Virtual Field Course - Good Neighbours Exercise

Table of Contents

1. Instructions
   1. Aims
   2. Method
   3. Background
   4. References
2. Cross-references to relevant sections of the book
3. Video of the habitats
4. Photographs of the habitats
   1. Snail on fennel
   2. Snails on fennel
   3. Fennel along the edge of a road
   4. Fennel on exposed upland
5. Data - Snail Fennel Spreadsheet

Aims

This exercise examines whether snails (of several species) cluster in groups when they over-winter on dead fennel stalks.

You are asked to create a series of graphs to decide whether the snails avoid each other or roost together, and then to consider the possible reasons for the patterns you observe.

You are given extensive detail on the survey method to allow you to review all the possible factors considered in the survey design. You can usefully discuss these methods - and suggest improvements - at the end of the analysis. You might also suggest what additional data you might collect to test any hypotheses arising out of this analysis.