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Biocontrol agents in the field

Students survey biocontrol agents in the field and examine the damage they cause to weeds.
  • Learning Objectives

    Students will be able to:

    • Identify biocontrol agents for gorse and broom.
    • Use appropriate methods to sample biocontrol agents.
    • Record observations and manipulate data about biocontrol agents found in the field.
    • Make informed guesses about the probable impact of biocontrol agents based on observations.

    Suggested prior lessons

    Curriculum Connections

    Science, levels 5-8

    Vocabulary/Concepts

    carrying capacity, density dependent factors, density independent factors, exponential growth, logistic growth, population,sample.

    Time

    1-3 hr in the field, plus possible 1 hr classroom follow-up

    Materials

    • clipboards / pencils
    • paper or data sheets
    • Gorse and broom biocontrol agents handouts
    • calculators (optional)

Downloadable content & links

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