High School Teacher's Guide to Craters of the Moon

Activity 6B
Reading on Kipuka Research

This reading will introduce students to some broad themes in ecology and their application through research at Craters of the Moon. Students will answer study questions on this topic following the reading.

Objectives:

Students will be able to describe the impact of kipuka size and remoteness on species number and population size.

Duration:

1 hour in the classroom

Materials:

Reading material, pen, paper.

Background Information:

Although Craters of the Moon is not an island, there are landforms present called kipukas which have island-like characteristics. Kipukas form when a lava flow surrounds, but does not cover, a piece of ground, often the top of an older cinder cone. Kipuka is the Hawaiian word for island. Kipukas are of particular scientific interest because they preserve relatively pristine remnants of native vegetation, only minimally affected by fire and grazing. A 1962 presidential proclamation added Carey Kipuka (180 acres) to the monument, on the basis of its scientific value for ecological studies.

Island biogeography is a theory used in ecological studies to explain and predict population composition of island communities. The theory of island biogeography holds that the number of species living on an island is directly related to the size of the island and its distance from other land. Smaller habitats can support fewer species than larger ones and greater isolation leads to reduced immigration. In considering the application of this theory the nature of the barrier becomes important. On true islands, water represents a nearly impassable barrier for most terrestrial species. Habitat islands, on the other hand, are surrounded by only partially impassable barriers, like lava flows, thus reducing the effect of isolation.

In 1982 a scientist conducted research on 14 kipukas in the Craters of the Moon lava field to test the equilibrium theory of island biogeography. Individual kipukas covered 0.16-3.6 hectares (a hectare is 10,000 square meters) and were isolated from the "mainland" by 70-1800 meters of lava. Researchers trapped small mammals and lizards and sampled vegetation on each kipuka. A summary and possible explanation of the study results follows.

Procedure:

1. Read the summary of the kipuka study at Craters of the Moon and then answer the questions on the work sheet.

Materials | Worksheet

Activity 6A - 6B - 6C - 6D - 6E

http://www.nps.gov/crmo/hsg6b.htm
Last Updated: 08-May-1999