Prairie Dog Case Study - Soil Study

Prepared by Peg Tilgner, Sinte Gleska University

Overview of the Teaching Box:

This teaching box begins with the case study on the prairie dog issue from which subsequent sections of a semester-long integrated science course on the prairie were developed. Included along with the case study is the unit on soils. As with all teaching boxes, the materials may be used in their entirety or instructors may select activities that have outcomes compatible with those in their own courses.

Goals of the Teaching Box:

1. Use a case study relevant to local students as an organizer for course content.
2. Complete field and laboratory studies on soils for comparison of soils found in prairie dog towns and in prairie sites not populated by prairie dogs.
3. Use the information on soils to refine the positions of various stakeholders on the prairie dog issue.

Teaching Box Activities:

1. Introductory Activity - Prairie Dog Damage Irks S.D. Ranchers
   Outlines implementation of a case study about prairie dog impacts on range land. It is an introductory activity for a problem-based learning unit.
2. Soil Study
   Students collect soil samples for testing chemical and physical properties such as temperature, porosity, permeability and texture. They determine the rate of heat absorption of different soil types and sort and classify soil organisms.

Appendix:

Additional research materials.

1. Poisoning Prairie Dogs?
2. Prairie Dogs – An Endangered Keystone Species?
   
3. Recent Studies on Prairie Impacts