Disappearing Sea Otters

In this activity, students will review species interactions, outcome prediction, and graph interpretations. Students take the role of an ecologist and try to analyze species behaviours and predict population change and interactions between various species.

This review activity utilized Just in Time Teaching strategy in which students prepare by studying the relevant chapters before entering the classroom (recommended but not required). Students also have the option to watch a documentary called “Nature Bites Back: The Case of the Sea Otter” before the class, which can be accessed here.

Students have access to the questions since the beginning of the semester, so they may have a look or even attempt to answer the questions before coming to the review class, but they are not required to and they seldom do.

Within the classroom the students are split into groups and are posed with a series of questions that will reinforce their understanding of species interactions. The questions are presented as short and long answer style. Students will not have the time to finish the questions during the class time, so they will be given the answers and are encouraged to work on them on their own and ask if they have any questions.

Note: the documentary “Nature Bites Back: The Case of the Sea Otter,” can only be accessed through Curio. Please check with your institution’s library for access.

• To review species interactions;
• To predict future outcomes based on current data;
• Learn to read and interpret data from publications;
• To clear misconceptions.