Evaluating the effect of temperature on species distribution: Analyzing 30 years of landings data for the American lobster (Homarus americanus)

    

Elizabeth R. Jones

Advances in Biology Laboratory Education, 2025, Volume 45

https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v45.art14

Supplemental Materials: https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v45.sup14

Abstract

Data literacy is a crucial skill for students pursuing STEM careers; however, scientific concepts are often illustrated using overly simplified datasets. This activity uses authentic data to explore the effect of temperature on species distribution. Since climate is a key factor governing the distribution of populations, increased global temperatures are associated with altered ranges for many species. To demonstrate this concept, this computer exercise examines the effects of temperature on the distribution of a commercially important species, the American lobster (Homarus americanus). Students will analyze 30 years of temperature and landings data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to derive temperature trends over time, lobster catch trends over time, and the correlation between temperature and lobster catch. While many ecology labs use R for data analysis, this activity employs MS Excel to generate figures and perform statistical analyses, thus eliminating the need for prior knowledge of coding languages. This laboratory exercise is intended for undergraduate general biology, marine biology, or ecology courses and explores the concepts of climate change, linear regression, and correlation analysis.

Keywords:  Data literacy, data analysis, linear regression, correlation, climate change, ecology, fisheries

University of Maryland (2024)