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Habitat Selection, Invasive Species & Student Research Project

Habitat Selection, Invasive Species & Student Research Project. Habitat. Habitat Selection. Why is understanding habitat selection important?. Research Project. Research question: Are different ant species selecting for different habitat types around campus?

kirsten-horn
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Habitat Selection, Invasive Species & Student Research Project

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  1. Habitat Selection, Invasive Species&Student Research Project

  2. Habitat

  3. Habitat Selection

  4. Why is understanding habitat selection important?

  5. Research Project • Research question: Are different ant species selecting for different habitat types around campus? • We’re particularly interested in one species

  6. What do you think is limiting its expansion westward? Northward?

  7. Characteristics of Invasive species • High reproductive potential • Highly competitive for resources (aggressive) • Habitat generalists • Lack biotic control (predators) • Based on general theory, would we expect fire ants to be restricted in habitat type? • Would you expect them to prefer a habitat type?

  8. Methods • Sample ants using a standard method • Why do we use standard methods in science? • Each student will choose a location to sample • Samples placed in individual ziploc bags • Record on bags your name, class period, and GPS coordinates • Ants will be dried and transferred to new bags, then identified and counted in class • Why will I dry and transfer them?

  9. Results • Samples will be grouped into pre-defined habitat types • Presence/absence among habitat types will be used to infer habitat selection • number of captures among habitat types will be used to infer habitat preferences (if any)

  10. Product • Each person will write a ~2 page scientific paper, following standard scientific writing formatting • I’ll give you a template

  11. Hypotheses • State your hypotheses on handout • 1. I hypothesize that RIFA will/will not be present in all habitat types • 2. I hypothesize that RIFA will/will not prefer a habitat type

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