Testing Hypotheses about Herbivore Responses to Plant Vigor and Herbivore Impact on Plant Reproduction

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In this laboratory exercise, students examine hypotheses about the interactions between goldenrod plants and the gall-forming insects that feed on them. Students collect and analyze data to determine 1) whether certain traits make the plants more susceptible to attack by the insects and 2) how plant reproduction is affected by the insects' feeding. Students are introduced to several competing hypotheses that they evaluate using their data and previous research.

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Primary or BEN resource type	Laboratory exercise
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Format	html
Ecological Core Concept	The science of ecology -- Scientific method and experimental design The science of ecology Interspecific interactions -- Predation and herbivory Interspecific interactions -- Parasitism and disease Interspecific interactions -- Mutualism, symbiosis, and commensalism Interspecific interactions
Drought & Water-Ecosystem Services Collection	Off
Conservation Targets Under Global Change Collection	Off
Big Data Collection	Off
Editor's Choice	No
Audience	Undergraduate lower division 13-14 Grades 9 - 12 Undergraduate upper division 15-16
Pedagogical Use Description	Teachers can use this activity to teach students about plant-herbivore interactions and the scientific method. Students collect and analyze data to evaluate several conflicting hypotheses. This activity could be used to lead into a discussion about how scientists determine which hypothesis among several others is best supported by evidence. Teachers could also prompt discussion on whether students would expect the same hypothesis to be supported in varying growing conditions.
Keywords	herbivory, gall, susceptibility, reproduction, negative impact, overcompensation, plant tolerance, gall fly, hypothesis, parasitism, old field, data analysis, data interpretation, stress, tolerance, n
Key taxa	goldenrod, Solidago altissima, Rhopalomyia solidaginis, parasitic fly, goldenrod bunch gall
Life science discipline (subject)	Ecology
Primary Author Controlled Name	Christopher Sacchi
Primary Author Affiliation	Department of Biology, Kutztown University
Primary Author email	sacchi@kutztown.edu
Rights	Copyright 2006 Christopher F. Sacchi and the Ecological Society of America.
Review Status	Accepted
Resource Editor	Unknown
Reviewer A	Unknown
Reviewer B	Unknown
Date Of Record Submission	1999-11-30

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