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How do complex ecosystems function? How can we understand or even predict some of the consequences of human caused changes on ecosystems? Ecosystems are self organizing, and are hierarchically controlled, not by some central or linear function. Ecosystems use feedback, demonstrating indirect effects from an action. The timing of consequences of actions on ecosystems have variable and typically unexpected rates that can have unanticipated magnitudes. Patterns in ecosystems are observed over many different spatial and time scales.
This project will help build science teachers’ understanding of ecosystem complexity. It will create tools to assist them in their teaching about complexity through the use of field experimentation, modeling, and simulation.
