it reaches its environments carrying capacity (K), defined as the number of

individuals that it can support, the population then levels off as it approaches K this type

of growth is known as logistic growth. These types of growth can be measured through

the populations instantaneous rate of increase (r) (Cuevas et al., 2011).

Other variables for a populations increase or decrease in growth would be

immigration and emigration. When individuals move from another location into a

subpopulation in search for resources and mating partners it is called immigration.

Emigration on the other hand, would be the movement of individuals out of a population

which occurs when species wish to establish new territories or is brought on by food

shortage or lack of other resources. Shortages lead to competition causing a reduction in

growth. Competition can either be intraspecific, occurring within a group of the same

species, or interspecific which happens between different species (Begon, 2006).

This experiment conducted from August 8- September 5, 2016 at the Institute of

Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Banos, aimed to analyze and

observe population growth and competition through the use of Lemna sp and Spirodela

sp. The objectives of this study were:

1. to demonstrate changes in the populations of pure and mixed cultures of Lemna

sp. and Spirodela sp;

2. to compare the growth of Lemna sp. and Spirodela sp. in different types of media;

and

3. to determine the effects of intraspecific and interspecific competition on both

species.

This study on population growth and competition is limited only to modular organisms.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In a similar study conducted three years ago by Angel Aguila, a student in UPLB

reported an exponential increase of both populations in pure cultures with the tap and soil

medium yielding greater increase than that of the media in which there is only tap water,

this was attributed to the added nutrients of the introduced soil. It was reported that all

populations from the pure culture indicated a steady rise in population which latter fell

upon reaching a flat line, the carrying capacity after all resources were depleted. Growth

in mixed cultures for both media only showed a slight increase for both species because

of interspecific competition with Spirodela being favored over Lemna.

Another paper published online with the same parameters done by another UPLB

student, Ovric Estioko, in June 2013 produced more specific results in which he

compared the growth and carrying capacity of both species in different media. Both

species exhibited an S curved exponential growth before flat lining attributed to the

mediums carrying capacity. It was noted that Spirodela growth was more favorable in tap

water than that of Lemna, results for the tap water and soil media yielded an opposite
outcome. Estioko stated that theoretically these data on which species thrive on what

media best should have been opposite due to each plants characteristic with Lemna being

eutrophic should have a higher growth rate in tap water, he attributed this errors with

pesticides and overabundance of Nitrogen present in the water.

An increase in growth curve is highly dependent on the nutrition of the

population. Several studies have been made to determine the correlation between an

abundance of nutrients in the environment and the increase of growth and population.

Figueroa and Rodriguez-Garcia (2002) stated that a population's nutrition is a major

driving force in mortality and fertility rates, observed during famine wherein birthrates

drop due to the conservation of energy for survival. Good nutrition also reduces the risk

of maternal death as well as child mortality leading to higher population growth.

On the topic of intraspecific and interspecific competition, a study was conducted

by Mangla et.al (2011) through the use of a diallel competition experiment involving two

invasive species (Bromus tectorum and Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and two native

species (Pseudoroegneria spicata and Poasecunda). Results show that for native species,

intraspecific competition was intense and that fast growing invasive species became more

competitive compared to slow growing natives indicating a positive feedback between

resource update and size.

METHODOLOGY

Three replicate jars for treatments A and B were prepared. Treatment A and B

both contain 50mL of tap water, accurately measured through use of graduated cylinder

but B has an added 5g of soil, which was measured using a triple beam balance. Eight
fronds of Lemna were introduced to one set of treatments A and B. Another eight fronds

this time from Spirodela were introduced to another set of both treatments. These

represented pure cultures of Lemna and Spirodela wherein eight is the initial population

represented by N0.

In order to observe interspecific competition, the remaining treatments were

introduced to four fronds each of Lemna and Spirodela. This represented the mixture

culture of Lemna and Spirodela, the initial population being eight as well. The jars were

covered with transparent plastic with few punched holes for the purpose of aeration. The

cultures were then placed and left inside a designated observation area after making sure

that all fronds were floating on the media.

The total number of fronds of Lemna and Spirodela were counted every other day

until frond count was observed to have leveled off. Buds that are almost half the size of

old buds were counted as separate individuals. Fronds that turned yellow were not

counted since they have already dried up. Observations were recorded in Table 2D.1.

