Using Algal Microcosms in Introductory Biology Lab. II: The Influence of Biodiversity on Ecosystem Productivity

Autor/inn/en	Wise, Michael J.; Collins, Rachel
Titel	Using Algal Microcosms in Introductory Biology Lab. II: The Influence of Biodiversity on Ecosystem Productivity
Quelle	In: Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching, 46 (2020) 2, S.40-49 (10 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1539-2422
Schlagwörter	Ecology; Biology; Science Instruction; Teaching Methods; Laboratory Experiments; Plants (Botany); Biodiversity; Introductory Courses; Conservation (Environment); Inquiry; Scientific Principles; Measurement; Taxonomy; Undergraduate Students + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ökologie; Biologie; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Laboratory work; Laborarbeit; Pflanze; Biodiversität; Einführungskurs; Conservation; Environment; Konservierung; Bewahung; Umwelt; Messverfahren; Taxonomie
Abstract	Because the escalating loss of species is one of the most serious environmental crises we face, it is vital that students of biology comprehend and can communicate the roles that biodiversity plays in the functioning of ecosystems. Here, we report on a laboratory experiment that has been highly successful in our introductory biology courses at demonstrating the role of biodiversity in the productivity of ecosystems. Students created microcosms consisting of six species of phytoplankton grown separately (monocultures) and in mixtures (polycultures) in 50-mL beakers. On average, monocultures were less productive than three-species polycultures, which in turn were less productive than six-species polycultures. However, the productivity of the polycultures was generally no greater than the productivity of the most productive monocultures--a result that suggests a lack of positive ecological interactions (e.g., facilitation or niche complementarity). In contrast, there was some evidence of negative interactions among species (e.g., predation and allelopathy) that caused some polycultures to be less productive than monocultures of their constituent species. Performing this structured-inquiry experiment provided students with an opportunity to apply aspects of the scientific method in a non-trivial manner to address issues of relevance to both basic ecology principles and applied disciplines with economic significance. [For "Using Algal Microcosms in Introductory Biology Lab. I: The Influence of Nutrient Levels on the Biodiversity of an Ecological Community," see EJ1285501.] (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Association of College and Biology Educators. Web site: http://acube.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01