Teacher’s Guide: Landscape Genetics Simulator

Overview

This simulator models the effects of genetic drift, dispersal, and barriers to gene flow in a spatially structured population. It is ideal for high school and early undergraduate courses in biology, ecology, and evolutionary science.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how spatial structure affects gene flow
• Visualize genetic drift over time
• Explore the impact of barriers and dispersal distance
• Practice scientific reasoning using simulation outputs

Getting Started

1. Open index.html in a web browser.
2. Set parameters:
   • Grid size
   • Mutation rate
   • Dispersal distance
   • Barrier position and gene flow rate
3. Click Start Simulation
4. Use Pause, Resume, Export CSV, and Download Image features

Suggested Exercises

Exercise 1: Drift in Panmictic vs. Structured Populations

• Set barrier off, run simulation. Note final allele frequencies.
• Now enable barrier. Set gene flow to 0. Observe divergence between sides.

Questions: - How does spatial structure affect drift? - What happens when you increase dispersal distance?

Exercise 2: Barrier Strength and Gene Flow

• Run multiple simulations with barrier gene flow set to:
  • 0.00 (complete)
  • 0.10 (low)
  • 0.50 (moderate)
• Export and compare allele frequency charts.

Discussion: - What level of gene flow maintains homogeneity? - How might this relate to conservation corridors?

Exercise 3: Population Size and Randomness

• Run the same scenario on grid sizes 30 vs. 70.
• Observe how random drift behaves at different scales.

Reflection Prompts

• How do physical barriers affect genetic differentiation?
• How do mutation and dispersal interact?
• What real-world systems does this model resemble?

Assessment Options

• Students submit screenshots, exported data, and answers.
• Encourage comparison between groups using different parameters.