Replanting
We came back after spring break and noticed that all our plants have shriveled up, we talked with Mr. Blake and he told us to take measurements and readings of the water being circulated throughout the system.
Indoor System
Date : 1/9/19
Early Bloom
Front Plant: PPM: 217 (before)
Back Plant: PPM: 138 (before)
Front Plant: PPM: 225 (Final)
Back Plant: PPM: 148 (Final)
Date: 1/14/19
Front Plant: PPM: 325 (Before)
Back Plant: PPM: 214 (Before)
Front Plant: (Floral) PPM: 328
Back Plant: (Floral) PPM: 217
Front Plant: (Grow) PPM: 236
Back Plant: (Grow) PPM: 215
Front Plant: (Micro) PPM: 333
Back Plant: (Micro) PPM: 222
Front Plant: (Final) PPM: 333
Back Plant: (Final) PPM: 222
Front pH and Temperature
pH: 4.9
Temp: 73.9 F
Back pH and Temperature
pH: 4.8
Temp: 73.7
Date: 1/19/19
Front Plant: (Before) PPM: 336
Back Plant: (Before) PPM: 268
Front Plant: (Final) PPM: 352
Back Plant: (Final) PPM: 333
Front pH and Temperature
pH: 5.1
Temp: 73.6
Back pH and Temperature
pH: 5
Temp: 73.8
Early Bloom
Front Plant: PPM: 217 (before)
Back Plant: PPM: 138 (before)
Front Plant: PPM: 225 (Final)
Back Plant: PPM: 148 (Final)
Date: 1/14/19
Front Plant: PPM: 325 (Before)
Back Plant: PPM: 214 (Before)
Front Plant: (Floral) PPM: 328
Back Plant: (Floral) PPM: 217
Front Plant: (Grow) PPM: 236
Back Plant: (Grow) PPM: 215
Front Plant: (Micro) PPM: 333
Back Plant: (Micro) PPM: 222
Front Plant: (Final) PPM: 333
Back Plant: (Final) PPM: 222
Front pH and Temperature
pH: 4.9
Temp: 73.9 F
Back pH and Temperature
pH: 4.8
Temp: 73.7
Date: 1/19/19
Front Plant: (Before) PPM: 336
Back Plant: (Before) PPM: 268
Front Plant: (Final) PPM: 352
Back Plant: (Final) PPM: 333
Front pH and Temperature
pH: 5.1
Temp: 73.6
Back pH and Temperature
pH: 5
Temp: 73.8
Going Home
After growing our tomato plant in class for several weeks, it was finally time to take it home. With this task came many things I thought were challenging. Some of which include if the plant was going to die, where to plant it, how much do I water it and so forth. When I took the plant home, it didn't die which was a good thing. As soon as I got home from practice I watered it and place it in a bowl outside, where it could be hit by sunlight and also be exposed to the elements. One thing I was scared about was the wind, the gusts were strong where I live and I was quite scared to see if the wind would break the stems of the plant. Overall it is growing good and has not died. The stems seem to be getting thicker and more leaves are starting to show themselves.
Our Responsibilities for Food Production
There are many ways we can be responsible for our food production. One of those ways is to grow your own food and eat your own food. For example, in my back yard we are currently growing lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, kalo and ginger. We are slowly expanding into more edible foods like Papaya and Banana. With this we can somewhat rely on our backyard to produce food that we can eat. Also my family has a long generational line of fisherman and me and my father go out into the ocean and catch fish to eat. This way of eating is the most successful way for being responsible for our food production. We can all slowly become more responsible for the production of our food. We can stop going to Costco, Safeway, Foodland and Times and support local at farmers markets, or grow our own food.
Food Data
In the first week of November our class was trusted with the task of logging down every meal we ate throughout the day. This project that was given to us was supposed to show us what we are eating, if it is locally sourced and if it is processed or not. After taking notes and data for several weeks, I noticed that over 75% of the meals I was eating was locally sourced and not processed. I give a lot of thanks to my mother because she is very food conscious and only wants the best for me to eat. I have been gluten free for over 5 years now and it has helped me a lot over high school. When I go out with friends I noticed that a lot of the meals they eat are not healthy and good for their bodies. Many people criticize me for being healthy but it has helped my body is so many ways that I am very thankful for it.
History of Food Sourcing in Hawaiʻi
Back in the olden days where farming and fishing were common practices. The people of Hawaiʻi only caught or farmed what they needed, if they had left overs or extra that they did not need, they would barter and trade goods. For example if a fisherman caught more than he needed, he would offer the farmer in the uplands fish for kalo or any other plant. Food was like money back then, there was no form of monetary papers until the missonaries were introduce. They would barter and trade goods so they could have a diverse meal, rather than just eating fish or plants. This is the ideal way of food sourcing, everything was grown here in the islands and there was no import or export. Nowadays we as the people of Hawaiʻi rely on the shipping and importation of foods. The population is so dense here that we need to rely on outside sources in order for everyone to be fed well. The loading docks are the only way for us to get the food we need and that is why they are paid so much due to the fact that we rely on them for everything. If I had a choice I would much rather go back to the olden way of food sourcing, grow or catch what you need and trade or barter for different goods.
Locally Sourced Food
To me and my family, there is so much importance in buying locally sourced foods. There are so many benefits towards this one action. You support local farmers, decrease dependence on shipped in goods and also eat healthier. The foods that are being shipped in are either kept on a boat or a plane for a certain amount of time, in that time span, you have no clue what happens with your food, who touches it and much more. If you grow and eat your own food, you planted your own food, and it literally only went from the soil to your hands to your plate. I think so highly of that idea.
