Barnacles

Barnacle Competition Interactive                     

1.       Navigate to: http://virtualbiologylab.org/ModelsHTML5/BarnacleCompetition/BarnacleCompetitionModel.html

2.       Click on “Background Information”

3.       Read through the background pages and answer the questions in your workbook (see below)

4.       Click on the Home icon in the upper right corner

5.       Click on “Tutorial” and read through how to run the simulation

6.       Click the Home icon in the upper right corner

7.       Click “Run Experiments”. Follow instructions below and answer the questions.

Background:

1.       In your own words, what is an organism’s ecological niche?

 2.       What is the difference between a fundamental niche and a realised niche?

 3.       What causes Earth’s tides?

 4.       Write 4 facts you think might be important to know about barnacles before running the simulation.

 Simulation:

Begin by using the preset values for your first simulation. After 10 days of observation, pause the simulation (you can find the time controls by clicking the “To data” arrow.

1.       When larva levels are equal (2.5 for both species), what did you observe about the placement and population size of both species?

Raise the Sea Level toggle to 1 to simulate sea level rise due to climate change. Also, increase the Belanus larvae to 3.5. Run for 10 days, then pause.

2.       During this simulation, you should have noticed a pattern between populations of Belanus and Chthamalus. Describe this trend and give a possible ecological reason for this to occur.

3.       Compare and contrast your observations from the first simulation with the second one.

 Choose how you would like to toggle your controls. Let this simulation run for 10 days and describe the results.