Introduction The observed change in various populations and communities over time as a response to the change in environment can be described by ecological succession. The environment changes slowly as a consequence to various populations living, reproducing, and competing for natural resources. Furthermore, when disturbances occur within an ecosystem, the environment may no longer be suitable for certain populations to thrive, thus better-adapted populations begin to emerge and take over the newly changed ecosystem. Ecological succession is described by two phases: primary succession and secondary succession. Primary succession is when colonization occurs in a place where no life previously existed. In contrast, secondary succession occurs …show more content…
Pseudomonas agar (PS) supplemented by cetrimide, fucidin, and cephaloridine is expected to show growth of colonies earlier in the experiment where oxygen is still present in the Mason jar. As the experiment continues, it is hypothesized that growth will be depleted due to the aerobic metabolism of the Pseudomonas genus. Lactobacillus-Streptococcus Differential (LSD) agar is selective for both Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species that are aerobic in nature, but can withstand acidity. It is hypothesized that growth on LSD agar will be observed early in the experiment and will grow towards the middle of the experiment before being depleted. EC medium agar will be plated to track the growth of enteric bacteria during the experiment. Growth on this plates indicates if the fermented food is safe to eat, and it is hypothesized that no growth will be present on these plates by the end of the experiment. The last selective agar that will be utilized is Wallerstein Laboratories nutrient agar containing 5% Sodium Chloride (WN5). WN5 agar will grow anaerobic species such as Pediococcus, and it is expected for growth on this plate to occur in the later phases of the experiment when the atmosphere is depleted of oxygen. Trypticase Soy agar (TSA) is neither selective nor differential but will show the overall growth of populations occurring within the Mason jar under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. TSA agar will be utilized in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions to illustrate the decrease of aerobic bacteria and increase of anaerobic bacteria over two