INTRO TO ENVIRONMENTAL

Date modified: August 7th 2018

Climate Change Experiment LAB — Background Overview Educated citizens need to understand how scientific investigations are done and how results and

conclusions are reported in order to make informed decisions. What is experimental evidence? What is

hypothesis testing? How do scientists evaluate data and draw conclusions? Educated citizens also need a

basic understanding of climate change. In this lab, we are going to watch a video fieldtrip of the

Asymmetric Warming Experiment at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Corvallis, which

uses precision climate-controlled chambers called “terracosms”. After watching the video, you will

answer questions to help guide you through understanding how the experiment was designed. The

purpose of this lab is to refresh your memory and understanding of the scientific method and ecology

while learning how scientists study climate change.

BE ORIGINAL! Remember to use your own words and do not copy verbatim from any online,

previous or current student source. By submitting this assignment, you are agreeing to the

following statement: “I understand that my paper will be checked against multiple sources for

original content. A report will be generated that shows if content in this paper matches content in

documents available on the Internet, in many print journals, and a database of other papers

submitted by students. If submitted to the instructor, my paper will be added to the student

database for comparison of future OSU papers against it. I maintain ownership of the original

intellectual property created in this paper. I understand that results of this report may be used by

the University in student conduct proceedings related to academic dishonesty (See Canvas Start

Here module for more information)” Turnitin generates a report that highlights any potentially

unoriginal text in your paper, including text from previous students’ or current students’

submissions.

Learning Outcomes Assignment Outcomes

• Explain how plant photosynthesis, respiration, and growth can vary with temperature.

• Describe how rates of plant photosynthesis, respiration, and growth can affect atmospheric carbon dioxide levels

• Evaluate hypotheses and experimental design in a climate change experiment.

Module Outcomes 4. Summarize how researchers study climate 5. Outline current and future impacts of global climate change

Course Outcomes C1. Recognize and apply biological concepts and theories in complex, interdisciplinary

environmental and sustainability problems.

C2. Explain and predict effects of pollutants on ecosystems based on ecological principles

C5. Read and interpret graphs and data, and explain sources of uncertainty in scientific data and

environmental model predictions

C6. Describe the process of conducting responsible, professional science.

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Background The assigned readings and lectures will provide the background information for this lab.

In this assignment, you will watch the virtual field trip to the EPA terracosm experiment, and use the

information to answer the questions in the assignment.

Link to virtual field trip:

https://courses.ecampus.oregonstate.edu/index.php?video=soil102/terracosm_fieldtrip.mp4