Concept explainers
SCIENTIFIC THINKING An ecologist studying plants in the desert performed the following experiment. She staked out two identical plots, which included a few sagebrush plants and numerous small, annual wildflowers. She found the same five wildflower species in roughly equal numbers on both plots. She then enclosed one of the plots with a fence to keep out kangaroo rats, the most common grain-eaters of the area. After two years, to her surprise, four of the wildflower species were no longer present in the fenced plot, but one species had increased dramatically. The control plot had not changed. Using the principles of ecology, propose a hypothesis to explain her results. What additional evidence would support your hypothesis?
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CAMPBEL BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS & CONNECTIONS
- Ernie's school has three greenhouses, located in three parts of the school. Ernie notices that the plants in one greenhouses are smaller than the same species in the other greenhouses. Ernie's biology teacher says she has been having a problem recently with growing plants in this particular greenhouse. Ernie's lab group decides to investigate factors such as light levels, temperature, and soil nutrients in the three greenhouses. They find that these are the same for all the rooms. What additional factors would you suggest testing for, and how would each of these factors affect the growth of plants? 20arrow_forwardYou've been out in the field collecting data on the predation of holly leaves. You collect 200 leaves in total of which 100 leaves contain one mine, 20 leaves contain 2 mines and 30 leaves contain 3 mines. After close examination with your hand lens and dissecting microscope you categorize a total of 15 mines with round holes, 9 mines that were torn open and 27 mines with an irregular hole. After some basic analyses you conclude that the predation rates by blue tits and wasps are: A. 3.7% and 6.5% B. 6% and 10% C. 10% and 6% D. 4% and 6.5%arrow_forwardLeo is testing different types of greenhouse material to determine which type is most effective for growing strawberry bushes. He purchases two different brands of tarps from a local store. Leo applies brand A to an area of the yard that receives full sunlight and brand B to another area of the yard that is in partial shade. He waters both areas daily. At the end of the study, Leo concludes brand A is more effective in growing strawberry bushes. Is Leo's conclusion valid? Explain why or why not.arrow_forward
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