WILD lab — WISRD

Self-Sustaining Terrestrial and Aquatic Environmental Studies (Oli, Joe, and Ronan)

This branch studies various flora and fauna and observes what environmental factors affect relationships of animals and plants. The group predicts that there will be a need for self-sufficient ecosystems that can be portable, provide food sources, and be a self-sustaining life form that does not require artificial intervention. Because of this, the group wants to find the most functional ecosystem in various aquatic and terrestrial conditions.

Plant and Fungi Nitrogen-Fixing Relationship Studies (Brian)

This branch focuses on observing the differing presence of fungi in plant growth. This branch also studies nitrogen in plants. Plants need nitrogen for growth, so they must fix nitrogen to take it from the atmosphere and use it. This nitrogen intake is the optimal plant growth form and is studied in this project.

Slime Mold Mapping (Branch Extension) (Oli and Joe)

In Tokyo, a large-scale urban planning experiment was conducted to find the most efficient routes between large urban centers in various areas for the Tokyo metro system. The experiment used slime mold because it needs to spread itself to survive and find food, so it takes the most optimal route so it can save its energy and health. Food for the slime mold was placed at each urban center so researchers could observe the most optimal routes for the metro system to follow. This branch is recreating that in Los Angeles and are planning out a lab report and lab writeup to record the findings.

Self-Sustaining Terrestrial and Aquatic Environmental Studies:

Is it possible for humans to create a self-sustaining environment? If not, how close can humans get?

Plant and Fungi Nitrogen-Fixing Relationship Studies:

What is the symbiotic nature of plants and fungi with a high diversity of plant seeds?

Using Slime Mold to Map Transit Routes of Los Angeles (Plant and Fungi Relationship Branch Project Extension):