If you are doing the approved alternative to the microcosm, you will pick 8 models to work with from the Ecology tab found here: https://virtualbiologylab.org/biodiversity-ecology/ THIS IS THE LINK TO THE VIRTUAL LAB, I WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS ONCE I HIRE YOU.
Under the Ecology tab select 8 of the 15 available models. It is your choice which ones you do. Complete one per week and keep a log much like the log that is being kept by the microcosm students (see Modeling Log below). I WILL COMPLETE THE MODELING LOG, PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE PARAMETERS OF THE LAB SO I CAN DO THE LOG. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS KIND OF A CONFUSING ASSIGNMENT, SO I HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE FIRST LAB IN THE POWERPOINT FOR REFERENCE.
For each model provide at least 3 slides including:
Model Title and Description (25/25 points)
What does the model do?
What data do you use for it?
What were the 3 sets of parameters you used to test different conditions in the model?
Major Findings (25/25 points)
What happened?
Provide an image or images for each of your 3 model runs
What did you learn about how the various parameters influence the model?
Discussion (20/20 points)
What were the pros and cons of each model
What field data could be collected to “ground truth” each model?
What are the ecological implications to what you found in each model? (this is where you’d use sources)
Sources in APA Style (including images) (10/10 pts)
Mechanics (spelling, grammar, style, etc.) (10/10 pts)
