The lesson on complex systems - Ecology and population regulation The AP Bio students need to apply science practices throughout the course and the approach to complex systems will really help to give a solid foundation to this. For the summer assignment, the students have been asked to read either Serengetis rules or Inner Fish. This lesson is designed for early on in the course with an introduction to complex systems and data analysis. Introduction 5-10 minutes: look at murmuration video (one species/population exhibiting complex behaviour) and reflect on what they see followed by an opportunity to discuss what they may already know about complex systems. Activity 1 - 15 - 20 minutes - watch the first 5 minutes of Serengeti video to get a flavour of its diversity. Then look at the data on the populations of Wildebeest - Looking at population regulation as a dynamic interaction. Activity 2 - 5 minutes what other factors may influence the populations on the Serengeti - brainstorm - (leading to predation, food, density-dependent and independent factors - not labelling them like this at this stage) Activity 3 - 10 minutes -Bottom-up or TOP down-regulation - % chance of predation of herbivores - analyse data and link to factors affecting population size Activity 4 Watch Keystone species video and model trophic cascades - 50 minutes (lesson 2) - the concept of agents with different roles having a significant effect on the population. Activity 5 Complete the Claim Evidence Reasoning task 15 minutes (homework) Pear Deck Slides link. hhHHMI resources were used
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/125uEvZBP_b-aXk9EMum4k4LXLCDIZi04Dv-JLeQGjns/edit?usp=sharing