1. Roles of Species & Species Interactions
Chat Stations
You and your group members are going to go to each station and you are responsible for answering the questions to accompany each one. Work cooperatively!

2. Station 1: Invasion of the Habitat Snatchers
Use the poster to help, if needed.
What characteristics make an organism a good “invasion machine”?
b. Skim the article on the Nutria from the Pilot. What are the negative impacts of the nutria on an ecosystem.
c. Do you think there is a difference between the words non-native and invasive or are they synonymous?

3. Station 2: Keystone Species
Read the Case Study in the book about the American Alligator:
What is a “keystone” outside of the realm of science?
What characteristics does the alligator possess that qualify it is a keystone species?
B. Can you brainstorm one other species that is also a keystone species and explain.

4. Station 3: Vanishing Amphibians
Read the Core Case Study.
A. What ecological role do amphibians play?
B. What are three reasons we should care if they become extinct?
C. Look at this cartoon….can you explain the historical significance and how does this relate to the amphibians?

5. Station 4: Generalist vs. Specialist
A. Scientists use the niches of species to classify them as either generalists or specialists. Make a T-Chart and classify the following organisms as either a generalist or specialist:
Cockroach, panda, lemur, white-tailed deer, koala, raccoon, mice, tiger salamander
B. Which type of organisms would be more prone to extinction and WHY????
C. Can you think of any situations where being a specialist would be advantageous?

6. Station 5: Sharing the Wealth
Look at the picture shown. A. What do you notice about where these insect-eating warblers are feeding in the spruce trees? B. How do you think this impacts competition? C. Is this interspecific or intraspecific competition? Explain.

7. Station 6: Win-Win Look at the picture shown.
What type of relationship is being represented?
What, if anything, does each organism stand to gain from being in this relationship?
Can you brainstorm another example of this type of relationship and explain each organism’s role?

8. Station 7: The Monsters within me…
Look at this picture.
What type of relationship
is depicted?
B. What, if anything, does each organism stand to gain from being in this relationship?
C. Can you brainstorm at least one more example of this type of relationship?

9. Station 8: Here fishy-fishy…
Look at this picture.
What type of relationship
is depicted?
B. What, if anything, does each organism stand to gain from being in this relationship?
C. Can you brainstorm at least one more example of this type of relationship?

10. Station 9: DANGER!
Watch the video clip (ONLY until the 2:50 timeframe) using the laptop and answer the questions.
Why is the newt so toxic?
This evolutionary arms race between predator-prey is referred to as coevolution. What exactly is coevolution? Use the video example to help you explain if needed.