Goll-ly! Don’t Take a Knapweed! The Impact of Nonnative Plants and Animals on Deer Mice
In the Western United States, spotted knapweed is one of the most widely found nonnative plants. Spotted knapweed was brought to the United States from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s. To control the spread of spotted knapweed, two types of gall flies have been released into areas with spotted knapweed. Unfortunately, these gall flies are not native to the arid grassland ecosystem either. The scientists wanted to study the effect of spotted knapweed and gall flies on the population of deer mice in arid grassland ecosystems.
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In this FACTivity, you will compare different ways of displaying research findings . You will answer the following questions in this FACTivity: Which of two methods of displaying results is...FACTivity – Goll-ly! Don’t Take a Knapweed!
In this FACTivity, you will compare different ways of displaying research findings . You will answer the following questions in this FACTivity: Which of two methods of displaying results is...
Glossary
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Dean Pearson
My favorite science experience is when I can prove a scientific hypothesis. I work in a special scientific area called community ecology. Community ecology addresses the relationships of different kinds...View Profile -
Yvette Ortega
“I grew up in southern California in a big city. My first biology job took me all the way to the wilds of Alaska. That convinced me that I was...View Profile
Standards addressed in this Article:
Social Studies Standards
- People, Places, and Environments
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Lessons
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In this lesson plan, students learn about invasive species in their area and create brochures educating others about their characteristics. Materials: Internet or library access for research Paper and writing...Lesson Plan – Invasive Species
In this lesson plan, students learn about invasive species in their area and create brochures educating others about their characteristics. Materials: Internet or library access for research Paper and writing...
Education Files
Project Learning Tree
If you are a Project Learning Tree trained educator, you may use PLT Forest Ecology Secondary Module #4, “Home Sweet Home,” Pre K–8th Activity Guide #45, “Web of Life,” and Activity Guide #43, “Seeds Will Travel,” as additional activity resources. These activities introduce how nonnative insect control affects the web of life and how seed dispersal varies.