Research and Preparation Scoring Guide
Working with your learning partner, look over the resources and figure out which ones will help you answer the following ESSENTIAL questions.
All groups must answer questions 1,2,& 3. Then each group will choose 2 out of the next 4 questions for their presentation. Extra credit can be earned by doing all 7 questions. (Obtain a note packet from your instructor.)
1. What kind of environment is this? Where is it? Hint: Look for information on abiotic factors such as: geology, bedrock, precipitation, climate, sunlight, elevation, temperatures, latitude, freshwater or seawater, topography (what types of land formations are there?).Make a list of the 5 most important abiotic factors and make or obtain graphs and charts to display this information.
2. What are the main organisms that are important in this ecosystem? Hint: look for information about the trophic levels (producers, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level consumers, decomposers) Make a food pyramid and food web that displays important organisms in your ecosystem. Have pictures of the main organisms and, arrows that show how energy passes through the ecosystem. Producers, consumers, and decomposers must be a part of your food web.
3. What are the main abiotic factors that affect this ecosystem (limiting factors)? Hint: look for information about changing water levels, temperature, light levels, salinity, pollution. How are populations (plant and animals at least 2 examples of each) affected by the abiotic factors in this ecosystem.
4. What are the main ways that people affect this ecosystem,in a positive way and a negative way? Hint: look for information about building or construction, logging, diverting freshwater, hunting, or anything else humans do that affects nature in positive and negative ways. Which populations are most affected by humans. What species in this area are endangered or threatened and why?
5. What adaptations do organisms have that give them a survival advantage? Hint: look for characteristics (at least 4 diffrerent characteristics of 4 different animals) of animals that help them catch prey, elude predators, survive in extreme climates, attract mates, reproduce.
6. What types of symbiotic relationships occur between organims in the ecosystem? Hint: look for ways that 4 different species interact with each other in a positive, neutral or negative way.
7. How do invasive species affect this ecosystem? Hint: Look for at least 3 invasive species and how they affect your ecosystem and explain what is being done to combat the invasive species.
8. Keep a list of references for your bibliography of downloaded pictures and websites that are used during research.
Products:
After all research is complete for your ecosystem. Your group will combine with another group to develop a multi-media presentation that compares and contrasts 2 different ecosystems.
1. Multi-media helps compare and contrast the two different ecosystems.
2. Any form of multi-media can be used to present your ecosystem study that is approved by your teacher.
3. All groups must have an oral presentation to accompany their multi-media. The oral part may be spoken or recorded.
To Pick your ecosystem
1. Click on the following link, Foss Module,
2. Click on Populations and ecosystems icon at the bottom
3. On the left hand side click on populations and ecosystems multimedia
4. Log in. Login is--newtonscience password: newton
5. Click on Enter the Program
6. Click Continue
7. Click on Ecoscenarios
8. Click on the different star to see the different types of ecosystems to study. Choose one ecosystem.
Lesson adapted from the foss ecosystem and populations kit.
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