Contact: Dr. Kaitlin Stack Whitney (Rochester Institute of Technology): kxwsbi@rit.edu
Initiated: 2020
Project Status: Currently accepting participants
Description
Students observe insect pollinators in their backyards, or campus, or nearby natural areas to describe plant-pollinator networks and assess how the assemblages from their sites compare to those in a range of landscapes. Ground beetles, some of which are critical and understudied plant pollinators, are of particular interest. Students will learn how and why NEON samples ground beetles, develop an appreciation of the ecosystem services provided by these often-overlooked arthropods and have the option to set up their own NEON-style pitfall trap using common household materials. Students will develop an appreciation of the ecosystem services provided by these often-overlooked arthropods and how the assemblages of pollinators from their sites relate to the broader North American landscape. This project can be the subject of a course laboratory activity lasting between 2 and 4 weeks.
Training Webinar, Recorded on August 10, 2020 (closed captioning available)
Expanded Project Info: Instructional Materials include Identification Guides, Datasheets, Analysis Resources, and more.
Curriculum: Instructional Materials include curricular materials/resources.
Other Project Materials: Assessment Materials
Publications will be linked here when available.