A simple ecological study--Data Collection:  We will meet in the nature reserve; let me know after class or by email if you need equipment other than meter tapes and meter sticks or insect nets.  You should be prepared to pick one hypothesis from your group's effort last week, and be prepared to collect data.   You may pick up your hypothesis sheets from me at the start of lab, and discuss how you will collect samples at the start of lab. 

Presentation: A presentation following the same general format at the Dispersion presentation will be given in class.  Each presentation should include the following sub-sections: Introduction, Methods and Materials, Results and Discussion.  In the Discussion section you should present two alternative functional hypotheses to explain the pattern you documented (if you did not find the pattern you expected, you will need to suggest new functional hypotheses).  Use your text book, at least one published research article (available from JSTOR in the library), and at least one internet resources as literature references (that's a minimum of three references that will be referred to and written down in your presentation).   Remember, we are discussing population ecology in lecture, and any knowledge you transfer into your presentation and show that you can use the stuff you are learning in lecture will help your grade. 

Graphs, data tables, or SYSTAT output should be clearly labeled and logically designed.  Appropriate statistical tests must be described and p values and test listed on a slide or in a graph.  

Grading will be based on (1) the clarity of your introduction--does it state your observations and  hypothesis clearly and concisely introduce the species you worked with (2) accuracy and completeness of your description of the methods used  (3) accuracy and completeness of your interpretation of the data (4) clarity of your graphs and data summaries--(5) logic and soundness of your functional hypotheses. Please print a copy of your presentation for me to look at while you give your presentation.  The presentation  will be worth 30 points (5 points each for the 5 criteria listed above, plus 5 for a question).

Here are some web links to oral and poster presentations.

good general tips on presentations:  http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/effective.html

an example from previous students in General Ecology: PowerPoint Presentation on Blackberry