In this Issue, students will examine published data that address the ecological consequences of introduced species. Activities engage students in data analysis and hypothesis testing, and will increase their understanding of the complexities of ecological phenomena. This Issue focuses on ecological consequences of introduced species using several case studies - zebra mussels, brown tree snakes,...
This data set can be used to determine the effect cowbird brood parasitism has on a songbird population. It includes notes for students as well as instructions for faculty.
In this activity, students examine the nature of the interaction between army ants and ant-following birds. Ant-following birds benefit from the relationship by staying just ahead of the ants and capturing prey animals that are disturbed by the ants. While early studies suggested that the birds' foraging might in turn benefit the ants, it is possible that the birds remove prey that the ants would...
In this laboratory exercise, students examine hypotheses about the interactions between goldenrod plants and the gall-forming insects that feed on them. Students collect and analyze data to determine 1) whether certain traits make the plants more susceptible to attack by the insects and 2) how plant reproduction is affected by the insects' feeding. Students are introduced to several competing...
Students, especially those from the inland parts of a country, tend to have a “terrestrial-centric” view of Earth. For some, exploration of marine ecosystems may occur only during holidays or while watching the Discovery channel. The idea that oceans have pathogens that cause devastating diseases in a variety of organisms is
less familiar to students than human diseases and medical treatment...