Autumn Evidence of Resource Partitioning as Observed by Beth Anton and Ewelina Labanowski

My partner and I found only three pieces of evidence on our tree. The first piece of evidence we found on the tree was a tumor-like growth located on the trunk of the tree, we found out that this growth is called a gall and is caused by either insects that nest in the ball or when the tree is hurt and grows this so as to cover its wound. I guess it seems as a self-help process for the tree; putting a band-aid on a wound so to speak. The second piece of evidence we found was moss on the tree or fungi, it was green and covered the lower portion of the trunk closer to the base of the tree. The third and final piece of evidence that we found were deep gashes in the trunk of the tree which we learned were due to insects eating up or through the trees trunk.

We can account for at least two live species using the tree as a resource, the insects that use the tree as a nest and the insects that use the tree for food. The other form of life we can account for on the tree is the moss, which uses the tree for its nutrients. It was interesting to see all the organisms that use trees for resources, it's something that you do not notice on an everyday basis because although we pass by trees all the time we hardly ever stop to examine the tree and think about all this evidence of resource partitioning.

I think that the most interesting or rather shocking piece of evidence that we found were the deep gashes in the trees trunk. My partner and I had figured that it was caused by humans hurting the tree in some way, possibly axing it for some reason but never even came close to the thought that it was insects eating through the trunk. It was fascinating to learn why and who had left behind all the evidence in these trees.