{"id":225,"date":"2016-08-04T13:50:13","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T13:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/?page_id=225"},"modified":"2020-10-27T15:18:43","modified_gmt":"2020-10-27T19:18:43","slug":"biodiversity-and-ecosystem-function","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/inference-module\/biodiversity-and-ecosystem-function\/","title":{"rendered":"Biodiversity & ecosystem function"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this module, we will explore the links between biodiversity and the ecosystem. In doing this, we will also practice methods of scientific inquiry, moving from theory or observation to a question and hypothesis and the design of an experiment. We will begin with discussions of BEF, including a history of the field and the controversies surrounding it. Then we then analyze a long-term dataset from the Cedar Creek Biodiversity Experiment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In teams, you will formulate a question and hypothesis and analyze the data. Did you find support for your hypothesis? What new question has arisen through your analysis? What kind of data would you need to answer this question? You will then propose an experiment or observational study in order to answer this question. At the end of the module, you will present your journey, and how you progressed from a question, theory or observation to a new question and a proposed experiment or observational study. Details of the module are below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEF Module Assignment <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Part 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In your group, discuss BEF theories and the controversies that surround them. What theory could you test with data from a long-term biodiversity experiment? How can you incorporate time<\/strong> into this consideration? For example, does a long-term dataset address any of the perceived concerns about BEF?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Each group will:<\/p>\n

1) State a question and hypothesis<\/p>\n

2) Define an analytical approach<\/p>\n

3) Analyze data<\/p>\n

4) Present your results in a figure or figures<\/p>\n

5) Interpret your findings<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Data and Metadata:<\/p>\n

You have access to data from the Cedar Creek Biodiversity Experiment that spans 22 years. \u00a0There are two datasets, R code and metadata:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Aboveground biomass \u2013 BIO_II_biomass<\/a><\/p>\n

Soil carbon \u2013 BIO_II_soil_carbon<\/a><\/p>\n

Example code for analysis and graphing \u2013 Bio II<\/a><\/p>\n

BIO II METADATA for details \u2013 BIO II METADATA<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 2.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many experiments are inspired by patterns (or the lack of pattern) from previous observations or experiments. Using your findings\/results\/questions from part 1, design an experiment, observational study (or some kind of hybrid) to address your original question or address a new question that arose during the course of your study. This experiment can be as elaborate and complex as you\u2019d like it to be, as long as it *could* be achieved and allows you to address the question you pose. Consult the literature to see what kinds of experiments already exist and what evidence may already exist to support your hypothesis.<\/p>\n

6. Describe the knowledge gap or surprise (i.e. what your analysis did or did not show, or what the literature lacks)<\/p>\n

7. State (or restate) your question and hypothesis<\/p>\n

8. Design and experiment or study to address this question<\/p>\n

Add these components to Part 1 and turn in one paper (~3 pages), and give one presentation (5 min) of your journey of discovery. Due on November 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Date<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Topic and Activity<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Readings and homework<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Tuesday Oct 20<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Introduction to module and BEF<\/p>\n

Discussion of Tilman et al. 2014<\/p>\n

ECOL 8000- BEF Module<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Read prior to class and come ready to discuss:<\/p>\n

Tilman et al. 2014<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Thursday Oct 22<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Discussion of the BEF debate.<\/p>\n

Introduce Assignment<\/p>\n

ECOL 8000 - BEF debate<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Read prior to class and come ready to discuss:<\/p>\n

Wardle 2016<\/a><\/p>\n

Eisenhauer et al. 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Tuesday Oct 27<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Work on assignment in groups (Part 1)<\/p>\n

Feedback from Nina and JP<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Work on assignment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Thursday Oct 29<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Work on assignment in groups (Part 2)<\/p>\n

Feedback from Nina and JP<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Work on assignment<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Tuesday Nov 3<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Presentations of your findings and class discussion<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Due: 3 page paper <\/strong>and ~5-10 minute presentation<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this module, we will explore the links between biodiversity and the ecosystem. In doing this, we will also practice methods of scientific inquiry, moving from theory or observation to a question and hypothesis and the design of an experiment. We will begin with discussions of BEF, including a history of the field and the Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":43,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-225","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=225"}],"version-history":[{"count":68,"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1566,"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/225\/revisions\/1566"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.ecology.uga.edu\/ecol8000-fall2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}