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.