Introduction to Environmental Science with Lab

EXERCISE

1.Use of the Microscope

a.The non-science majors way of the microscope

2.Intro to Ecology and Pond Study

a.Becoming acquainted with ecological terminology

b.Microscopic examination of pond water for flora and fauna

c.Prepared slides of common pond organisms

3.Ecological Modifications in Plants and Animals

a.Modifications of plants and animals for success in theirhabitats.

b.Xerophytic, mesophytic and hydrophytic plant leaves

c.Examples of animal modifications

4.Paleoecology

a.Reconstructing ancient environments

5.Shelford’s Law of Tolerance #1

a.Effects of environmental perturbations on populations;

the effects of radiation and thermal pollution

6.Shelford’s Law of Tolerance #2

a.Effects of acid precipitation on population growth

b.Effects of toxic substances on population growth

c.Laboratory exercises illustrating the concepts of pH

7.Symbiosis

a.Illustrations and examples of the symbiotic relationships of mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism

8.Predator-Prey Relationships

a.A classic example in population biology - the snowshoe hare and Canada lynx

9.The Wolf - An Endangered Species

a.An attempt to understand a controversial predator

b.Using Internet data to track radio-collared wolves

10.Ecological Sampling-a Forest Ecosystem

a.The point-quarter method to gather data to generate basic ecological statistical information

11.Ecological Sampling-a Meadow Ecosystem

a.The quadrat method for sampling vegetation is used to gather basic ecological information

12.Dangerous Plants and Animals I

a.Plants and animals that are harmful to humans

b.Phyla: Protozoa, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, and Aschelminthes

13.Dangerous Plants and Animals II

a. Phylum Arthropoda

14. Biology Scavenger Hunt

15. Your Environmental Inventory