Urban Ecosystem Biodiversity Assignment(1)

.docx

School

Roosevelt University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

112

Subject

Geography

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by KidInternet8651

Urban Ecosystem Biodiversity Investigation Introduction: The iNaturalist app provides the opportunity to analyze a dataset that is novel in its scope and design. For this assignment you will use iNaturalist to investigate a question about biodiversity in urban ecosystems. It is up to you to select an independent and dependent variable for this investigation. You will need to: - select a research question - use an additional data source to back up your selection of data - collect a large enough sample size to do a statistical analysis - complete a write up of your investigation using a scientific manuscript format Methods 1. Select an independent variable. What two sets of data will you compare? 2. Use additional online tools to find locations that meet your criteria for both groups. Some examples: ● USGS Land Cover Viewer = https://gis1.usgs.gov/csas/gap/viewer/land_cover/Map.aspx ● US Census Dot Map = https://demographics.virginia.edu/DotMap/ ● Economics and Education Map = http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/local/2013/11/09/washington-a-world-apart/ 3. Set up a spreadsheet to record your data. 4. Find and record the latitude and longitude for each location using this tool: ● https://www.latlong.net/ 5. Select a dependent variable. It might require some time on inaturalist looking at what data is available. 6. From your independent and dependent variable craft your research question and hypothesis. 6. Create a quadrat box on iNaturalist to collect your data. The iNaturalist URL below includes latitude and longitude data for two corners, a northeast corner and southwest corner . When you go to this URL it will have a box and data about the observations in the box. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat= 42.772219 &nelng= - 80.970189 &place_id=any&swlat= 42.872219 &swlng= -81.790189 7. Use the latitude and longitude you found for your locations to calculate a latitude and longitude for the other corner of the box. It is best if you select an amount you want each to be (add +.005 or something) 8. Edit the URL to create the box you are looking for. Change the numbers in Red and Pink. 9. Record your data from iNaturalist 10. Analyze your data. 11. Create appropriate visual representations to represent your data. Experiment Write up Must Include:

An Introduction to your investigation: - What you chose to research - Question and Hypothesis - Why this was chosen - How you feel it fits into the bigger picture - Urban Ecology Methods - What did you do? - How would someone replicate it? - How did you ensure your data collection was robust and rigorous? Results - What summarized data did you collect? Conlusion - What is the answer to the question you investigated? - What challenges might have compromised your results? - What further investigation could be done?

Example Research Question Using iNaturalist Observations https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/bcosentino/squirrelmapper/about/research The question ... So-called "gray squirrels" and "black squirrels" are two color morphs of the same species: Sciurus carolinensis . Until 150 years ago, the black morph was much more abundant . Yet now the black morph is rare, except in cities. Why has the black morph declined? Why does it linger in cities? Will it return again to the countryside? The landscape is changing rapidly. Will the gray squirrel, and other mammals like it, be able to adapt quickly enough? Genetics Only a tiny genetic difference separates black versus gray morphs. All individuals contain a gene, MC1R, that controls how much dark pigment is added as a squirrel's hairs grow. When a tiny piece of DNA is missing from this gene, it boosts production of dark pigment and makes the fur darker. When a squirrel has a single copy of the gene with the small piece of DNA deleted, or two copies of that altered gene, its fur is mostly black. Technically, the black morph is melanic . The gray morph has two copies of the complete gene. A tiny genetic difference, but being black or gray could have many consequences if you are a squirrel! Contemporary evolution

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help