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Biodiversity Studies in Gorongosa

Photo of animals drinking from a watering hole

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Zoology
  • Ecology
  • Communities
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Data Analysis

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Lessons

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
42 Users
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Description

This activity supports using the citizen science platform WildCam Gorongosa in the classroom. It engages students in calculating species richness, evenness, and the Shannon diversity index for various habitat types using data from trail cameras in Gorongosa National Park.

The activity begins with students exploring the variety of habitat types and species in Gorongosa National Park. Students then visit WildCam Lab, a part of WildCam Gorongosa where they can view, filter, and download trail camera data. Using these data, students are guided through various calculations to determine which habitat types host the greatest diversity of species and how biodiversity is affected by human activities. Students are guided through making observations about species diversity and calculating diversity indices using the accompanying spreadsheet tutorial.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.  

Student Learning Targets

  • ​​​​​​Calculate diversity indices (richness, Shannon diversity index, and evenness) by hand and using spreadsheet software (Excel or Google Sheets).
  • Make predictions and use evidence to explain a difference in diversity among vegetation types.
  • Propose a claim and explanation about a scientific research question supported by scientific evidence.
  • Propose a scientific research question that can be investigated using available data.

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

claim, community, diversity, ecosystem, evenness, evidence, floodplain grassland, limestone gorge, richness, savanna, Shannon diversity index, species abundance, vegetation type, woodland

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Version History

Date Published 04.03.18
Date Updated 04.30.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-6, HS-ESS3-3; SEP1, SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-4.A, ENE-4.B, SYI-1.H, SYI-3.F, SYI-3.G; SP1, SP4, SP5, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

4.1, 5.3, C.1, C.2, C.3, C.4

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.1, 9.10
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.A, EIN-4.C, SP5, SP6

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 3.4

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7, ELA.WHST.9-12.7
Math.N-Q.A.1, Math.N-Q.A.3, Math.S-IC.3; MP2, MP4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP1, DP2

Materials

Resource Google Folder (link)
Educator Materials (PDF) 259 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 237 KB
Excel PC Tutorial (PDF) 404 KB
Excel Mac Tutorial (PDF) 440 KB
Google Sheets Tutorial (PDF) 405 KB

Additional Materials

Excel or Google Sheets (spreadsheet tutorial provided)

Use This Resource With

Interactive Media Resource
WildCam Gorongosa

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