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About This Simulation
Investigate why the Kuppelfangs died when transplanted to the new Astakos IV biodome on Earth. Quantify their realized and fundamental niche, and explore how acclimation affects the boundaries of a niche.
Learning Objectives
- Quantify a species realized niche
- Set up an experiment to compare the effect of simple variables on a species niche
- Experimentally determine a species fundamental niche
- Visualize niches using an n-dimensional hypervolume
- Measure the extent to which acclimation expands a species’ niche
- Determine how trade-offs affect the boundaries of a niche
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
- Biometrics
- Field sampling
- HPLC
- Data analysis of n-dimensional hypervolumes
Related Standards
- Out of scope
- No direct alignment
- Biology C.1 Species and communities
Learn More About This Simulation
What if you could have your own cute little alien to pet? How would you know the requirements to keep it alive? In this simulation, you will learn to identify the fundamental niche of any species using Kuppelfangs as an example. This rock-digesting species from Astakos IV couldn’t survive when it was transplanted to a biodome on Earth. You will perform different experiments to understand what caused Kuppelfangs to die in the biodome and ultimately suggest a solution that will enable the species to survive on Earth.
Explore Astakos IV to collect data on a Kuppelfang’s fundamental niche
You will visit the three main regions where Kuppelfangs live on Astakos IV and collect soil samples that will provide information about their realized ecological niche. You will analyze three main variables that affect the survival of Kuppelfangs: temperature, soil pH and soil silicon concentration.
Learn to use n-dimensional hypervolumes and design your own experimental setup
After your field trip, you will measure the pH of the soil samples and determine its silicon concentration using HPLC. You will then plot and visualize your results in a 3-dimensional graph in order to compare the Kuppelfangs’ fundamental and realized niches with the niche found inside Earth’s biodome. After discovering the fundamental niche of Kuppelfangs, you will design an experiment using the three variables you have already measured and let baby Kuppelfangs grow in a greenhouse for one year. Following this step, the simulation will fast forward time so that you can see whether the Kuppelfangs survived in each environment. You will then take some individuals to the lab so that you can measure how certain physical features are related to specific environmental conditions.
Decide the best conditions for the Kuppelfangs’ survival on Earth
At the end of the experiment, you will determine how acclimation can expand and affect the boundaries of a niche. Will you be able to determine why the first Kuppelfangs sent to Earth’s biodome died? Can knowledge of their fundamental niche help you to develop a solution to ensure the Kuppelfangs’ survival in Earth’s biodome?
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For Science Programs Providing a Learning Advantage
North Dakota State College of Science
“They did the simulation at home, then completed the in-person lab within 30 minutes, no questions asked, and passed the quiz with flying colors.”
Lecturer in Human Physiology
University of Westminster
"I saw some of the students who clearly didn’t necessarily like sitting there reading a book discover they could turn on Labster and keep up with the rest of the class because it spoke to them.
Modesto City Schools
"Having something that's engaging for the students gives teachers that opportunity to breathe and get excited again. Because they're seeing the kids light up, they're seeing the kids engage with content."
Wenatchee Valley College
"The question always is, ‘Can we demonstrate that the students are meeting course outcomes?’ Check! We can do that.”
San José State University
"We surveyed over 400 students. More than 90% thought Labster was easy to navigate, and that it was fun, but more importantly, most of them felt confident that they could execute the labs in person. And that confidence is a big deal."
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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Labster supports a wide range of courses at the high school and university level across fields in biology, chemistry and physics. Some simulations mimic lab procedures with high fidelity to train foundational skills, while others are meant to bring theory to life through interactive scenarios.