Biodiversity Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory BIL 161 Biodiversity

Biodiversity Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory BIL 161

Biodiversity is the variety of life in a given area, whether an ecosystem or the entire globe.

Biodiversity Various environmental factors can affect a region's overall biodiversity.

Biodiversity Natural factors such as climate or topography can affect biodiversity in a particular region.

Biodiversity Anthropogenic (human-caused) factors also can influence biodiversity

Research Project: Biodiversity Your team will design a survey to explore factors that might affect biodiversity in two different ecosystems.

Research Project: Biodiversity You will investigate natural and anthropogenic factors affecting biodiversity in two ecosystems of your team’s choosing.

Research Project: Biodiversity Your project will be a PILOT STUDY.

Research Project: Biodiversity A PILOT STUDY is a preliminary, smallscale study conducted to test Research protocols Data collection materials Sample recruitment strategies Feasibility …in preparation for a larger study.

Research Project: Biodiversity Your pilot study is intended to allow you to determine whethere is a difference in biodiversity between two systems. (Further research would be needed to fully determine the reasons for any difference found. )

Research Project: Biodiversity Your study will be a SURVEY. You will not manipulate anything in the systems you choose. You will collect data to see if there are existing differences in biodiversity between your two systems.

Project: Biodiversity You will also collect data on as many aspects of both of your systems as possible, such as Temperature p. H Specific gravity/salinity Presence of exotic vs. native species Light intensity etc.

Project: Biodiversity These data on the biotic factors abiotic factors in your two systems …will allow you to hypothesize which factors might influence their biodiversity.

Project: Biodiversity You should then be able to design follow-up studies that would allow you to determine what factors are causing differences in biodiversity. (…though you won’t be doing the follow-up experiment this term. )

Biodiversity: Terms species – a group of similar organisms able to interbreed in nature to produce fertile, viable offspring population – members of the same species living in a defined geographic area

Biodiversity: Terms community – all populations living in a defined geographic area ecosystem – the biotic (living) community interacting with each other and with the abiotic components of the ecosystem

Biodiversity: Terms Microhabitat – a smaller system within an ecosystem that is characterized by specific physical factors. For example… Habitat under rocks Habitat in the sediment Habitat in the water column Habitat in a shaded area Habitat in a sunny area Habitat at various aquatic depths Etc.

Measures of Biodiversity Species richness (S) is a measure of the number of different species found in an ecological system.

Measures of Biodiversity One measure of species richness is Menhinick’s Index (D) S = the number of different species in a sample N = the total number of individual organisms in the sample

Measures of Biodiversity For example You counted 100 organisms in a sample. You identified 20 different species in that sample. D = 20/10 = 2 The higher the index, the higher the species richness.

Measures of Biodiversity Species abundance (a) is the relative representation of a particular species in an ecosystem.

Measures of Biodiversity The abundance of a species is the number of individuals per unit area or volume examined. For example, if you counted 10 Amoeba proteus in a 1 m. L sample of pond water …the abundance of A. proteus would be 10 individuals/m. L.

Measures of Biodiversity The relative abundance (RA) of a species is a measure of how common or rare that species is compared to other species in the system.

Measures of Biodiversity Relative Abundance of a species is

Measures of Biodiversity For example: If you counted 10 Amoeba proteus in your sample And you counted 1000 individuals of all species in your sample Then the RA of A. proteus = 10/1000, or 0. 1 (1% of the species in your sample are A. proteus)

What will you measure? Depending on the question your team asks about your two systems, you will decide to calculate species richness species abundance relative abundance of particular species …or a combination of the above

What will you measure? Your team will decide the appropriate indices that will allow you to interpret your findings in a meaningful way.

Biodiversity: Literature Search A Literature Search is an organized search for published material on a selected topic to… become familiar with the research topic find out what is already known find out what questions still need to be addressed get ideas about how to study the topic

Biodiversity: Literature Search Your online lab manual outlines specific instructions for a Literature Search. Use the template linked to the online syllabus. Your literature search is due next week You and your team will share what you have learned to develop a research topic.

Biodiversity Team Research Your team will confer to select two ecosystems (or microhabitats within an ecosystem) to compare.

Biodiversity Team Research Based on your literature search, you will make a prediction about whether the two systems will differ in biodiversity (and how they might differ).

Biodiversity Team Research Consider abiotic factors Light temperature pollutants Salinity p. H biotic factors presence of invasive exotic species Etc.

Biodiversity Team Research But remember: Even if you have measured many factors that could affect biodiversity, you will not be able to definitively identify one (or more) factors causing the difference with this initial pilot survey project.

Biodiversity Team Research A rigorous follow-up study should allow isolation of one factor at a time to address which factor(s) might be affecting Species richness Species abundance Relative abundance of a particular species

Biodiversity Team Research In your final presentation, you should include a few ideas for follow -up studies relevant to your project. Science never ends with just one experiment.

Biodiversity Team Research In a series of related studies, each can add another piece to a puzzle.

Biodiversity Team Project The lab manual has instructions for sampling either: Aquatic habitats Terrestrial habitats

Biodiversity Team Project If you have access to a microscopes, your team may opt to study aquatic habitats. (hybrid/in person labs)

Biodiversity Team Project Otherwise, your team will survey biodiversity in your choice of terrestrial habitats. (online and hybrid labs)

Biodiversity Team Project Aquatic habitats are abundant in our area (even on campus) and often highly susceptible to anthropogenic influences.

Biodiversity Team Project Terrestrial habitats are also subject to anthropogenic influences, and—like aquatic habitats—can vary with location and natural factors.

Biodiversity Team Project The Lab Manual chapters will allow you to preview the techniques and supplies available for your study of biodiversity, whichever habitats you choose, aquatic or terrestrial.

Questions?