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Impact of Introduction of American Bullfrogs on Species Diversity

Author(s): Heather Zimbler-DeLorenzo1, Christine Mary Patrum1, Randall Moser Jr2, Andrea Huntoon3

1. Georgia State University Perimeter College 2. Horry Georgetown Technical College 3. Fox Valley Technical College

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Summary:
This module explores the introduction of the American bullfrog on their ecosystem. Using species diversity calculations and data collection techniques, students explore how the bullfrog affected the species in its community. Students are…

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This module explores the introduction of the American bullfrog on their ecosystem. Using species diversity calculations and data collection techniques, students explore how the bullfrog affected the species in its community. Students are introduced to calculations like species richness, species evenness, and species diversity indices. Also, this activity provides students an understanding of how this information is gathered in the field and provides them an opportunity to learn how to collect data themselves.

Description

This module consists of five sections to explore the introduction of the American bullfrog on their ecosystem.  Students learn about the issue of introduced species and how animals are surveyed in the field using several videos.  Then, students are introduced to calculations the simple calculations of species richness and species evenness.  Using simulated data, students will compare the ecosystem before and after bullfrog introduction.  Next, this activity adds in species diversity by providing two species diversity indices (Simpson's Diversity and Shannon-Wiener) and the ability to compare them using the simulated data.  Lastly, students are provided an understanding of how this information is gathered in the field and provides them an opportunity to learn how to collect data themselves.

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