Urban Ecology: Inquiry-Based and Experiential Laboratory Exercises for Urban Ecosystems

 

Nathan Rycroft, Angela Seliga, Tristan Lubinski, Derek Stefanik, Ashley Jennings, Joslyn Mills, Melissa LaBonty, Jacob Reilley-Luther, Ajit Kamath, Adrienne Lohe, Amanda Gallinat, Nafis Hasan, Alla Yalonetskaya, & Raka-Larissa Basu

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Abstract

Many universities are located within urban areas, not commonly recognized as complex and dynamic ecosystems. This module was created to introduce students to these ecosystems, provide them with techniques used commonly by ecologists to assess ecosystem diversity and health, and gain a better understanding of both positive and negative human impacts on urban environments. This lab has been designed to be flexible and has been executed both as a 3-hour module and a three-day, 18-hour module, and with indoor contingencies in place in case of inclement weather.

Keywords:  water quality, invasive species, Water Quality, human impacts, scavenger hunt, pollution, modular, ecosystem health

Boston University (2015)