Ain’t No Mountain Pine Enough: A Case Study of How Mountain Pine Beetles are Affecting Ecosystem Processes

Abstract

This case study engages students in generating hypotheses and predictions, analyzing and interpreting data, critically evaluating contrasting results in science, and thinking about feedbacks between biota and abiotic ecosystem dynamics. To address these areas, students use primary literature and simulated data about the interactions between mountain pine beetles and terrestrial carbon cycling. Mountain pine beetles are causing unprecedented mortality in forests in the mountain west, serving as a particularly relevant issue for our students in Colorado. The case is designed for three 50-minute class periods or two 75-minute class periods and should be implemented after students have learned the basics of terrestrial carbon cycling. During implementation of this case in a lower-division ecology course, we found that 1) content knowledge increased for most questions regarding student comprehension of carbon cycling, 2) students were better able to identify reasons for contrasting scientific results beyond scientist bias or human error, and 3) including a narrative in the assignment did not increase student perceptions of topic relevance. <em>Primary image:&nbsp;</em>Mountain Pine Beetle Kill in the Gore Range, Colorado. Forest with trees that have been attacked by the mountain pine beetle, in front of mountains in the Gore Range in Colorado. Photo by Dr. Jeff Mitton, reprinted with written permission.