![Kish, William [Biol]](http://blogs.longwood.edu/williamkish/files/2019/10/cropped-Buffalo-creek.jpg)
During my time at Longwood as a biology major, I have taken many biology classes. By your sophomore year, you can start to take more classes that you are interested in. In my case, I really enjoyed taking ecology type classes over cellular biology classes. My love for ecology started in BIOL 251 Ecology and Evolution and my interest in conservation during BIOL 330 Conservation Ecology. Another ecology course that I took was BIOL 455 Wetlands Seminar.
In BIOL 251, we discussed different ecological topics like predator prey relations, different methods of examining diversity, niches, energy transfer, and invasive species. In my lab group, we wanted to see the effects of invasive and native crayfish affect amphibian populations. After running the experiment and analyzing the data in R Statistical Software, it was found that the invasive crayfish significantly preyed on the tadpoles more than the native crayfish. Throughout this course and project, I was able to experience first hand the predator-prey relationship, how invasive species can be harmful, and how to calculate diversity and dominance using the Shannon-Wiener index. I also was introduced to R statistical software to analyze all my data for this class and many other classes.
In my BIOL 330 course, we discussed various conservation related issues and topics such as conservation strategies and how interdisciplinary the subject is. Our projects consisted of a research proposal of a conservation issue that is going on in the world. In my case, it was involving invasive species, particularly the Burmese python and brown tree snake. This species have become established in their new habitats and how they are negatively affecting the native species that live their. Within the class and project, I learned how to write a research proposal, use the IUCN database to examine populations of different organisms, and how to do scholarly research to plan a program best suitable for the organism at hand.
In BIOL 455, we discussed different topics all involving wetlands and their conservation. Certain topics included the importance of coastal wetlands to the rising sea levels, how much biodiversity they can hold, and how people try to make wetlands for mitigation. Within this course, I was taught how to look through scientific literature to find what is important involving wetlands and how to interpret the results being presented. We also got the chance to see wetlands and worked with specialists to determine the health and condition of the wetland. For my final term paper, I examined the differences between natural and created vernal pools and if they differed through their physico-chemical and biotic parameters.
During my time at Longwood, I have taken many biology course. The most memorable of them have been my courses involving ecology and conservation. These courses allowed me to grow in my data analysis skills, my skills in examining scientific literature and scientific writing skills, and lastly improving my field data collection skills. I also learned all about the basis of ecology through the different theories and concepts that will be used in my future careers and opportunities.
Below is my BIOL 251 project on crayfish amphibian interactions.
Crayfish amphibian interactions
Below is my BIOL 330 proposal for combating the invasive Burmese Python and Brown Tree Snake.
Below is my BIOL 455 literature review on how created and natural vernal pools compare.