Tragedy of the Commons Simulation (lab report)



Name:_________________________________Date: _____________________ Mods: _______AP Environmental Science5227320143510Tragedy of the Commons SimulationBackgroundThe interrelated problems of population growth and dwindling resources are illustrated in this demonstration of the commons dilemma. Christened by Garret Hardin, the commons dilemma is derived from The Tragedy of the Commons, written by William Forster Lloyd in 1833. The commons described by Lloyd is a pasture open to all. Herdsmen bring cattle to the commons to graze. Over time each herdsman seeks to maximize his/her economic gain and add cattle to his/her herd. The positive component, the increased profit, is realized by the individual herdsman. The negative component, the resultant overgrazing, is shared by all who use the commons. As each seeks to maximize his gain, the commons resource declines until overgrazing leads to its destruction. The dilemma: self interest vs. cooperation or maximizing individual gain vs. cooperative stewardship of a resource.Objectives Students will:Demonstrate how increased population places a strain on natural resources.Describe the outcomes of a self-interest strategy vs. a cooperative strategy for managing renewable resources.Explain how our stewardship of a resource can help prevent from exceeding the carrying capacity of the Earth.MaterialsGoldfish CrackersPlastic straws (fishing poles)500ml beakers (or suitable container to act as a pond for the fish)Scenario:Each person represents the head of a starving family which requires food (strong motivation to acquire food). The only food source for these four families is a small fishing hole which can accommodate 16 fish. Fortunately, after each round of fishing by the four family heads, each remaining fish is able to spontaneously reproduce and make one new fish (i.e. 4 fish become 8, to a maximum of 16). Each person is allowed to take as many or few fish as you want, but if you take only one fish, your family will starve.The object of the game is to harvest as many fish (goldfish) as possible from the sea (bowl).ProcedurePart I ~ Harvest as many fish as you possibly canDivide yourselves into groups of four. Our pond is a beaker, and our fish are goldfish crackers. Fish are caught using plastic straws. When it is your turn, harvest as many fish as you can.For every fish each student harvests, he/she receives one point. More Fish = More Points.You may NOT touch the “pond” and you may NOT talk during Part I. You will have an opportunity to fish for 20 seconds. Therefore each round should last 80 seconds (1 minute, 20 seconds). You should rotate your fishing order every round so that everyone has a chance to go first. At the end of every round, record the number of fish each person “caught” and the total number of fish remaining.Accurate records must be kept in an organized table, provided for you.At the end of every round, the number of remaining goldfish will be doubled to simulate reproduction. The carrying capacity of the sea may not be exceeded (Your total in the sea may not be more than 16).The simulation will continue for 5 rounds or until you run out of fish.Part II ~ Harvest less fish than you needReduce the number of fish you caught in the first round of part I by half. Fish for five rounds, collecting only the number of fish you have designated.At the end of every round, the number of remaining goldfish will be doubled to simulate reproduction. The carrying capacity of the sea may not be exceeded (Your total in the sea may not be more than 16).The simulation will continue for 5 rounds.Record your results in the table provided.Part III ~ Discuss and come up with a fishing strategy that will feed everyone equally without depleting resources. Record your strategy under the “Results” section.If time allows, repeat the Part I with a different strategy for numbers of fish chosen.Create a graph representing your results. Graph number of fish harvested/round (Y axis) vs. total number harvested in the group (X axis).5531485241935Name: ____________________________________________Date: __________________________ Mods: _____________Tragedy of the Commons SimulationData Section:Data: Strategy #1 (get as many fish as possible)RoundFish at Start# Fish caught by Person 1# Fish caught by Person 2# Fish caught by Person 3# Fish caught by Person 4# Fish Remaining in Bowl12345Totals: --------- ------------Data: Strategy #2 (reduction)RoundFish at Start# Fish caught by Person 1# Fish caught by Person 2# Fish caught by Person 3# Fish caught by Person 4# Fish Remaining in Bowl12345Totals: --------- ------------Data: Strategy #3 _____________________________________________________RoundFish at Start# Fish caught by Person 1# Fish caught by Person 2# Fish caught by Person 3# Fish caught by Person 4# Fish Remaining in Bowl12345Totals: --------- ------------Discussion ~ Tragedy of the Commons LabAnswer the following questions based on your data.Why were fish only replaced if some remained in the bowl after each trial?What happens when the members of a group do not use a cooperative strategy (think of Part I)? Why does common usage lead to exploitation?What is the best strategy for harvesting from this commons? Use data to support this.Stewardship of a resource is demonstrated when we use a cooperative strategy that shows concern for a resource. List three other examples of resources that require human stewardship.How will continued human population growth affect our stewardship of the Earth’s resources? ................
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