The choice chamber is made up of four sections, each separated with a low wall. In these four sectors I will place a different habitat in each. I must make this a fair test and always keep one condition constant. For example, if I were to test out which materials the woodlice prefer, then my constant condition will be to maintain an invariable level of dampness.
Once I place the twenty woodlice in the choice chamber, I will wait twenty minutes for the woodlice to get acquainted with the new scenes and will then count how many woodlice are in each chamber every two minutes. I will then average it out to find the preferred location on average.
Prediction: My prediction of the outcome for this experiment is that the woodlice will prefer the dark, damp and the dead leaves habitats. My reasons for this are that as I know the woodlice are negatively phototaxis, I can assume they would hide in the dark. I also know that they cannot stay in dry places or else they will suffer from moisture loss and perhaps die. This will cause the woodlice to move towards the damper areas, although not too damp, as it will still kill them otherwise. I predicted dead leaves as woodlice eat dead or decomposing vegetation and the dead leaves fit perfectly to their specifications.
Apparatus:
This had four sections separated by four low walls. The walls were of this design to allow the woodlice to climb freely over them in order to explore another part of the chamber.
This is to measure the time, so we may allow the same amount for each experiment.
Sand, wood shredding, dead leaves and twigs.
This was cut into a semi–circle intended for the light/dark experiment.
Method: As I was not in school for the experiment, I have relied on my friend’s account in order to do my method.
Moisture test
The aim in this test was to decide which type of dampness woodlice prefer.
The material used to keep a constant condition was dried soil. There were four different types of dampness in each of the segments in the choice chamber. Putting the soil in first, we then added water to each section. These were: 1) completely dry, without any water at all, 2) quite damp, 3) damp, 4) very damp. When we did this test, we tried to be careful in making sure that the soil was not too moist, in case one of the woodlice should die. We then added the woodlice and placed them in the choice chamber.
After 20 minutes of waiting for the woodlice to settle, we counted the number of woodlice that was in each compartment and recorded it down in our results. We then took two more readings after every two minutes to see if they have changed their opinions on the preferable habitat.
Light and dark test
The aim in this test was to observe the nature of woodlice. Do they prefer light or dark places?
We used wood shavings as a material and put it in all four sections. We chose this material as it would be more comfortable and easy to move around the chamber. We then added the twenty woodlice.
Using the semi–circle sugar paper, we covered up half of the choice chamber in order to provide two sectors with dark and the other with light.
After waiting 20 minutes, we took our first reading, followed by other readings every two minutes.
Materials test
The aim in this test was to learn what type of material woodlice prefer out from the following four: sand, wood shredding, dead leaves and twigs.
The normal in this test was the moisture. All four of the compartments were completely dry.
After placing a few of the chosen materials in a quarter, we closed the choice chamber and waited for another twenty minutes. After taking our first reading, we took two more readings after ever two minutes.
Results
Test 1 – Moisture
The results show that the woodlice prefer dry or damp areas. My prediction was that woodlice prefer damp areas. I was correct, but I now know that they are also satisfied with dry conditions.
Test 2 – Light and Dark
As you can clearly see, there are much more woodlice in the dark sections than the light. My prediction was correct in stating that the woodlice would probably prefer the dark.
Test 3 – Materials
The material Sand was the material woodlice like least. More of the woodlice prefer dead leaves, as I correctly guessed in my prediction.
Conclusion: In completion of this coursework, I have learnt that woodlice do indeed prefer the dark, damp and dead leaves habitat. I found out that woodlice do not mind the dry habitat, though I think that they would have done otherwise if they were given a larger area to explore.
Evaluation: Though I was not in to do the final experiment, I took part in a test experiment before the concluding experiment. I found that the one I took part in was enjoyable as it was fascinating to learn about a common creature. I think that if I did take part in the concluding experiments, I would have taken more readings to support the evidence more.
In order to improve my accuracy, I could have maybe used a few more woodlice (about 5 more) in order to reduce my chance of fault. I could have also taken another person’s results in order to compare them with mine. If they were similar, I would have been more assured of these results.
Other than that, I’m sure the experiment was interesting and the results came out as predicted, so I have achieved my aim, in figuring out which type of habitat do woodlice prefer.