Calculating Biodiversity Lab PDF

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Calculating Biodiversity Lab...

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Calculating Biodiversity Lab Background Measuring biodiversity is an excellent way to determine an ecosystem’s overall health. In this lab, you will collect macroinvertebrates in a virtual stream ecosystem and use the data to determine the stream’s biodiversity as a function of water quality. Virtual Lab Link: http://virtualbiologylab.org/NetWebHTML_FilesJan2016/StreamDiversityModel.html

Procedure 1. Leave the settings as they are and click “Go” to begin the stream’s flow. 2. Then click “Open Seine”. 3. Let the simulation run until the collection time is complete. You can adjust the speed bar at the top as needed.

4. When the simulation is complete, take note of the number of total species caught as well as the total catch. Record both numbers in the first row of the data table where pollution level is “severe”. 5. Click “Reset” and change the pollution level to “moderate”. 6. Repeat steps 2-4 and record data points in the next row of the table labeled “moderate”. 7. Finally, click “Reset” and change the pollution level to “none”. 8. Repeat steps 2-4 and record data points in the next row of the table labeled “none”.

Collection Results Species Diversity – No Pollution Caddisfly

Mayfly

Stonefly

11 2 7 Dragonfly Crayfish Sowbug 8 6 3

Rif. Beetle 1

W. Penny 5

Worm 4

Gill Snail Dobsonfly 0

Blackfly 2

3 Midge

4

Leech 3

Cranefly 4 Lung Snail 5

Species Diversity – Moderate Pollution Caddisfly

Mayfly

Stonefly

0 3 0 Dragonfly Crayfish Sowbug 6 9 3

Rif. Beetle 2

W. Penny 0

Worm 6

Gill Snail Dobsonfly 0

Blackfly 3

3 Midge

3

Leech 8

Cranefly 4 Lung Snail 18

Species Diversity – Severe Pollution Caddisfly Mayfly Stonefly 0 0 0 Dragonfly Crayfish Sowbug 4 8 4

Rif. Beetle W. Penny Gill Snail Dobsonfly Cranefly 0 0 0 3 4 Worm Blackfly Midge Leech Lung Snail 37 14 1 3 10

Data biodiversity index=

total species total catch

Pollution Level

Total Species

Total Catch

9

Severe

Moderate

15

None

14

68

Biodiversity Index

0.088

75

72

0.2

0.19

Analysis Questions 1. In your own words, describe a biodiverse ecosystem. Biodiversity is the changeability among living life forms from all sources, including marine, and other oceanic biological systems and the natural edifices of which they are part; this incorporates variety inside species, among species, and of environments. 2. A biodiversity index ranges from zero to one. What does a higher biodiversity index likely indicate regarding the health of an ecosystem? More pollution

3. Why might water quality affect a stream’s biodiversity? Water pollution makes river biodiversity more vulnerable to climate warming. ... The breakdown of organic pollutants such as sewage and farm run-off uses oxygen, meaning that polluted waterways often suffer severe drops in dissolved oxygen levels....