Designing Your Mesocosm
Designing your mesocosm correctly is important, as the survival and sustainability of your ecosystem depends on it. With a sealed mesocosm, energy enters and leaves the vessel through light and heat, but matter does not. Sunlight will allow photosynthesis which will keep the cycle in motion. However, there are other materials needed inside the mesocosm in order for it to sustain itself.
The aim of this experiment is to find out whether the change of humidity and temperature will affect the survival and health of the ecosystem.
The aim of this experiment is to find out whether the change of humidity and temperature will affect the survival and health of the ecosystem.
Creating a drainage layer:
A drainage layer is used to allow water to settle at the bottom of the mesocosm, instead of overloading plants. This drainage layer can be made out of pebbles or rocks - I used aquarium pebbles:
A drainage layer is used to allow water to settle at the bottom of the mesocosm, instead of overloading plants. This drainage layer can be made out of pebbles or rocks - I used aquarium pebbles:
Creating a hygiene layer:
A hygiene layer is used to reduce bacteria, prevent mould, and keep your mesoosm healthy. This can be made out of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is a processed form of carbon that is often used in water filtration systems. It removes pollutants from air and water, and purifies solutions of organic molecules in laboratory experiments. I bought my activated charcoal from an aquatic store.
A hygiene layer is used to reduce bacteria, prevent mould, and keep your mesoosm healthy. This can be made out of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is a processed form of carbon that is often used in water filtration systems. It removes pollutants from air and water, and purifies solutions of organic molecules in laboratory experiments. I bought my activated charcoal from an aquatic store.
Creating a barrier layer:
A barrier layer is used to separate the activated charcoal and soil, preventing them from mixing together. The layer also enables storage of water. It can be made from peat moss, otherwise known as sphagnum.
A barrier layer is used to separate the activated charcoal and soil, preventing them from mixing together. The layer also enables storage of water. It can be made from peat moss, otherwise known as sphagnum.
Creating a growth medium layer:
The growth medium layer for a mesocosm should be free of unwanted or unplanned plant material, so that the mesocosm will not become overgrown with unwanted plants (weeds). This layer is made of potting soil, with no fertiliser (as this will promote growth, which is not ideal in a small mesocosm).
The growth medium layer for a mesocosm should be free of unwanted or unplanned plant material, so that the mesocosm will not become overgrown with unwanted plants (weeds). This layer is made of potting soil, with no fertiliser (as this will promote growth, which is not ideal in a small mesocosm).
Adding your biotic organisms:
A sealed mesocosm will create a humid environment; make sure you choose plants that like moist soil and humid air, such as miniature ferns, and others that enjoy the same conditions of heat, water and light. I chose:
As for moss in your mesocosm, you can collect this locally. I collected this off a wall near my house, and kept it in a zip lock bag with a spray of water to keep it until it was put into my terrarium. Note: Avoid moss that has gone to seed. It tends to go very brown, maybe even dead, and will not grow in a mesocosm.
A sealed mesocosm will create a humid environment; make sure you choose plants that like moist soil and humid air, such as miniature ferns, and others that enjoy the same conditions of heat, water and light. I chose:
- Golden creeping club moss (fern)- shade or indirect light, don’t allow to dry out, ideal indoors
- Sunshine Speckles (syngonium) - indoors, hardy, near windows (well-lit), water well
- Variegata (dracaena sanderiana) - indoors, hardy, near windows (well-lit), water well
As for moss in your mesocosm, you can collect this locally. I collected this off a wall near my house, and kept it in a zip lock bag with a spray of water to keep it until it was put into my terrarium. Note: Avoid moss that has gone to seed. It tends to go very brown, maybe even dead, and will not grow in a mesocosm.
When planting your organisms, you must make sure that there is room for the plant to properly photosynthesize, so don't overcrowd them! Add the moss after you have planted your plants, and arrange it in the free space left in the mesocosm.
Spraying lightly with water:
The amount of water you put into your mesocosm is very important to its survival. Too much water will overload the ecosystem, resulting in plant life dying or rotting. Too dry and your plants will have difficulty sustaining themselves and possibly die. It is, however, much better to have a mesocosm that is too dry than too wet, because this can be easily rectified. For this reason, I used a spray bottle so that I would not allow too much water into my mesocosm. |
Sealing and placing mescosm:
Seal your mesocosm and place it in a well-lit area out of direct sunlight. If placed in direct sunlight, the glass or plastic container of your mesocosm will intensify the sun's rays and overheat your ecosystem. |