STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS

Part 1: Individual instructions for each group

Group that receives Figure 3.1

Read through this page of directions and information thoroughly before examining the accompanying figure.

Individually examine Figure 3.1 and understand what the axes and data points mean. Attempt to make a conclusion about what information the figure is trying to get across. After everyone has completed this, talk amongst your group to discuss details of the figure and come to a consensus regarding the message the authors wanted to convey with the data presented in the figure. You will need to understand the information thoroughly as you will be teaching others about it shortly. Recall and share with your group any issues or difficulties you may have had with the figure so everyone will be prepared to explain such issues to others if they happen to arise. Perhaps practice teaching it to each other within your group. For example, ask your fellow students: why does the dependent variable decline in June-Aug?

Your figure is from a paper by Pearson, McKelvey, and Ruggiero published in the journal Oecologia in 2000. The researchers examined what role the larvae of gall flies play in the diets of deer mice across a seasonal gradient. The results of their study are an important piece in the ecological puzzle we will be piecing together to understand the unintended indirect effects of an introduced biological control agent.

Gall flies (Urophora species) were introduced in the early 1970s as biological control agents. These biocontrol agents were intended to control populations of the invasive spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa. This species of knapweed has spread throughout the western portion of the United States and can be highly problematic on rangelands and within natural areas. The biocontrol agents successfully reduced seed production of the knapweed. However, as you have seen, impacts on individual levels of fitness (success) do not necessarily translate into impacts on populations. The biocontrol agents do not effectively control populations of knapweed. However, the introduced gall flies, because knapweed still exists, continue to persist and have indirect effects on food webs and can potentially indirectly affect human health.

Group that receives Figure 3.2:

Read through this page of directions and information thoroughly before examining the accompanying figure.

Individually examine Figure 3.2 and understand what the axes and data points mean. Attempt to make a conclusion about what information the figure is trying to get across. After everyone has completed this, talk amongst your group to discuss details of the figure and come to a consensus regarding the message the authors wanted to convey with the data presented in the figure. You will need to understand the information thoroughly as you will be teaching others about it shortly. Recall and share with your group any issues or difficulties you may have had with the figure so everyone will be prepared to explain such issues to others if they happen to arise. Perhaps practice teaching it to each other within your group.

Your figure is from a paper by Pearson and Callaway published in the journal Ecology Letters in 2006. The researchers examined populations of knapweed (in low and high densities). One of the objectives of their study was to determine if there are differences in the presence of gall flies based on occurrence of knapweed (the species of invasive plant gall flies were introduced to control). Under low density conditions, knapweed was estimated to be present in <2% of the study site. At the high density study sites, knapweed was estimated to represent >20% of the vegetation. They wanted to know if more knapweed leads to more gall flies. The results of their study are an important piece in the ecological puzzle we will be piecing together to understand the unintended indirect effects of an introduced biological control agent.

Gall flies (Urophora species) were introduced in the early 1970s as biological control agents. These biocontrol agents were intended to control populations of the invasive spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa. This species of knapweed has spread throughout the western portion of the United States and can be highly problematic on rangelands and within natural areas. The biocontrol agents successfully reduced seed production of the knapweed. However, as you have seen, impacts on individual levels of fitness (success) do not necessarily translate into impacts on populations. The biocontrol agents do not effectively control populations of knapweed. However, the introduced gall flies, because knapweed still exists, continue to persist and have indirect effects on food webs and can potentially indirectly affect human health.

Group that receives Figure 3.3:

Read through this page of directions and information thoroughly before examining the accompanying figure.

Individually examine Figure 3.3 and understand what the axes and data points mean. Attempt to make a conclusion about what information the figure is trying to get across. After everyone has completed this, talk amongst your group to discuss details of the figure and come to a consensus regarding the message the authors wanted to convey with the data presented in the figure. You will need to understand the information thoroughly as you will be teaching others about it shortly. Recall and share with your group any issues or difficulties you may have had with the figure so everyone will be prepared to explain such issues to others if they happen to arise. Perhaps practice teaching it to each other within your group.

Your figure is from a paper by Pearson and Callaway published in the journal Ecology Letters in 2006. The researchers examined populations of knapweed (in low and high densities). One of the objectives of their study was to determine if mice are present in different abundances based on the abundances of the knapweed. Further, the researchers were also interested in the nature of the mice that were present in these knapweed populations. In particular, they wanted to know if these mice were seropositive (carriers of hantavirus), how many mice were seropositive, and what proportion of the mice present were seropositive (all in relation to the density of knapweed). The results of their study are an important piece in the ecological puzzle we will be piecing together to understand the unintended indirect effects of an introduced biological control agent.

Gall flies (Urophora species) were introduced in the early 1970s as biological control agents. These biocontrol agents were intended to control populations of the invasive spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa. This species of knapweed has spread throughout the western portion of the United States and can be highly problematic on rangelands and within natural areas. The biocontrol agents successfully reduced seed production of the knapweed. However, as you have seen, impacts on individual levels of fitness (success) do not necessarily translate into impacts on populations. The biocontrol agents do not effectively control populations of knapweed. However, the introduced gall flies, because knapweed still exists, continue to persist and have indirect effects on food webs and can potentially indirectly affect human health.

Part 2: Instructions for everyone

Step two - Mixed groups:

Each group member should have a different piece of information that no one else in the group has knowledge of. Your responsibility is to now teach your group the piece of information you are an expert on so the entire group can understand how the introduced biological control agents (gall flies) can have the potential to indirectly affect human health.