Leveraging remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic to enhance student understanding of biodiversity.

We evaluated whether individual nature-based ecological (NBE) study used in tandem with group collaboration enhanced undergraduate student understanding of ecological concepts and pro-environmental perceptions. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we developed a multiweek unit on the latitude diversity gradient (LDG) for fully online instruction that leveraged the unique situation of students learning in disparate geographic locations. Student understanding of the LDG and pro-environmental perceptions were assessed with surveys administered both pre- and post-activity in an introductory-level biology laboratory course.

THE POTENTIAL INDICATOR VALUE OF RARE TAXA RICHNESS IN DIATOM-BASED STREAM BIOASSESSMENT.

Despite their recognized contribution to species richness, the importance of rare taxa richness in bioassessment is unclear. This study aimed to characterize the environmental factors affecting the number of rare diatom taxa in western U.S.