Title: LAB - Patchy Prairies
Course: BIO-182 RTZ > Section: week 15 - Conservation Biology

LAB: PATCHY PRAIRIES

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BACKGROUND INFO: Conservation biologists often use simulation models to predict how an ecosystem will behave under different conditions, the effect of various parameters. They use information gathered from these models to make informed decisions about the best course of action to best manage the habitat in question.

This lab is modeled on an actual study conducted in Oregon to develop a restoration plan of habitat critical for the survival of the endangered Fender's Blue butterfly.  In this lab, you will use and modify a simulation model of butterflies in a patchy prairies system to investigate the challenges of the butterfly AND to explore the usefulness of models to develop and test possible conservation strategies.

- The OBJECTIVE is to determine the value of using models (simulations) to develop and test conservation strategies.
- INTRODUCTION is just that. In this section, the authors provide an overview of the plight of the butterflies and their highly fragmented habitat. They also describe the use of and value of simulations (models) in predicting how a system will behave, to test conservation strategies, and in identifying the data needed to understand a system.
- The first part of the lab encompasses Exercises 1 – 4.  Complete all four exercises. Develop a separate document on which to answer the questions you encounter along the way.
  - Exercise 1 – introduces modeling with a simulation regarding butterfly survivorship. Clearly identify the question and use complete sentences when answering the following: 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 – 5.4, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, 10.1, 11.1, 11.2 and 12.
  - Exercise 2 - Tests the impact of cyclic disturbance events on the survival of butterflies. Answer the following questions: 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 – 3.3, and 4.
  - Exercise 3 – conducting a sensitivity analysis to determine when a model is sensitive to a specific parameter. That is you’re working towards developing accurate models. Provide answers to the following questions: 4.1, 6.1, 7.1 – 7.3, 8.1, 9.1 – 9.6, and 10.
  - Exercise 4 – is an application activity. Using the knowledge gained from the previous three exercises complete this activity. Answer questions 6.1, 8.1 – 8.3.
- In Part 2 of this activity, you are to determine which parameters are critical to determining optimal patch connections. Be sure to clearly state what question(s) you are asking and how you will approach getting to the answer.  When you are done, you will present your findings as a letter and short report to the River to Ridges Partnership. See pages 21 – 22 for more specific directions.

TURN IN:

- On a separate document, answers to all questions listed above.
- AND your letter/report to the River to Ridges Partnership (on same document you created to answer the questions listed).