Species Diversity, Island Biogeography, and the Design of Nature Reserves

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2002, Volume 23

Abstract

This field and laboratory investigation is an open-ended exercise designed to test predictions from island biogeography theory using various-sized fragments of leaf litter arthropod communities as "island" systems. Litter islands are constructed in a deciduous forest and students collect samples of leaf litter and extract arthropods using the Berlese Funnel technique. After arthropods are collected, students learn identification techniques, compute diversity indices, construct dominance-diversity and species area curves, and draw conclusions about the effects of fragment size and insularity on arthropod community diversity.

Keywords:  arthropods, community ecology, biodiversity, species diversity, island biogeography, reserve design, leaf litter

University of Chicago (2001)