The previous Human Overpopulation Lab leads
into this
exploration of one of the ecosystems that
researchers included in Biosphere
2. This field-based lab takes students
out into a brackish water marsh ecosystem to
explore the biological diversity
and physical factors that make up the marsh
ecosystem. During this lab students do a
marsh profile
of organisms and soil types & structure in
various parts of the marsh. They also
measure physical properties of the
marsh such as water/soil pH, temperature, DO,
salinity, and collect benthic and
planktonic organisms for study back in the
lab.
The lab is intended to get students to reflect
more deeply on the
complexity of this system and the interactions
between the biotic and abiotic
factors that shape it. This lab could
also serve as the basis for a multi week
independent investigation in which students
test hypotheses about how physical parameters
influence population size, biodiversity, or
zonation of organisms living in the marsh
environment.
Conceptual Learning Objectives
- Upon completion of this lab, students should be
able to
discuss the interconnections
between abiotic and biotic factors which shape an
ecosystem.
discuss the variety of
ecosystem services produced by the marsh ecosystem
and why they are essential to all life (including
humans) on earth.
test hypotheses about
how biological and physical factors influence
aspects of biodiversity.
understand how species
composition is affected by (and effects) physical
parameters such as dissolved oxygen, soil structure
and composition, salinity, and tidal disturbance
regimes.
appreciate the complexity of
a seemingly homogeneous ecosystem like the salt
marsh and its connections to other ecosystems.
Scientific Skills - in this lab students
will
learn field techniques for
exploring physical and biological features of
ecosystems
field data recording
develop skills in the use
and care sophisticated sensor equipment in the
field.