- Overview
- Teaching Notes
- Answer Key
- Comments/Replies
The Mystery of the Missing Martens
Co Authors: |
Elizabeth A. Flaherty Carolyn A. Eckrich Merav Ben-David |
Abstract: | This interrupted case study introduces basic modeling to investigate a decline in an American marten population on an island in Southeast Alaska. Two summer field technicians working on a long-term field ecology project for one of their professors notice that there are fewer marten captures this year. Through discussions with their professor, conversations with a local fur trapper, and based on their own observations, they develop a plan to model the population and the potential causes of the decline to solve the mystery. Students use Excel or other database software along with life tables and introductory population ecology to investigate three potential causes of the marten population decline. This case was developed for use in an environmental science or wildlife management course but could also be used in an advanced science high school course or general ecology course. It would be beneficial for students to have some background in statistics including how to interpret R-squared values, p-values, and 95% confidence intervals. |
Objectives: |
|
Keywords: | modeling; modelling; martens; population ecology; wildlife biology; data analysis; age structure; birth rate; fecundity; life table; survival; survivorship; vital rates |
Topical Area: | N/A |
Educational Level: | High school, Undergraduate lower division |
Formats: | PDF, Excel |
Type/Method: | Interrupted |
Language: | English |
Subject Headings: | Ecology Environmental Science Forestry Natural Resource Management Wildlife Management |
Date Posted: | 8/22/2016 |
Date Modified: | N/A |
Copyright: | Copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work. |
Teaching Notes
Case teaching notes are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering here.
Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.

Answer Key
Answer keys for the cases in our collection are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering here.