Waimanalo Farm
Our journey to the Waimanalo Farms was a very interesting one due to the fact that they were doing so many different types of things there, from aquaponics, organic plants and genetically engineered plants. It was interesting to see how much land they had and how they used the land efficiently to serve their needs. They showed us many ways to become self-sustainable and plant our own food. I have always wanted to learn how to farm, by myself. I asked lots of questions when we were there and in turn I learned so much that I can apply to my farming at home.
Carbon Cycles
Definition: The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, chiefly involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels
Steps of the Cycle
First the carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and combustion. Then the carbon dioxide is absorbed by producers to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis. The animals then feeds on the plant passing the carbon compounds along the food chain. Most of the carbon then is consumed and exhaled as carbon dioxide formed during respiration. The animals and plants eventually die.
The dead organisms are eaten by decomposers and the carbon in the bodies is then returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. In some conditions decomposition is blocked. The plant and animal material may then be available as fossil fuel in the future for combustion.
First the carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and combustion. Then the carbon dioxide is absorbed by producers to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis. The animals then feeds on the plant passing the carbon compounds along the food chain. Most of the carbon then is consumed and exhaled as carbon dioxide formed during respiration. The animals and plants eventually die.
The dead organisms are eaten by decomposers and the carbon in the bodies is then returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. In some conditions decomposition is blocked. The plant and animal material may then be available as fossil fuel in the future for combustion.
Loops
Positive Feedback and Negative Feedback Loops
What is a Positive Feedback Loop?
A positive feedback loop is the nature in which the product of a reaction leads to an increase to the reaction. If we take a look at a single system in homeostasis, a positive feedback loop moves a system further away from the target of equilibrium. It does this by amplifying the effects of a product or event and occurs when something needs to happen quickly.
Example: An example of a positive biological feedback loop. If we look at an papaya tree, with many papayas, if you noticed overnight some may go from ripe to unripe.
What is a Negative Feedback Loop?
A negative feedback loop occurs in biology when the product of a reaction leads to a decrease in that reaction. A negative feedback loop brings a system closer to a target of stability. Negative feedback loops are responsible for the stabilization of a system. To ensure the maintenance of a steady. The response of the regulating mechanism is opposite to the output of the event.
Example: Temperature regulation in humans occurs constantly. The normal human body temperature is around 98.6°F. When body temperature rises above this, two things kick in the body begins to sweat, and vasodilation occurs to allow more of the blood surface area to be exposed to the cooler external environment. As the cold sweats, it causes evaporative cooling, while the blood vessels cause convective cooling. Normal temperature is then regained. Should these cooling mechanisms continue, the body will become cold.
What is a Positive Feedback Loop?
A positive feedback loop is the nature in which the product of a reaction leads to an increase to the reaction. If we take a look at a single system in homeostasis, a positive feedback loop moves a system further away from the target of equilibrium. It does this by amplifying the effects of a product or event and occurs when something needs to happen quickly.
Example: An example of a positive biological feedback loop. If we look at an papaya tree, with many papayas, if you noticed overnight some may go from ripe to unripe.
What is a Negative Feedback Loop?
A negative feedback loop occurs in biology when the product of a reaction leads to a decrease in that reaction. A negative feedback loop brings a system closer to a target of stability. Negative feedback loops are responsible for the stabilization of a system. To ensure the maintenance of a steady. The response of the regulating mechanism is opposite to the output of the event.
Example: Temperature regulation in humans occurs constantly. The normal human body temperature is around 98.6°F. When body temperature rises above this, two things kick in the body begins to sweat, and vasodilation occurs to allow more of the blood surface area to be exposed to the cooler external environment. As the cold sweats, it causes evaporative cooling, while the blood vessels cause convective cooling. Normal temperature is then regained. Should these cooling mechanisms continue, the body will become cold.
Cycles
Nitrogen Cycles
Definition: the series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.
Steps to the Cycle
Nitrogen is essential for the formation of amino acids in proteins. The nitrogen cycle is a model that explains how nitrogen is recycled. About 78% of the air is nitrogen. Nitrogen is unreactive, it can't be used directly by plants to make protein. Nitrates contain nitrogen and Nitrates are soluble in water, so plants are able to absorb them from the soil through their roots. This is how nitrogen compounds can get into plants.Once in plants, the nitrates are used to make proteins for growth. When animals feed, nitrogen compounds such as proteins are passed along the food chain or food web. When animals and plants die, their nitrogen compounds are broken down by soil bacteria, fungi and other decomposers. In this way, nitrogen compounds are returned to the soil, where they may be absorbed by plants again.
Definition: the series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.
Steps to the Cycle
Nitrogen is essential for the formation of amino acids in proteins. The nitrogen cycle is a model that explains how nitrogen is recycled. About 78% of the air is nitrogen. Nitrogen is unreactive, it can't be used directly by plants to make protein. Nitrates contain nitrogen and Nitrates are soluble in water, so plants are able to absorb them from the soil through their roots. This is how nitrogen compounds can get into plants.Once in plants, the nitrates are used to make proteins for growth. When animals feed, nitrogen compounds such as proteins are passed along the food chain or food web. When animals and plants die, their nitrogen compounds are broken down by soil bacteria, fungi and other decomposers. In this way, nitrogen compounds are returned to the soil, where they may be absorbed by plants again.