Developing a biocontrol game – unit plan

Students of any level develop a board game illustrating knowledge of New Zealand’s possum problem and the strategies used to control it – including biocontrol strategies.

Possum feeding

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Possum eating pine leaves.

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

Purpose

To demonstrate through a board game the inter-relationships of organisms within a biological community, and the societal responses to a range of biocontrol solutions.

Although funding for the possum biocontrol projects finished in 2010, the thinking, insights and importance of public consultation necessary for developing the board game are still relevant.

Keywords

Biocontrol, biocontrol agent, pest, ecological niche, food chain.