The Experts below are selected from a list of 19533 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
P. Lynne Honey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Why I teach the controversy: using creationism to teach critical thinking
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015Co-Authors: P. Lynne HoneyAbstract:Creationism and intelligent design are terms used to describe supernatural explanations for the origin of life, and the Diversity of Species on this planet. Many scientists have argued that the science classroom is no place for discussion of creationism. When I began teaching I did not teach creationism, as I focused instead on my areas of expertise. Over time it became clear that students had questions about creationism, and did not understand the difference between a scientific approach to knowledge and non-scientific approaches. This led me to wonder whether ignoring supernatural views allowed them to remain as viable ‘alternatives’ to scientific hypotheses, in the minds of students. Also, a psychology class is an ideal place to discuss not only the scientific method but also the cognitive errors associated with non-science views. I began to explain creationism in my classes, and to model the scientific thought process that leads to a rejection of creationism. My approach is consistent with research that demonstrates that teaching content alone is insufficient for students to develop critical thinking and my admittedly anecdotal experience leads me to conclude that ‘teaching the controversy’ has benefits for science students.
Wim H Van Der Putten - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
soil invertebrate fauna enhances grassland succession and Diversity
Nature, 2003Co-Authors: Gerlinde B De Deyn, Ciska E Raaijmakers, Rik H Zoomer, Matty P Berg, Peter C De Ruiter, H A Verhoef, Martijn T Bezemer, Wim H Van Der PuttenAbstract:One of the most important areas in ecology is to elucidate the factors that drive succession in ecosystems and thus influence the Diversity of Species in natural vegetation. Significant mechanisms in this process are known to be resource limitation1,2,3 and the effects of aboveground vertebrate herbivores4,5. More recently, symbiotic and pathogenic soil microbes have been shown to exert a profound effect on the composition of vegetation6,7,8,9 and changes therein10,11. However, the influence of invertebrate soil fauna on succession has so far received little attention12,13. Here we report that invertebrate soil fauna might enhance both secondary succession and local plant Species Diversity. Soil fauna from a series of secondary grassland succession stages selectively suppress early successional dominant14 plant Species, thereby enhancing the relative abundance of subordinate14 Species and also that of Species from later succession stages. Soil fauna from the mid-succession stage had the strongest effect. Our results clearly show that soil fauna strongly affects the composition of natural vegetation and we suggest that this knowledge might improve the restoration and conservation of plant Species Diversity.
S. K. Saha - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Cyanobacteria-dominated biofilms: A high quality food resource for intertidal grazers
Hydrobiologia, 2004Co-Authors: Sanjay Nagarkar, G. Subramanian, Gray A. Williams, S. K. SahaAbstract:Hong Kong rocky shores are dominated by cyanobacterial biofilms composed of a Diversity of Species. Thirteen common Species, belonging to seven genera, were isolated in pure culture in MN+ and MN- media under defined growth conditions from a semi-exposed shore in Hong Kong. The nutritional values (i.e., protein, carbohydrate and calorific value) of these 13 Species were determined. All Species showed high nutritional quality in terms of protein, carbohydrate and calorific value, however, overall nutritional value varied between the Species. Species of Spirulina and Phormidium were most nutritious (highest nutritional values) whereas Species of Calothrix and Lyngbya were the least nutritious. Microphagous molluscan grazer density and Diversity were relatively high at the study site, despite the seemingly low biomass (as assessed. by chlorophyll a concentration) of the biofilm. It is suggested that the high nutritional quality of cyanobacteria, together with their fast turnover rates can support high levels of secondary production (biomass of grazers). The high nutritional quality of cyanobacteria on tropical, cyanobacteria-dominated, rocky shores is therefore of great importance in the benthic food web.
Klaus Oeggl - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The plant macro-remains from the Iceman site (Tisenjoch, Italian–Austrian border, eastern Alps): new results on the glacier mummy’s environment
Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 2009Co-Authors: Andreas G. Heiss, Klaus OegglAbstract:Archaeobotanical studies are currently being carried out on all the plant remains retrieved from the high alpine site where the Iceman “Ötzi” was found (3,210 m a.s.l.). Preliminary results already show a great Diversity of Species (121 taxa) mainly originating from lower regions, which must have been transported to the Tisenjoch site by a number of vectors. Spatial modelling has been carried out for one part of the plant remains unequivocally assignable to the Iceman. The resulting patterns indicate that post-depositional displacement processes have affected the material, and even the mummified body itself. It is demonstrated that the influence of cross-contamination resulting from the recovery attempts preceding the excavations can be ruled out by thorough selection of sampled areas and layers. The archaeobotanical results, together with current data from other research fields, strongly suggest that the Iceman had died in an area about 5 m south-west of the position where he was discovered in 1991.
Johannes M H Knops - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
productivity and sustainability influenced by bioDiversity in grassland ecosystems
Nature, 1996Co-Authors: David Tilman, David A Wedin, Johannes M H KnopsAbstract:THE functioning and sustainability of ecosystems may depend on their biological Diversity1–8. Elton's9 hypothesis that more diverse ecosystems are more stable has received much attention1,3,6,7,10–14, but Darwin's proposal6,15 that more diverse plant communities are more productive, and the related conjectures4,5,16,17 that they have lower nutrient losses and more sustainable soils, are less well studied4–6,8,17,18. Here we use a well-replicated field experiment, in which Species Diversity was directly controlled, to show that ecosystem productivity in 147 grassland plots increased significantly with plant bioDiversity. Moreover, the main limiting nutrient, soil mineral nitrogen, was utilized more completely when there was a greater Diversity of Species, leading to lower leaching loss of nitrogen from these ecosystems. Similarly, in nearby native grassland, plant productivity and soil nitrogen utilization increased with increasing plant Species richness. This supports the Diversity–productivity and Diversity–sustainability hypotheses. Our results demonstrate that the loss of Species threatens ecosystem functioning and sustainability.