After each observation, it was made sure that no fronds were adhering to the sides of the

jar and that all would be floating on the media.

Graphs of pure and mixed culture of Lemna and Spirodela grown in the different

treatments were separated and plotted for each treatment. Frond count vs. time was

plotted on the first graph for the Lemna grown as pure and mixed cultures. Data for

Spirodela growth on the other hand was plotted on the second graph.

The instantaneous rate of growth (r) at each observation interval in all cultures

was computed using the formula:

 r = ln = N(t+1) / Nt where = annual finite rate of increase

Nt = population in time t

N(t+1) = population at the next observation day

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Growth curves are generally subdivided into phases, this applies to most

organisms whether unitary or modular.

The first phase is known as the lag phase, characterized by the preparation of an

organisms for growth through tissue differentiation, cell division and changes in its

biochemistry usually occurring in the setup immediately after transfer of the plants to the

nutrient abundant media. Following this phase is the exponential growth phase observed

through the rapid division and production of new fronds and was also observed

quantitatively through the use of the intrinsic rate of increase (r). When r is greater than

zero than the population is said to be increasing, when it is equal to zero than both birth

rates and death rates are constant this describes the equilibrium phase. Lastly, is the

transitional phase wherein at this point, nutrients become limiting for growth and r is less

than zero.

Table 2D. 1. Population growth of pure culture and mixed culture of Lemna sp. and
Spirodela sp.

Population Size
Observatio Date of Age of Lemna Pure Spirodela Mixed Culture
n Number Observatio Cultur Cultures Pure Cultures
n e A B A B A B
(2016) (days)
L S L S
1 Aug 8 0 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4

2 Aug 10 2 16 10 8 10 8 4 7 4

3 Aug 12 4 23 15 8 10 11 5 8 4

4 Aug 16 8 48 25 15 17 19 12 12 6

5 Aug 17 9 48 23 15 17 18 12 13 6

6 Aug 19 11 70 28 17 19 30 13 20 10

7 Aug 22 14 90 62 23 27 30 13 30 10

8 Aug 24 16 92 74 23 28 30 13 31 10

9 Aug 26 18 94 74 23 28 30 13 31 10

10 Aug 31 23 73 97 23 43 20 13 27 15

11 Sept 2 25 71 97 23 44 20 13 27 15

12 Sept 5 28 70 105 21 49 20 13 32 14
Table 2D.2. Computed instantaneous rates of growth (r) of pure and mixed cultures of Lemna sp.
and Spirodela sp.

Observation Age Computed Instantaneous Rate of Growth (r) between observation dates
range
Lemna Pure Spirodela Pure Mixed Cultures
Interval of
Cultures Cultures
Culture
at the A B A B A B
given
interval L S L S

1-2 0-2 0.6931 0.2231 0 0.2231 0.6931 0 0.5596 0

2-3 2-4 0.3629 0.4055 0 0 0.3185 0.2231 0.1335 0

 3-4 4-8 0.7357 0.5708 0.6286 0.5306 0.5465 0.8755 0.4055 0.4055

4-5 8-9 0 -0.0834 0 0 -0.0541 0 0.800 0

5-6 9-11 0.3773 0.1967 0.1242 0.112 0.5108 0.0800 0.4308 0.5708

6-7 11-14 0.2513 0.7949 0.3023 0.3574 0 0 0.4055 0

7-8 14-16 0.0220 0.1769 0 0.0364 0 0 0.0328 0

8-9 16-18 0.0215 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9-10 18-23 -0.2528 0.2706 0 0.4290 -0.4055 0 -0.1382 0.4055

10-11 23-25 -0.0278 0 0 0.0230 0 0 0 0

11-12 25-28 -0.0142 0.0792 -0.091 0.1076 0 0 0.1699 -0.0690

As seen in Table 2D.1, Figure 2D.2 and Figure 2D.3 the population of Lemna

pure culture in tap water and soil showed greater increase in growth rate than that of the

growth of Lemna in the media containing tap water only. Lemna in both treatments A and

B showed an S-shaped curve at the beginning which represents the lag phase of the

growth curve followed by a J-shaped curve indicating exponential phase which was also

quantitatively determined through the r values tabulated in Table 2D.2. Growth in both

media slowed down towards the end of the observation period due to the depletion of

resources and reaching the environments carrying capacity (K), in which K is higher for

treatment A and for B well it is debatable since observation was stopped before
determining whether or not the population will increase or decrease at the supposed K

value. Lemna pure culture also exhibited a higher growth rate and K in both media than

that of the Spirodela pure culture indicating that it is the better intraspecific competitor

along with the fact that their numbers were still significantly higher than Spirodela after

nutrient depletion.

