In this laboratory, students will be able to select species from the Species Selector and place them in a virtual biome defined by such variables as rainfall, seasonal temperatures, and elevation among other abiotic factors. Once the species and their initial populations have been selected and a biome defined, the species are then allowed to reproduce, interact, and die, and the populations, biomass, or energy content of the selected species monitored as a function of time. In addition to this basic functionality, changes in abiotic factors or migration of species can be investigated to study the effect on population equilibriums.
To use the laboratory, students can select up to 6 species and add them to a selected biome where their initial populations can be set inside the Species Tracking menu. The Abiotic Variables menu can be used to select different biomes and set various abiotic variables such as latitude, elevation, seasonal temperatures, rainfall, nutrient level, and toxicity level. A model of the current biome and elevation will always be shown in the picture window in the laboratory. Students can also select an Open Biome where they can then change the latitude, elevation, or rainfall and observe at what point changes in the biomes occur. Once a student has selected a set of species, initial populations, and abiotic variables, an experiment can be started by clicking on the green Play button on the Experiment Controller and then the Live Data display will show graphs of population vs. time for the selected species. Time can be accelerated using the Controller as well.