Chapter 9 Practice Exercise Instructions

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 9 Practice Exercise: Metapopulation Dynamics

Metapopulation models are a key tool that conservation biologists use to manage the long-term persistence of species in fragmented habitats. The tutorial videos and spreadsheet exercises for this chapter will show you how to construct different types of metapopulation models and predict metapopulation dynamics over time.

NOTE: Spreadsheets this Practice Exercise are saved as a “macro-enabled” file (with an .xlsm suffix). When students open these files, they may receive a security warning stating that “Macros have been disabled.” If students receive this warning, they will need to click on the “Enable Content” button to use the spreadsheet. This will allow the spreadsheet to run the macro that calculates marginal values.


A screenshot of a computer


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 9 Video Topics: Metapopulation Dynamics

  • Metapopulation definition/overview
  • Metapopulation models
    • Mainland-island model
    • Internal colonization model
    • Rescue effect model
  • Metapopulation dynamics

Bonus Video

Multi-season occupancy model (estimates pi and pe)

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.

3. Watch the Bonus Videos

Conclude the Practice Exercise by watching the Bonus Video that dives deeper into chapter topics and methods.

Bonus Video Topic: Multi-season Occupancy Model (Estimates pi and pe)

Back to top