Resource Ecology PGO2

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Resource Ecology PGO-2 Vegetation -
Herbivore - Harvest
Nakuru Ranch, Kenya
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Herbivore abundance changes
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Resource - consumer relationships
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• Main questions
• How do herbivores use the landscape (habitat,
  diet)?
• Is herbivore consumption in line with grass
  production?
• Does one herbivore species seem to influence the
  population of another herbivore species?
• What is the effect of harvesting one herbivore
  species on the growth and development of another
  species?

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We will use two approaches

• Analysis of field data using Excell to derive
  patterns of population growth, habitat use and
  diet similarities
• Construction of a grass-herbivore-harvest model
  using Stella to study the effects of these
  interactions

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Res.Ecol. PGO 2 Vegetation - herbivore -
harvest relationships
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• What we expect you to do
• - Create small groups of 2 persons each
• Answer all questions in the PGO-2 assignment
• Instructions in your reader. Data at RE Course
  website
• (http//www.reg.wur.nl/uk/ gt Education gt
  Resource Ecology)
• - Stella programme installed already in your
  computer (programs)
• - End product create a clear Powerpoint slide
  show which includes ALL your answers to ALL the
  questions
• Deadline mail your slide show to us NO LATER
  than
• Friday 11 April 1700 !!!

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Evaluation Criteria for your PowerPoint
presentation

• Did you answer the questions correctly?
• Application of ecological theories can you
  explain the model and the results in ecological
  terms? Some key elements are population
  dynamics, bottom-up effects, interspecific
  interactions (competition / facilitation), niche
  segregation, resource sustainable harvesting.
• General impression (i.e. layout, writing,
  presentation skills).