Results for Spirodela pure cultures in both media was tabulated in Table 2D.1 as

well and graphed in Figure 2D.2 for treatment A and Figure 2D.4 for treatment B. Data

for treatment A exhibited exponential phase supported by the values in Table 2D.2. It

approached a flat line at N=23 before dropping off making it the carrying capacity for the

said treatment. Treatment B, much like the results for Lemna in treatment B shared the

same conundrum on the supposed value of K since observation was stopped before

determining whether or not the population by this point would increase, decrease, or

remain the same. Treatment B showed a higher growth rate.

Data for mixed cultures was also tabulated in Table 2D.1 and graphed in all

figures for comparison to the growth of pure cultures. Higher growth rate of Lemna in the

mixed culture in treatment A show that it is the better competitor over Spirodela but is

significantly lower than that of the pure culture, attributed to the interspecific

competition. Same goes for treatment B with Lemna being more favored. The value of K

of treatments A and B is higher for Lemna than that of Spirodela.

Treatment B for both pure cultures and mixed cultures yielded higher

population due to the added nutrients from the soil.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

 Two aquatic plants Lemna and Spirodela were used to study and analyze

population growth and competition. Eight fronds of each species were placed in two

treatments, A (tap water) and B (tap water and soil). This represented the pure culture.

Four fronds for each species were mixed and introduced to the remaining treatments A

and B, this represented the mixed culture.

A general trend occurred in both aquatic plants in all treatments in which their

population is exponentially increasing, supported by the computed data on the r value

tabulated in Table 2D.2.

Lemna pure culture showed a higher population and growth rate in treatment B

than that of A. This is also true for Spirodela. Lemna pure cultures growth rate however

did do better than Spirodela in both media.

On the other hand, the results for the mixed cultures for both treatments indicated

also that Lemnas growth rate is more favored than that of Spirodela.

All throughout the experiment treatment B showed a higher carrying capacity and

favored more growth due to the added nutrients from the soil. This shows the correlation

between population growth and available nutrition in the environment.

Therefore, it can be concluded that additional nutrients or nutrition for that matter

play a vital role for population growth while on the subject of competition it has been

shown that Lemna is the better competitor for both intraspecific and interspecific

competition. It is recommended that the time of observation be lengthened to get more

significant results such as the environments carrying capacity.

LITERATURE CITED
Aguila, A. (2013). Population Growth and Competition in Lemna sp. And Spirodela sp.
Retrieved October 1, 2016 from
http://www.academia.edu/5727445/Bio150scipaper2

Begon M., Townsend, C.R. & Harper, J.L. (2006). Ecology: From individuals to
ecosystems (4th ed). Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Cuevas, V.C., Cervancia, C.R., Zafaralla, M.T., Lit, I.L., Jr., Barrion-Dupo, A.L.A. &
Lambio, I.A.F. (2012). Exploring Ecology (no ed.). University of the Philippines
Los Baos: Environmental Biology Division, IBS.

Estioko, O. (2003) Population Growth and Competition in Lemna sp. And Spirodela sp.
Retrieved October 1, 2016 from
http://www.academia.edu/4085023/Population_Growth_and_Competition_in_Le
mna_sp._and_Spirodela_sp?auto=download

Figueroa, R. & Rodriguez-Garcia, R. (2002). Nutrition and Population. Nutrition: A

foundation for development. Geneva: ACC/SCN.

Mangla, S., Sheley, R.L., James, J.J., & Radosevich, S.R. (2011). Intra and interspecific
competition among invasive and native species during early stages of plant
growth. Plant Ecology. Springer Science + Business Media B.V.
Smith, R.L. and Smith, T.M. 2006. Element of Ecology. 6th ed. New York, USA:
Benjamin Cummings.