Cactus in Iowa
This series of pictures shows the traits and presence of the prickly pear cactus in different seasons in its natural habitat of sand dunes in Eddyville, Iowa.
Location
Eddyville Sand Dunes, Eddyville, Iowa
Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions
- How did the prickly pear end up in the dunes?
- What specific traits do these cacti have that give them a competitive advantage over other plants in the area?
- What environmental conditions allow for their growth in the dunes and not in other locations in Iowa?
- What conservation management strategies would enhance or limit the proliferation of the prickly pear cactus in the dunes?
- How does the type of soil impact the survival of the prickly pear cactus?
Classroom Suggestions
- Use quadrat sampling and soil testing of different areas around the schoolyard to make comparisons of the plant and soil diversity.
- Use the data from their sampling to construct explanations (using claim, evidence and reasoning) of why certain plants are found where they are located.
- Predict the biodiversity/organisms of a specific area in the Eddyville Dunes or their schoolyard in 20 years based on reproductive advantage and competition of resources.
Related Resources
- Amrita OLabs: Plant quadrat sampling simulator.
- Estimation of Plant Cover in Quadrats: Quadrat sampling how-to video from Iowa State University
- Landforms of Iowa: Comparison of Iowa's landscapes and landforms.
Iowa Core Alignment
HS-LS4-2:Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment
Credit Info
Submitted by Michelle Seddon.
Funding for Iowa Science Phenomena provided by:
