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Apr 18, 2024
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BIO 126 - Ecology and Natural History of Isle Royale National ParkCredits: 1 Introduces a remote area of ecosystems. Discusses key native and introduced species of plants and animals. Emphasizes the uniqueness, yet interdependency of organisms. Highlights the long-studied island Wolf-Moose interaction. Requires a three-day trip to the island at student expense.
Prerequisite(s): READING LEVEL 2, WRITING LEVEL 2 AND MATH LEVEL 2. Corequisite(s): None Lecture Hours: 15 Lab Hours: 0 Meets MTA Requirement: Natural Science Pass/NoCredit: Yes
Outcomes and Objectives
- Participate in the process of science.
- Make observations.
- Design experiments.
- Conduct experiments.
- Formulate and test hypotheses.
- Collect data.
- Analyze data.
- Draw conclusions.
- Report results.
- Explain the evaluation and revision process of science.
- Work collaboratively with classmates.
- Participate in laboratory experiments and field activities with 1-3 classmates or entire class.
- Share the workload of small group activities.
- Share the responsibility of acquiring, cleaning and putting away laboratory and field equipment.
- Share ideas and respectfully receive ideas of class notes and Park Service officials, as well as class supervisors.
- Demonstrate the competent use of common instruments and technology in environmental investigation.
- Use binoculars and spotting scopes to view various wildlife interactions.
- Demonstrate the use of sound recording devices.
- Read compass and follow maps of details/trails on island.
- Competently communicate about environmental topics.
- Read critically.
- Write effectively.
- Listen actively.
- Speak effectively.
- Develop and interpret graphs and flow charts.
- Compile a journal of activities and impressions obtained in outdoor settings while experiencing different kinds of ecosystems.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically.
- Integrate concepts.
- Solve problems.
- Draw logical conclusions.
- Make predictions based on evidence.
- Identify trends and patterns.
- Distinguish between simple correlation and cause-and-effect.
- Demonstrate appropriate preparation to participate in outdoor field activities involving sampling, observing and characterizing island natural history features.
- Participate in field activities and use appropriate equipment to conduct the field activities.
- Demonstrate safe and appropriate behavior while conducting field activities.
- Use keys and resource books to identify organisms and their activities in the field.
- Provide evidence of accurate behavioral and organismic interaction observation skill.
- Report the results of outdoor studies conducted during the class.
- Describe how living and non-living factors interact on the island.
- Identify the abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem.
- Describe the niche concept.
- Differentiate between a community and an ecosystem.
- List components of an ecosystem.
- Describe the role of producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, scavenger, parasite, and decomposer in an ecosystem.
- Describe energy flow in an ecosystem.
- Relate the concept of food web and food chain to trophic levels.
- Explain the cycling of nutrients, such as nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus, through an ecosystem.
- Describe the process of natural selection as it operates to refine the fit between an organism and its habitat.
- Recognize that all organisms have an impact on their surroundings.
- Relate physical environmental factors to the kinds of organisms found in a community.
- Describe the various factors that influence how biotic communities interact and change over time, especially regarding the Wolf-Moose interaction on the island.
- Recognize the key species of plants on the island.
- Recognize the key species of animals on the island.
- Understand how severe weather through the year affects the abundance and activity of various species.
- Identify the reasons for the cyclical nature of the Wolf-Moose interaction.
- Explain how man has affected the island habitat.
- Project future of plant and animal interactions on the island
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