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Instructions for Exploring the Conservation Biology Practice Exercises
This chapter of the Second Edition of Conservation Biology concludes with a Practice Exercise, which provides students the opportunity to learn and apply research skills and concepts related to the chapter content.
Chapter 8 Practice Exercise: Stochasticity
Random variation in demographic parameters (survival and reproduction), or random variation in environmental conditions that affect survival and reproduction, rank among the greatest contributors to extinction risk. Therefore, practitioners of conservation must learn how to quantify stochasticity and be prepared to manage its influence on species populations. Use the tutorial videos and spreadsheet exercises to learn how to quantify the magnitude of stochasticity being imposed on a population and determine how stochasticity influences extinction risk.
NOTE: Spreadsheets in this Practice Exercise are saved as “macro-enabled” files (with an .xlsm suffix). When you open such files, you may receive a security warning stating that “Macros have been disabled.” If you receive this warning, you will need to click on the “Enable Content” button to use the spreadsheet. This will allow the spreadsheet to run the macro built into the spreadsheet.
1. Begin with the Videos
Each Practice Exercise begins with videos from author James D. Murdoch that 1) introduce the Practice Exercise and concepts involved; 2) explore and explain the concepts in depth; and 3) demonstrate tools used in the practical study of those concepts.
For each Chapter Practice Exercise, the student should watch these videos first!
Chapter 8 Video Topics: Stochasticity
- Demographic stochasticity
- Environmental stochasticity
- Coefficient of variation
- Binomial distribution
- Population growth with stochasticity
Download this spreadsheet, and use it as you follow along with the videos.
You can check your work using this completed spreadsheet.
2. Examine the Questions
Each Practice Exercise features a series of questions, which guide students through key questions and concepts.
Some questions may ask you to utilize different parts of the spreadsheet you used in the videos. They also provide a space to upload completed spreadsheets and to record any other responses or information requested.