EcoPred: An Educational Individual Based Model to Explain Biological Control, a Case Study within an Arable Land

Autor/inn/en	Benhadi-Marín, Jacinto; Pereira, José Alberto; Sousa, José Paulo; Santos, Sónia A. P.
Titel	EcoPred: An Educational Individual Based Model to Explain Biological Control, a Case Study within an Arable Land
Quelle	In: Journal of Biological Education, 54 (2020) 3, S.271-286 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Benhadi-Marín, Jacinto) ORCID (Pereira, José Alberto) ORCID (Sousa, José Paulo) ORCID (Santos, Sónia A. P.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9266
DOI	10.1080/00219266.2019.1569086
Schlagwörter	Biology; Models; Science Instruction; Teaching Methods; Computer Software; Agricultural Production; Entomology; Ecology; Computer Simulation; Forestry; Energy; Plants (Botany); Secondary School Students; Programming Languages; Student Attitudes; Student Interests; Foreign Countries; Portugal + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Biologie; Analogiemodell; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Agriculture; Production; Landwirtschaft; Produktion; Agrarproduktion; Landwirtschaftliche Produktion; Entomologie; Ökologie; Computergrafik; Computersimulation; Forstwissenschaft; Waldwirtschaft; Energie; Pflanze; Sekundarschüler; Schülerverhalten; Studieninteresse; Ausland
Abstract	Individual based models (IBMs) are up-to-date tools both in research and educational areas. Here we introduce an IBM built on NetLogo platform that simulates a top-down trophic cascade controlled by the pressure exerted by two model predators (web-building spiders and ground runner spiders) on a model pest (the olive fruit fly) within a hypothetical agricultural landscape (the olive crop). EcoPred is an IBM that aims to be an educational tool that can help teachers to explain concepts related to ecology in a modern, enjoyable and comprehensive way. EcoPred reflects the changes on a fly population within a simulated olive crop according to (1) the mortality rate caused by the predation of two spider species and energy loss, (2) the energy gain by feeding on flowers and (3) the reproduction rate in olive trees. The model was tested with 26 students achieving very good results in terms of acceptance and interest on the learning method. EcoPred can be used for educational purposes with 16 year old students and older to explain ecological concepts such as trophic level, species interactions, limiting factor and biological control in an interactive way simultaneously introducing students to biology oriented programming languages. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01