Category: Ecological principles

Visit Regulations.gov and locate an endangered species that captures your interest for the purpose of submitting a comment. (I’ve organized the link’s content in a way that enables you to browse the list and identify your chosen species). Read the proposed policy and form a one paragraph public comment for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Do you agree with the proposed policy? Why or why not? What does your research say about how the policy may impact the species? Cite at least two scientific articles for your comment. Post your comment here and if you feel comfortable, submit your comment to the USFWS. Information on public commenting can be found here.

Visit Regulations.gov and locate an endangered species that captures your interest for the purpose of submitting a comment. (I’ve organized the link’s content in a way that enables you to browse the list and identify your chosen species). Read the proposed policy and form a one paragraph public comment for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Do you agree with the proposed policy? Why or why not? What does your research say about how the policy may impact the species? Cite at least two scientific articles for your comment. Post your comment here and if you feel comfortable, submit your comment to the USFWS. Information on public commenting can be found here.

In Weeks 2 and 3 you concentrated on collecting data on species composition at both your human presence and non-presence sites. This week, you will choose one species and one trait to measure; this may include measurements such as individual length or weight, number of offspring or nests, number of behaviors such as feeding or calling, or any other relevant parameters specific to the species under investigation.

Review the sampling techniques you used in Week 2 and use the same technique (e.g. point count, square plot, or transect). Every individual of your chosen species should be measured for the selected trait in both the human presence and non-presence sites.

You will collect and analyze data using t-tests to determine significant differences between study sites in the chosen measurement. You will produce tables and graphs to present the results clearly. Through interpretation and discussion, you will assess the ecological significance and provide recommendations for conservation strategies to mitigate the impact of human presence on species diversity. Find 3-5 relevant, credible sources and support your statements using in-text citations and provide a reference list at the end.

The deliverable should include the following components:

Quantitative Data Collection: Collect and record quantitative data measurements for the species present at the study sites by collecting data using the study method developed in Week 2. Insert the data as a table in your report.

Data Analysis General Statistics: Follow along with this video for guidance to compute the following for each study plot separately:

Sample size (N)

Sample mean (x) this is a measure of the center of your data values

Sample variance (s2) this and the rest are measures of the variability of your data values

Standard deviation (s)

Standard error (SE)

95% confidence interval lower (LCI) and upper (UCI) limits

Data Analysis t-test: Download the example excel sheet and input your data, adjusting column names as needed. Use this video for guidance on how to run a t-test to the data from both study plots to determine if there are significant differences between the study sites in the chosen measurement. Include the example excel sheet in your submission.

Data Visualization: Utilize tables, graphs, or charts to visually represent the results. Ensure that the visual representations are clear, labeled, and appropriate for the data being presented. You must create at least one chart/graph and one table (for a total of two (or more) visuals).

Restate Hypotheses: Restate your hypotheses developed in previous weeks and state whether your data supports or rejects your hypothesis. If you received instructor feedback, provide the edited versions.

Interpretation: Interpret the results and discuss their implications. Analyze any patterns or trends observed in the data and explain their ecological significance. Relate the findings to the research questions and hypotheses formulated earlier in the project.

Discussion of Findings: Discuss the implications of the results within the broader ecological context. Relate the findings to the research questions and hypotheses posed earlier in the project. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the data analysis and interpretation, considering factors such as sample size, data quality, and potential biases.

Recommendations: Provide recommendations based on the research outcomes. Suggest specific conservation strategies, management practices, or policy considerations that can help mitigate the impact of human presence on biodiversity and contribute to the preservation of sensitive species and habitats.

Photos: Take photos during your data collection activities and include them in the final deliverable.

A reference list in APA style.