Week_1_Ecology

K103 Lab Week 1 Overview

Instructor Introduction

  • Dr. Tiara Moore

    • Environmental scientist at The Nature Conservancy

    • Research focuses on:

      • Environmental conservation

      • Field ecology

      • Eutrophication and acidification

      • Nutrient cycling in marine sediments using environmental DNA (eDNA)

    • Mentorship:

      • Focus on increasing diversity in science

      • Programs supporting minority women

    • Founder of:

      • A WOC SPACE: Workshops, personal training, and outreach

      • #BlackinMarineScience: Amplifying Black voices in marine science

Class Overview

  • General overview of course expectations, lab safety, and design

Student Expectations

  • Arrive on time to class

  • Notify instructor of absences promptly via email: mtorabi@iu.edu

  • Review syllabus, lab schedule, and announcements before class

  • Engage with materials ahead of time (reading/watching)

  • Maintain patience and respect in interactions

  • Strive for excellence in all activities

TA Expectations

  • Begin classes on time and open doors early

  • Announce upcoming week details by Friday

  • Respond to emails promptly during office hours (9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Mon-Fri)

  • Return graded assignments within 1-2 weeks post due date

  • Practice patience and respect

Lab Safety & Disposal Guidelines

  • Mandatory Safety Gear:

    • Eye protection

    • Closed-toe shoes

    • Long pants

    • Gloves

  • Sanitation:

    • Clean area upon entering/leaving lab

  • Organism Disposal:

    • Live organisms returned to labeled containers

    • Dead organisms disposed of in fume hood in labeled beakers

K103 Lab Grade Breakdown

  • Lab Exams (Total: 140 pts):

    • Exam 1: 50 pts

    • Exam 2: 40 pts

    • Exam 3: 50 pts

  • Attendance:

    • 2 pts per class (excluding exam days), max 20 pts

  • Assignments (Total: 45 pts):

    • Environmental Ecology: 10 pts

    • iWorx Reflexes: 5 pts

    • Special Senses: 10 pts

    • Immunology: 5 pts

    • iWorx Grip Strength: 5 pts

    • iWorx Circulation: 5 pts

    • iWorx Respiration: 5 pts

Required Materials

  • Safety Goggles:

    • Standard chemistry goggles acceptable

  • Photographic Zoology Lab Atlas (available on TopHat)

  • Office Software:

    • Microsoft or Google Office

Ecology Overview

  • Introduction to ecological topics to be covered during the course

Key Ecological Concepts

Definition of Ecology

  • Interactions between populations of organisms and their environment

Important Ecological Factors

  • Atmospheric conditions:

    • Land ice

    • Sulfate aerosols

    • Cloud fractions

    • Precipitation

    • Humidity

    • Evaporative demand

  • Species Interactions:

    • Distributions, migrations, and phenology

    • Biodiversity hotspots and ecosystem hydrology

    • Biogeochemical cycles and energy flows

Trophic Levels and Energy Transfer

  • Pyramid of Energy:

    • Primary Producers (Plants, Algae, Cyanobacteria)

    • Primary Consumers (Herbivores)

    • Secondary Consumers (Carnivores)

    • Tertiary Consumers (Top Carnivores)

    • Energy Transfer Efficiency:

      • Approximately 10% energy transfer between trophic levels

Pollution and Its Effects

Garbage Patch

  • Great Pacific Garbage Patch Size:

    • Covers approximately 1.6 million km²

    • Size equivalents: Twice Texas or Three times France

  • Impact on Marine Life:

    • Annual impact on 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals

Climate Change Solutions

  • Carbon Sequestration Projects:

    • Example: Net Zero Teesside undersea carbon capture

  • Alternative Feeding for Cows:

    • Seaweed to reduce methane emissions

  • Technological Innovations:

    • Remote working, improved data center use, and energy efficiency for households

Animal Behavior Insights

Behaviors to Observe

  • Predatory Behavior:

    • Hunting instincts (e.g., cats stalking mice)

  • Maternal Care:

    • Nursing behaviors and care by mother dogs

  • Building Lore:

    • Construction of nests by birds and wasps

  • Thermoregulatory Behavior:

    • Lizards sunning themselves for body temperature regulation

  • Escape Responses:

    • Prey behavior in response to predators (e.g., rabbits and foxes)

Types of Animal Behavior

  • Innate Behaviors:

    • Kineses, Taxes (phototaxis, rheotaxis, chemotaxis, gravitaxis)

  • Learned Behaviors:

    • Fixed action patterns

Species Evaluation Assignment

  • Analyze behaviors of five species:

    • Lion, Meerkat, Tiger, Orangutan, Hippopotamus

  • Tasks include interpreting observed behaviors and predicting climate change impacts on species.

  • Complete assignment by January 17th, 11:59 PM, via Canvas.

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