As I grade the last few questions on my ecology finals, i realize that some of the test questions I came up with this semester were better than others--clearer, addressed more important ecological concepts, provoked more thoughtful answers, etc. I suspect those of you out there also teaching undergraduate ecology classes like mine have made similar observations. So tell us all: what was your best test question this semester? Share with all.
At the moment, mine is: Purple loosestrife is a highly invasive plant species from eastern Europe that has invaded much of the U.S. It forms dense monocultures that outcompete native plant species. An eastern European root-mining weevil has been used successfully in some places in the U.S. to control purple loosestrife. What do these successes indicate about whether loosestrife is primarily controlled by density dependent or density independent factors in its native range and in the U.S.? Do these successes support or challenge the Enemy release hypothesis? Justify your answers. My students asked me to tell them what "monoculture" and "weevil" meant. The challenges of teaching in an urban environment. Dr. Russell Burke Professor Department of Biology Hofstra University 516.463.7272
