Food Chain Dynamics In A Simple Ecosystem
Author(s): Jessica Joyner1, J. Phil Gibson2, Anna Petrovicheva3
1. CUNY Brooklyn College 2. University of Oklahoma 3. Brooklyn college
1642 total view(s), 867 download(s)
Food Chain Dynamics In A Simple Ecosystem(PDF | 94 KB)
FMN-FoodChainDynamics-NotesReflections.docx(DOCX | 112 KB)
Videos Links.docx(DOCX | 12 KB)
Excel Anova for Algae Comparisons(XLSX | 55 KB)
Algae Ecosystem Hypothesis Worksheet(PDF | 126 KB)
Excel T-test for Aglae Jars(XLSX | 24 KB)
- License terms
Description
Demonstrating predator-prey dynamics rarely fit the timeline of a lecture course or the scope of student experiences. This lab explores food chain dynamics in a microcosm of a simplified ecosystem with a primary producer and a grazer. It can be accomplished in two class sessions (one for experimental setup and the other for data collection). The primary producer is a marine algae and the grazer is brine shrimp (Artemia sp.), both of which are accessible and have low risk in culturing and maintenance. For the ecological context of predator-prey dynamics, the population densities are compared after a 2-week incubation of student designed experiment. Additionally, the concepts of 'bottom-up' or 'top-down' influences on an ecosystem can be taught and discussed in a broader context of ecosystem ecology.
In this experiment, you will use an experimental design developed by Hudon and Finnerty (2013), but in a “flipped” format. You should first view the assigned videos that describe the fundamental features of the experimental procedure.
Hudon, D. and J.R. Finnerty. 2013. To build an ecosystem: an introductory lab for environmental science and biology students. The American Biology Teacher 75:186-192.
Notes
There are minimal changes to the core of the lab. Notes include comments about using an alternative algae, diatoms, and hatching the eggs. Preparation of cultures should begin two weeks before the schedule start with the students.
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
- Joyner, J., Gibson, J. P., Petrovicheva, A. (2018). Food Chain Dynamics In A Simple Ecosystem. Plants by the Numbers, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/Q4C41H