1. Aliens!!!

2. Introduced species Non-native species kudzu
transplanted populations grow exponentially in new area
out-compete native species
loss of natural controls
lack of predators, parasites, competitors
reduce diversity
examples
African honeybee
gypsy moth
zebra mussel
purple loosestrife
FIRE ANTS!
gypsy moth
kudzu

3. Solenopsis invicta Originally from Argentina and Brazil
Believed to have been introduced to the US in the 1930’s
Outcompete native species, aggressive.
Spread limited by freeze in northern states

4. Biological controls Phorid fly!
Research paper

5. Why should we study invasive species?
Understanding behavior, density and distribution is essential to designing effective control measures.

6. ecological study Involves Planning: Design (research question)
Logistics (field work)
Analysis (statistical)
You need samples

7. What is a sample?
“A portion, piece, or segment that is representative of a whole”

8. Why do we sample?
Because it is usually impossible to know all the plants or animals present in a given area
# insect larvae in a pond
# coral colonies on a reef
# trees on a river terrace
# of ants in a field

9. Why do we sample? or measure every value of a parameter
e.g. dissolved nutrients in tide pools
e.g. sorting of sand grains on beaches
e.g. species along an exposure gradient
e.g. plant cover on backshore beaches

10. NON-INVASIVE SAMPLING
Avoid any degradation of the habitat when sampling
Removal of whole or parts of organisms should be limited to species that can quickly recover

11. REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING
Take a number of samples from around the sampling site so as to be reasonably sure that the samples represent the site in general

12. Necessities…
For the samples to represent the whole it is necessary to:
take appropriate samples
take enough samples
avoid bias when sampling

13. SAMPLING UNITS
The type of sample unit is determined by the organisms and the physical nature of the habitat being sampled
Volume of water, air, or soil
Area of ground surface

14. Regular Units Standard units enable comparison of results Spatial
Temporal

15. Bottles
Provide a standard, volume sampling unit

16. Nets
Also provide a standard, volume sampling unit

17. Cores
Provide a standard, volume sampling unit

18. QUADRATS Provide a standard, area sampling unit
eg. square frame
Consistent size and shape is essential for comparing samples from different places and/or times

19. Quadrat Size Chosen to suit sampling goals
A balance between what is best and what is practical is always necessary
Should suit:
habitat
organism
practical constraints

20. Habitat size
Appropriate sample unit size and numbers depend on size scale of the habitat
Small scale habitats require smaller sized samples
Ex. Boulders
Large scale habitats require larger sized samples
Ex. Forests

21. Transect sampling
Transects are often set up along environmental gradients
down a hillside
across a streambed
out from a source of pollution
You can measure at regular intervals or at random intervals

23. transect
undisturbed
disturbed

24. Quadrat sampling

25. RANDOM SAMPLING
Often used when the area being studied is fairly uniform, very large, or when there is a limited amount of time available
Random = chosen by chance rather than according to a plan; all outcomes are equally likely

26. Haphazard Sampling
Choose individuals or place “sampling units” arbitrarily
This is rarely completely random
OR…

27. How to sample randomly
Samples are taken from different positions within a habitat and those positions are chosen randomly
Assign numbers to the areas or individuals to be sampled
Use a random number table to select which areas or individuals will be sampled

28. quadrat

31. Handling of fire ants
Basic Lab procedure

32. Identification of Ant species

34. IA Lab Prompt: Invasive Species
Design an experiment to test the effect of an environmental factor on invasive species populations in Austin.