Research Paper In Ecology Lab

5 pages

Scientific Research Paper  You will write a lab report using the scientific format of introduction, methods, results, and discussion to report the findings of this lab. You need to search the literature on  edge effects for your introduction and to support or to compare with your conclusions for  the discussion section of your paper (citing your literature as shown in the format given  to you previously).  Things to think about in your paper:  Why are the potential factors causing differences in species richness and/or abundance  between edge and interior habitats? What are some of the things that explain this  difference from the literature?  Why was canopy cover presumed to have an effect on the species richness and  abundance of arthropods in the forest? What other data that you collected might be  useful in analyzing the arthropod species distributions? How would you analyze them?  If you had null results (no significant difference between habitats and/or no strong  correlations) for your experiment, what are the potential reasons?  What are the differences, if any, in the types of species and their population sizes that  occur in the two different habitats? How would you analyze this? Suggest some  possible statistical analyses in the discussion section.

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Scientific Research Paper

You will write a lab report using the scientific format of introduction, methods, results, and discussion to report the findings of this lab. You need to search the literature on edge effects for your introduction and to support or to compare with your conclusions for the discussion section of your paper (citing your literature as shown in the format given to you previously).

 

Things to think about in your paper:

Why are the potential factors causing differences in species richness and/or abundance between edge and interior habitats? What are some of the things that explain this difference from the literature?

 

Why was canopy cover presumed to have an effect on the species richness and abundance of arthropods in the forest? What other data that you collected might be useful in analyzing the arthropod species distributions? How would you analyze them?

 

If you had null results (no significant difference between habitats and/or no strong correlations) for your experiment, what are the potential reasons?

 

What are the differences, if any, in the types of species and their population sizes that occur in the two different habitats? How would you analyze this? Suggest some possible statistical analyses in the discussion section.

 

Potential literature sources:

Murcia, C. 1995. Edge effect in fragmented forests: implications for conservation. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 10:58-62.

Hernández-Santin, C., M. Cuautle, M.N. Barranco-león, J. García-Guzmán, E.L. Badano, F. Luna-Castellanos. 2019. Eucalyptus edge effect on Quercus-herbivore interactions in a Neotropical temperate forest. Neotropical Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13744-019-00694-5

 

 

 

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Research Paper in Ecology

Forest edge effect on species richness and abundance of arthropods at BOLOS

Scoring Rubric

Introduction (20 pts)

 Is the topic clearly and concisely introduced?  Is there a sufficient literary review of the topic of edge effect?  Does the information forecast the remainder of the paper?

 

Methods and Results (25 pts)

 Methods are logically organized with adequate description of materials and methods used to gather data.

 Results contain tables and/or graphs used to depict species numbers in different habitats.  Results contain the use of statistical methods to illustrate whether there is significant difference in

arthropod distribution between forest interior and edge habitats.  Linear regression equation is computed and used to draw best fit line between the plots.

Discussion and Conclusions (35 pts)

 Primary literary sources (peer reviewed) are used to support or refute the edge effect on arthropod community patterns.

 Discusses the impact of related research on the concept of edge effect.  Summarizes the evidence with respect to thesis statement (that arthropod species richness and

abundance are or are not affected by edge effect).

Grammar and Mechanics (10 pts)

 Grammatical errors or spelling does not detract from the paper. Literature Cited (10 pts)

 Literature is listed alphabetically and in the format required.  At least 5 sources cited and listed from this section are primary literary sources

 
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Heavy Metals Extraction: Chemical Industry, Oil Refineries And Pesticides

  1. Site information: Provide information on the source(s), amount, extent, fate, and transport characteristics of the contaminant(s) at each site. Be as specific as possible. Include soil and hydrogeology, as applicable.
  2. Remediation technology review: Present a general review of current remediation technologies applicable to each site. Do not limit it to biological remediation. Include biological, physical, chemical, and thermal technologies.
  3. Recommend bioremediation and/or phytoremediation strategy: Recommend a bioremediation and/or phytoremediation strategy that you think is most suitable for these sites. Provide your rationale. Use one or two strategies (must be biological).
  4. Critique and assess the remediation technology chosen: Provide the advantages and disadvantages of the selected technology. Also include methods for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the chosen technology.

The paper should be double-spaced and written in a Times New Roman, 12-point font size. There should be four sections (see below), and each section should have a heading (i.e., Site Selection and Information). The paper should be written in paragraph form and include appropriate references and citations. List your references in the last section (Wikipedia is not a valid reference!). Please be sure to use the most current references. Please limit your paper to 10 to 15 pages (including figures and references). 
You can submit your project as PowerPoint Presentation. Please make sure that your presentation followed the same sections as a written paper. There is no limit to the number of slides as you covered all sections and the materials required. 

Projects are due on Monday, May 2nd at 11:59 PM. 

