Document: Observing Ecological Succession Abstract: This lesson allows students to witness how ecological communities respond to environmental changes. Succession is often taught with forest growth as the primary example, but in this outdoor experiment, students will be observing communities of insects over time

Document: Owl Pellets Lab Abstract: Owl pellets are masses of bone, teeth, hair, feathers and exoskeletons of various animals preyed upon by raptors, or birds of prey.  Pellets are produced and regurgitated not only by owls, but by hawks, eagles and other raptors that swallow their prey whole of in small pieces. Owls feed early in the evening and regurgitate a...

Document: Building A Virtual Ecosystem Abstract: To examine the impact of individual components of an ecosystem on the overall health and sustainability of the ecosystem.

Document: Species Interaction Field Investigation Abstract: The purpose of this field activity is to observe examples of species interactions in a field setting.

Document: Carbon Dioxide Sinks and Sources Abstract: Students will use a chemical indicator (BTB) to detect the presence of carbon dioxide.

Document: http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp?case_id=490&id=490 Abstract: The release of toxins into the environment and the federal government’s tracking of that using the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are the focus of this case study, which uses GIS to explore the potential impacts of the release of such substances. The case was developed for an introductory environmental...

Document: http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp?case_id=421&id=421 Abstract: In this dilemma case study, the executives of a popular restaurant chain must decide whether to use irradiated meat, in this case, beef, to protect its customers from the bacteria, E. coli. Students learn about food irradiation and discuss issues related to food safety and the public’s acceptance of new food technologies. As developed, the case could be...

Document: http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp?case_id=419&id=419 Abstract: In this case study, students hear arguments on both sides of a debate over wildlife management and must integrate ethical and scientific perspectives to formulate their own opinions. The case as written is most appropriate for an environmental ethics or policy course, but could also be used in an introductory or interdisciplinary environmental studies course.

Document: http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp?case_id=197&id=197 Abstract: In this case study, students speculate on what may have caused a major fish kill in an estuary in North Carolina. In the process, they explore how land runoff and excess nutrients affect aquatic communities, and learn about the complex life cycle of the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria. The case is appropriate for an introductory environmental science course, a general...

Document: http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp?case_id=599&id=599 Abstract:This case explores two-species interactions, especially mutualism, and presents students with a problem, namely, the inconsistent treatment of the concept of mutualism and symbiosis in many textbooks. It begins with a question that students will probably not feel qualified to answer: Is the equation of mutualism and symbiosis in a textbook correct? It then guides students through...