SEE-U 2000: Black Rock Forest - Module 1:Exercise 1

General Methadology for Instructors and TAs
## Exercise 1: Global Biomes and Introduction to Recent Technology Module 1: Introduction to Global Biomes Printer format During the morning lecture, instructor expands on the biological basis of local and global biome variability, focusing heavily on regional and global biodiversity. Review the findings of the previous days and place them in the greater context of the diversity of both EDF and other biomes. If possible, incorporate data from other SEE-U programs, as well as published measures of biodiversity in other biomes. If time permits, discuss non-species based measures of diversity (e.g. community or landscape diversity) Discuss the independent research projects that they will have to do this semester. Bring up some potential projects. Activity A: Introduction to GPS Students are shown how to use handheld GPS units. A brief orienteering session is held to acquaint students with navigating with maps and GPS units. Students meet with Dr. Gompper for a brief overview of radiotelemetry and raccoon ecology at BRF. Students assist Dr. Gompper in locating raccoon dens using radiotelemetry, and in gaining a GPS locality of the den for later GIS work. Students are asked to hypothesize about ideal raccoon denning habitat. Activity B: Introduction to GIS Students are introduced to GIS theory, the software program ArcView, and ArcView maps of BRF Students enter GPS localities into ArcView format, for overlay on BRF maps and data analysis. Review hypothesis testing, using the following example Hypotheses to test Raccoons prefer a particular habitat for denning. Independent variables in the experiment Activity B: habitat type (e.g. slope, proximity to water, dominant tree species in area) Dependent variables that they could use in their experimental design: Activity B: den locality Students will be evaluated by having them write up two short lab reports in large groups. Report 1 will be no longer than 3 pages and should include analyses of the global measures of biodiversity as a function of biome diversity. Report 2 will be no longer than 3 pages and should include analyses of raccoon habitat use.