Write up the following to turn in next week at the beginning of lab. Remember you are looking to see how your variable(s) affects) evolution of the trait of beak size, population sizes do not -evolve" but merely reflect how well individual populations arc adapted to the current environmental conditions.
1. Clearly state the hypothesis (as a declarative statement) that you arc testing for the evolution of beak size in Darwin's finches.
2. Print out the starting parameters for each run and graphs that illustrate the most important trends. (To print the starting parameters. use "Export Data", then just print page one, otherwise you'll get about 50 pages of your field notes.) Be sure your graphs arc understandable and provide appropriate descriptive legends and labels. Unless you arc printing your graphs in color so the key is relevant, graph lines will need to be labeled as Darwin's Island or Wallace's Island.
3. Summarize in a paragraph the main results of your simulation. Refer the reader to your graph(s) and tables as appropriate and in your summary indicate whether you could detect evolution occurring as a result of your experiment. Briefly describe and explain the trends or patterns you observed and discuss how your hypothesis was supported or unsupported by your simulations. If there were inconsistencies or counter-intuitive results that you found in your simulation, offer an explanation.
4. Briefly identify and discuss the type of selection you observed in your simulation (i.e. directional, stabilizing, or diversifying).
5. Simulation models like this have value because they help scientists generate interesting research questions. However, models (whether they are mathematical models, physical models, or computer models like this one) have necessary simplifications and assumptions. In a brief paragraph critique this computer simulation model and clearly state and discuss at least two specific ways in which the simplifications or assumptions that are inherent in the model may have skewed your results or conclusions.