Rubric: (150 points) 

          I.      Site selection and information (includes #1 & #2): 30 points 

  • Are at least three sites chosen?
  • Do they all have similar contamination problem(s)?
  • Are the sources, amounts, extent, fate, and transport characteristics included? Is the soil, water, and/or hydrogeology addressed?

         II.      Review of remediation technology (#3): 50 points 

Are all applicable biological, physical, chemical, and/or thermal remediation techniques addressed in a coherent and comprehensive manner using the most current and relevant references?

       III.      Biological remediation strategy for selected sites (includes #4, #5 & #6): 50 points 

  1. Is the design of the remediation strategy biologically based? Is the chosen technology logical and feasible for the sites?
  2. Is there a detailed plan of the technologies included in the paper? Is a logical rationale for the technologies included?
  3. Are the advantages and disadvantages of the technology addresses? Are they site-specific?
  4. Is a reasonable monitoring and evaluation plan designed/outlined? Are feasible improvements of the technology included?
  5. Are these improvements consistent with the disadvantages?

IV.      References: 20 points

  1. Are there at least 6 valid references included?
  2. Are all references cited in the body of the paper using a standard and acceptable format?
  3. Are all references cited in the paper also listed in the references section using a standard and acceptable format?
 
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Acting Locally Paper – Conservation Biology

Choose a pair of related aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to research. Your choices must meet the following criteria:

  • The aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems must be closely associated. For example, a fen (aquatic) in an alpine meadow or forest (terrestrial), an islet (terrestrial) in a marine bay (aquatic), or a river system (aquatic) in a desert (terrestrial) would be appropriate.
  • At least one endangered species, as identified in the IUCN Red List or by a government wildlife or natural resource agency, must be present in one or both of the ecosystems.
  • The pair of ecosystems must be in your local region or in an area of personal significance.

Write 900 word paper about the ecosystems you have chosen and the species that make up these ecosystems. Include the following items:

  • Identify and describe the pair of ecosystems.
  • Describe three species in each of your ecosystems, including at least one plant and one animal from each. Evaluate each of these species based on its intrinsic value, its instrumental value, and its uniqueness value. Include at least one endangered species in this description and analysis.
  • Summarize how the components of your ecosystems interact with one another, and explain the value of each ecosystem in terms of its components.
  • Describe how ecosystem diversity and species diversity are related and how each ecosystem relates to the landscape.

Cite at least three references.

 
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Ecosystem Ecology Activity

Answer the questions below, save this file as a .docx, and upload this file to the correct Exploration Activity submission location.Answer the questions below, save this file as a .docx, and upload this file to the correct Exploration Activity submission location.

Introduction to Environmental Science Ecosystem Ecology Activity

Directions

Answer the questions below, save this file as a .docx, and upload this file to the correct Exploration Activity submission location.

 

Saving this file: When you are done answering these questions – save this template as a WORD DOCUMENT (.docx) named: EA_Evolution_LastName.docx where “LastName” is your last name. Upload to Canvas to submit your assignment. ONLY .docx files will be accepted

SHORT ESSAY Questions (Expectations: short essay answers are composed of multiple SENTENCES in paragraph format unless otherwise specified. For full credit, always FULLY EXPLAIN what you mean. Please use the words that make up the question in your answer.

Part 1: Food Web Diagram

In this activity you will be assigned a specific ecosystem, for this ecosystem you will need to construct/draw a food web, NOT A FOOD CHAIN. Your food web must have 10 different organisms and include at least 1 of the following: Primary Producers, Consumers, and Detritivores/Decomposers, and Top Predator. THE DIAGRAM SHOULD TAKE UP AN ENTIRE 8.5×11 piece of paper and show:

1. Identifiable organisms with correctly spelled names and LARGE FONT/WRITING SIZE

2. Arrows indicating transfer of energy

3. Clearly labeled organisms as Primary Producers, Consumers, Predators, or Decomposers

4. If drawn on paper, you must take a picture and upload this picture separately (.jpg format ONLY) as its own file; if drawn using software, upload a separate .jpg file of your computerized drawing

 

Part 2: Ecosystem Interaction Investigation

1. Using the EVR text, the videos in on the assignment web page, and your own food webs, develop answers for the following questions:

a) Describe how your organisms at each trophic level acquire energy in the food web.

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b) Explain the flow of energy between the trophic levels of your food web.

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c) Discuss how energy is used/lost as it moves through each level of your ecosystem. Address all lost energy pathways

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2. Pick an organism to remove from the food web; explain the cascade of changes within the food web that would occur because of this removal.

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3. Explain how the flow of matter is different from the flow of energy in a food web.

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4. Why are there likely to be only 4-5 links in a complete ecosystem food web or chain?

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Remember: When you are done answering these questions – save this template as a WORD DOCUMENT (.docx) named: EA_EcosystemEcology_LastName.docx where “LastName” is your last name. Upload to Canvas to submit your assignment

 
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