Analyzing Patterns in the Savanna Landscape

Topic

Resource Type

Level

High School — General High School — AP/IB College

Duration

00:07:57

Saved By

13 Users

View in Spanish

Description

This video showcases the work of mathematician-turned-biologist Corina Tarnita, who uses quantitative approaches to understand the role of termite mounds in the savanna ecosystem.

Termite mounds are biological hotspots that concentrate nutrients and water in semiarid savanna ecosystems. When viewed from above, the mounds form a strikingly regular polka-dot pattern. Tarnita uses mathematical modeling to explain the regularity of this pattern, how it arises, and how the mounds enhance the stability of the ecosystem.

The accompanying “Student Worksheet” incorporates concepts and information from the video.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

Student Learning Targets

Examine research practices.
Develop scientific explanations and justify claims using evidence.
Explain what spatial patterns can reveal about ecosystems.

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period to complete the associated handout.

Key Terms

ecosystem resilience, geometry, mathematics, termite mound

Primary Literature

Bonachela Juan A., Robert M. Pringle, Efrat Sheffer, Tyler C. Coverdale, Jennifer A. Guyton, Kelly K. Caylor, Simon A. Levin, Corina E. Tarnita, 2015. Ecological feedbacks. Termite mounds can increase the robustness of dryland ecosystems to climatic change. Science 347, 6222 (2015): 651-5. https://doi.org10.1126/science.1261487.