Description

Strange intruders are invading our part of the world, threatening our environment and our economy. These newcomers and their impact on our ecological balance are the focus of Invasion Ecology, a guide to learning skills for investigating the behaviors on non-native and native species. Studying invaders such as zebra mussels, chestnut blight, purple loosestrife, and Phragmites, you will explore how scientists are fighting these aggressors with biological controls. This Student Edition has three sections:

(1) Background on the science of ecology and its place in the control of invasive species

(2) Protocols for practicing methods that scientists use in monitoring invasive species, such as early detection surveys, plot sampling, transect surveys, and decomposition studies

(3) A series of helpful worksheets to guide you through your own interactive research

Invasion Ecology is the second volume in the four-part Environmental Inquiry curriculum series, designed to show you how to apply scientific knowledge to solving real-life problems.

Table of Contents

STUDENT EDITION

sciLINKS
PREFACE

SECTION 1. UNDERSTANDING INVASION ECOLOGY

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
What Are Invasive Species?
What Is the Science of Ecology?
Types of Ecology
Introduced, Invasive Species
Invasive Species Threaten Biodiversity
What about Native Invasive Species?
Controlling Invasive Species
For Discussion

CHAPTER 2. POPULATION ECOLOGY
The Purple Loosestrife Story
How Many? Abundance
Population Growth
Where? Distribution
For Discussion

CHAPTER 3. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
Who Feeds on Whom?
Food Chains and Food Webs
Competition
Disturbance and Succession
White-Tailed Deer
Community Ecology, Population Ecology, and Invasive Species
For Discussion
Invasive Species Profile

CHAPTER 4. ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
Energy Flow in Ecosystems
The Carbon Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle
Earthworm Invasion
Zebra Mussels
Tamarisk
For Discussion
Conclusion
References

SECTION 2. INVASION ECOLOGY PROTOCOLS— INTRODUCING RESEARCH

OVERVIEW

INVASION ECOLOGY PROTOCOLS

PROTOCOL 1. EARLY DETECTION SURVEYS
Early Detection Survey Data Form 1: Field Results
Early Detection Survey Data Form 2: Summary
Early Detection Survey: Questions

PROTOCOL 2. PLOT SAMPLING—DENSITY AND PERCENT COVER
Part 1. Locating Sample Plots—Random and Stratified Sampling
Part 2. Building Quadrat Frames
Part 3. Plot Sampling
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Plot Sampling Data Form 1: Density and Percent Cover
Plot Sampling Data Form 2: Summary
Plot Sampling: Questions

PROTOCOL 3. TRANSECT SURVEYS
Transect Survey Data Form 1: Field Results
Transect Survey Data Form 2: Summary
Transect Survey: Questions

PROTOCOL 4. MEASURING DECOMPOSITION USING SODA LIME
Protocol 4a. Obtaining Soil and Worms
Protocol 4b. Determining Soil Moisture Content
Protocol 4c. Measuring CO2 Using Soda Lime
Measuring Decomposition Using Soda Lime Data Form 1: Soil Moisture Content
Measuring Decomposition Using Soda Lime Data Form 2: Blanks
Measuring Decomposition Using Soda Lime Data Form 3: Samples
Measuring Decomposition Using Soda Lime Data Form 4: Summary

PROTOCOL 5. MEASURING DECOMPOSITION USING A TITRATION
Measuring Decomposition Using Titration Data Form 1: Samples
Measuring Decomposition Using Titration Data Form 2: Summary
Measuring CO2 Production (Soda Lime or Titration): Questions

PROTOCOL PLANNING AND REVIEW FORMS
Protocol Planning Form
Data Analysis Peer Review Form

SECTION 3. BEYOND PROTOCOLS— CONDUCTING INTERACTIVE RESEARCH

IDEAS FOR INVASION ECOLOGY RESEARCH
Early Detection Surveys and Long-Term Monitoring
Plot Sampling and Transect Surveys Decomposition Studies
Decomposition Studies

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE PROJECTS
Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife—Background
Part 1. Baseline Plot Sampling on Release Site
Part 2. Growing Purple Loosestrife
Part 3. Raising Purple Loosestrife Beetles
Part 4. Releasing Beetles
Part 5. Monitoring Insect Populations
Part 6. Monitoring Impact of Beetles on Purple Loosestrife Populations
Related Interactive Research Projects
Purple Loosestrife Data Form 1: Site Location
Purple Loosestrife Data Form 2: Fall Plot Sampling
Purple Loosestrife Data Form 3: Insect Abundance
Purple Loosestrife Data Form 4: Spring Plot Sampling

PHRAGMITES PROJECTS
Phragmites Insect Survey Background
Phragmites Interactive Research
Part 1. Stand Description and Sampling
Part 2. Collecting Stems
Part 3. Dissecting the Stems
Related Interactive Research Projects
Phragmites Data Form 1: Site Description
Phragmites Data Form 2: Sampling Plots
Phragmites Data Form 3: Insects

INTERACTIVE RESEARCH FORMS
Planning Research
• Choosing a Research Topic
• Interactive Research Planning Form 1
• Interactive Research Planning Form 2
Presenting Research Results
• Research Report Form
• Poster Design Guidelines
Peer Review
• Research Design Peer Review Form
• Research Report Peer Review Form
• Poster Peer Review Form