Question

to help you interpret the data, below, calculate the total nest loss of both the biotic and abiotic factors.
biotic nest loss (total) = ________
abiotic nest loss (total) = ________
biotic & abiotic factors- interpret the data from table 2 (version 2) (use full sentences) 8 pts

1. make a claim that answers the scientific question: which factor(s) has the greatest impact on piping plover nest loss?
2. what evidence was used to write your claim? (reference specific data from the tables above to support your claim.)
3. explain your reasoning and why the evidence supports your claim. name the biotic and/or abiotic factors that cause the nest loss.
4. your next steps as a scientist: science is an ongoing process. what new question(s) should be investigated next to build on this research? what other factors could cause the decline of this bird population? what future data should be collected to answer your question(s)?

instructions:

• calculate nest loss due to biotic & abiotic factors.
• complete the conclusion questions by answering: which factor(s) has the greatest impact on piping plover nest loss?

Answer:

To solve this problem, we would typically follow these steps (assuming we had the data from Table 2, version 2, which is not provided here, but we can outline the general approach):

Step 1: Calculate Total Nest Loss for Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Biotic Nest Loss (Total): Sum up all the nest loss values associated with biotic factors (e.g., predation, competition from other organisms) from the table. Let's denote the biotic factors' nest loss values as \( B_1, B_2, \dots, B_n \). Then, the total biotic nest loss is \( \sum_{i = 1}^{n} B_i \).
• Abiotic Nest Loss (Total): Sum up all the nest loss values associated with abiotic factors (e.g., weather, temperature, flooding) from the table. Let's denote the abiotic factors' nest loss values as \( A_1, A_2, \dots, A_m \). Then, the total abiotic nest loss is \( \sum_{j = 1}^{m} A_j \).

Step 2: Make a Claim

• Based on the calculated totals (or the data from the table), determine which factor (biotic or abiotic) has the greatest impact on Piping Plover nest loss. For example, if the total biotic nest loss is greater than the total abiotic nest loss, the claim could be: "Biotic factors have the greatest impact on Piping Plover nest loss."

Step 3: Provide Evidence

• Reference the specific data from the table. For instance, "The total biotic nest loss was [X]%, while the total abiotic nest loss was [Y]%, and since \( X > Y \), biotic factors contributed more to nest loss."

Step 4: Explain Reasoning

• Explain why the evidence supports the claim. For example, "Biotic factors such as predation by [specific predators] and competition for resources led to a higher percentage of nest loss compared to abiotic factors like flooding and temperature changes. This is because [specific reasoning based on the data, e.g., the number of nests lost to predation was higher than those lost to flooding]."

Step 5: Next Steps as a Scientist

• Propose new questions, e.g., "Does the time of year affect the impact of biotic/abiotic factors on nest loss?" or "How do human activities (a biotic factor) interact with other biotic and abiotic factors to influence nest loss?"
• Suggest other factors that could cause the decline of the bird population, such as habitat destruction, pollution, or climate change.
• Recommend future data collection, e.g., "Collect data on nest loss over multiple years to see if there are seasonal or long - term trends" or "Monitor the presence and behavior of specific predators to better understand their impact on nest loss."

Since the actual data from Table 2 (version 2) is not provided, we can't give the numerical answers for the total nest losses or the specific claim - evidence - reasoning. But the above steps outline how to approach the problem once the data is available.

If we assume some sample data (for illustration purposes only):

Let's say in Table 2 (version 2), the biotic factors' nest loss values are: predation - 30%, competition - 20%, and the abiotic factors' nest loss values are: flooding - 15%, temperature - 10%.

Step 1 (with sample data)

• Biotic Nest Loss (Total): \( 30 + 20=\boldsymbol{50\%} \)
• Abiotic Nest Loss (Total): \( 15+ 10=\boldsymbol{25\%} \)

Step 2 (with sample data)

• Claim: Biotic factors have the greatest impact on Piping Plover nest loss.

Step 3 (with sample data)

• Evidence: The total biotic nest loss was 50%, while the total abiotic nest loss was 25%. Since 50% > 25%, biotic factors contributed more to nest loss.

Step 4 (with sample data)

• Reasoning: Biotic factors like predation and competition led to a higher percentage of nest loss. Predation alone accounted for 30% of nest loss, which is higher than the combined abiotic factors' contribution. This suggests that interactions with other living organisms (predators, competitors) are more impactful on the Piping Plover's nests than non - living environmental factors in this case.

Step 5 (with sample data)

• New Questions: Does the presence of a particular predator species correlate with higher nest loss? How does the availability of food (a biotic factor) affect the Piping Plover's ability to protect its nest from biotic threats?
• Other Factors: Habitat destruction due to human development, pollution of the nesting area, and changes in the food web (due to overfishing, for example) could cause the decline of the bird population.
• Future Data Collection: Collect data on the population of main predators in the nesting area, the availability of food resources, and the extent of human - caused habitat changes over multiple breeding seasons.