4.3.

2 Lab: Engineering a Solution to

Protect Species Lab
Biology Sem 2 Name: Eliza Harrington
Date: 4/3/24

In this lab, you will use a simulation to design, test, evaluate, and refine
solutions for protecting two species. First, you will learn about the
species you are trying to protect. Then you will explore the map of the
simulated ecosystem and the human activities that have affected it.
Next, you will learn about the available conservation tactics and use
the engineering design process to develop two designs. After you test
your solutions, you will evaluate your results and refine your solutions.

Procedure (36 points)

Part 1: Using the Simulation (6 points)

1. Explore the parts of the simulation you will use.

● At the top of the screen, use the arrows to switch between the two
focus species. Select each species name or image to learn about its
conservation status, lifespan, and habitat, as well as the threats it
faces from human activity.

● The list of conservation tactics shows you the options you have.
Select or hover over a tactic's name to get a description of the tactic
and its cost.

● To deploy a tactic, select the tactic's name and then select a square
in the map of the simulated ecosystem. You can also deploy a tactic
over a larger area by clicking and dragging. You can remove a tactic
by clicking on a square again.

● Select "Deployed tactics" to see the tactics you have chosen.

● To remove a deployed tactic from the map, select "Erase tactics" and
then select the square(s) from which you want to remove the tactic.

● The map shows the simulated ecosystem on a grid system. Select

"Original land use" to see how each square of the ecosystem is being
used. What are the different types of land uses in the simulated
 ecosystem?

● Select "Starting ranges" to see the focus species' starting habitat

range.

● "Budget" displays the amount of money you have available. "Spent"

displays the total cost of your deployed tactics.

● When you select "Test," you will receive feedback on your plan. You
will also see data regarding how your plan affects the focus species'
population size and the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem. You
will also see a public-support meter and a graph showing how much
of your budget you have spent.

● You can use the icon on the bottom right to download a screenshot
of your map or of the data on the Plan Evaluation page.

Part 2: Protecting a Focus Species (14 points)

Designing a Conservation Plan

1. Choose a focus species. Describe the specific problem you are trying
to solve with your conservation plan. Think about the organism's
habitat, threats, and starting range. What conservation tactics can you
use to address this problem? (4 points)

The conservation plan for gopher tortoises focuses on preserving and

restoring their habitat in the face of urbanization and land use
changes. By prioritizing key habitat areas, implementing land use
policies that support conservation, monitoring population trends, and
engaging the public through education and outreach, we aim to halt
the decline of gopher tortoise populations and ensure the long-term
survival of this keystone species and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Testing and Refining Your Solution

3. Select the "Test" button to analyze how your design worked after 10
years. Use the information on the Plan Evaluation page to evaluate
your conservation plan.

4. Did your solution meet the criteria for designing a conservation

plan? Include population size and biodiversity data to support your
evaluation. (2 points)

No, my plan is not working. Year one population size was 267, 10 years
later, it is at 18…

5. Did your solution stay within the constraints for designing a

conservation plan? Include budget and public support data to support
your evaluation. (2 points)

Yes it did. Public support was mid, and we spent $0

6. Read the feedback and think about how you might refine your
solution to improve it. Then select "Revise" to return to the map. Select
"Restored habitat" and "Conservation tactics" to see the tactics you
have chosen. Describe how you will improve your conservation plan. (2
points)

Build at least 1 wildlife conservation

7. Revise your design by deploying more conservation tactics and/or
removing them. Take a screenshot of the map with your new design and
attach the image in the space below. (2 points)

Part 3: Protecting Another Focus Species (16 points)

Designing a Conservation Plan

1. Select "Reset" to clear your previous design. Choose the other focus
species. Describe the specific problem you are trying to solve with your
conservation plan. Think about the organism's habitat, threats, and
starting range. What conservation tactics can you use to address this
problem? (2 points)

Adding a barrier, restoring natural habitat, nature reserve?

2. Use the simulation to design your conservation plan. Take a
screenshot of the map with your design, and attach the image in the
space below. (2 points)

Testing and Refining Your Solution

3. Select the "Test" button to analyze how your design worked after 10
years. Use the information on the Plan Evaluation page to evaluate
your conservation plan.

4. Did your solution meet the criteria for designing a conservation

plan? Include population size and biodiversity data to support your
evaluation. (2 points)

Yes
5. Did your solution stay within the constraints for designing a
conservation plan? Include budget and public support data to support
your evaluation. (2 points)

See image above

6. Read the feedback, and think about how you might refine your
solution to improve it. Then select "Revise" to return to the map. Select
"Restored habitat" and "Conservation tactics" to see the tactics you
have chosen. Describe how you will improve your conservation plan. (2
points)

Restore more natural habitat

7. Revise your design by deploying more conservation tactics and/or

removing them. Take a screenshot of the map with your new design,
and attach the image in the space below. (2 points)
8. Test your revised solution. How do the results compare with those
from your first design? Include data to support your evaluation. (2
points)

9. Select "Revise," and then select the other focus species. Test your last
solution on this species. Compare the two sets of results. For which
species was the plan more successful? Why do you think that is? Think
about the problems you were trying to solve for each species. (2 points)
Vs…

Submit this completed worksheet to your teacher.

Rubric

Each question in this activity is worth a specific number of points. The

possible point value is stated at the end of each question. The length of
your response will depend on the type of question. Responses should
be written in complete sentences, illustrated with labeled diagrams,
and/or calculated with all work shown.

You can use this general rubric for guidance on how your responses
will be scored by your teacher. Once scoring is complete, your teacher
will provide you with feedback on your performance.

Points awarded Description

The response addresses all parts

of the question completely and
Full points correctly.

The response is incomplete or

Partial points partially incorrect.

No points The response is incorrect, it does

 not match the question, or no
response is given.

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4.3.2 Lab: Engineering a Solution to Protect Species