Ecology Class ProjectsYou must choose one activity from each row.

100 points

**All assignments must be uploaded to the shared google folder that you can find a link to on my blog **

30 point assignments

30 p

oint

1. You are an environmental scientist and have been studying

issues regarding a threat to biodiversity in a particular area for 10 years. Write a letter to

your congressman distinguishing causes, effects,

consequences and recommended strides that must be taken to reduce this particular threat. Statistical data must be included. The letter must be

word processed, addressed to the appropriate congressman, and in proper business letter

format.

2. For the past 10 years, you have been employed as an environmental scientist and

have extensively researched factors regarding global

warming. You have been invited to speak to a congressional

committee about your findings. Formulate a power point or

animation presentation regarding causes, effects,

consequences and strides that must be taken. Statistical data

(graphs, etc) should be included. Presentation must be a

minimum of 8 slides with graphics, pictures, etc.

3. You are an advertising executive and have been

employed an active environmental group that has conducted extensive research regarding a particular threat to

biodiversity for the past decade. Design a 2-page magazine ad

for National Geographic magazine informing the public of cause(s), effect (s) and / or consequence(s) of this threat. Statistical data (graphs, etc)

should be included.

50 p

oint

4. Complete the Biome Travel Brochure. You are going to

create a 1 page, 2 sided travel brochure to a biome of your choice. Your project will be word processed with color

pictures and information on your biome.

5. Complete mini lab 3.2 on the handout and The

population Mini Lab handout You must follow the procedures given and complete the analysis part of Mini Lab 3.2. and create

2 line graphs (on Excel) and answer the analysis questions from the Population Mini Lab You must include information from a minimum of 2 credible

sources.

6. Construct a food web of organisms in an ecosystem

within a biome. Use a minimum of 10 organisms. It must be

computer generated. It should include labels that identify each organism with its common and scientific names and whether it

is a producer; 1O, 2O, 3O, consumer; or decomposer

20 p

oint

7. Diagram the carbon cycle. This must be computer

generated, including appropriate pictures, and printed. Use your

own individual style, be creative!

8. Diagram the nitrogen cycle. This must be computer

generated, including appropriate pictures, and printed. Use your

own individual style, be creative!

9. Diagram the phosphorus cycle. This must be computer

generated, including appropriate pictures, and printed. Use your

own individual style, be creative!

You need to work with a partner on one computer. You may not split the work up!!

Both partners need to work TOGETHER on each assignment.

You can work with a partner on one computer. You may not split the work up!!

Both partners need to work TOGETHER on each assignment.

1. Biodiversity letter Possible Points

Points Earned

The causes, effects and consequences of a specific threat to biodiversity are clearly indicated. 15Statistical data is included 5Letter is in proper full-block style, in the proper tone, is free from grammar and spelling errors 5A minimum of two appropriate sources are used and cited at the end of the letter or another attached sheet (APA style) 5

2. Global Warming PowerPoint Possible Points

Points Earned

The causes, effects, consequences, and changes to be made regarding global warming are clearly summarized. 12Statistical data is included 4Presentation should be professional looking, informative without being too wordy, includes a minimum of 8 slides, is error free and includes appropriate pictures, graphs, etc.

10

A minimum of two appropriate sources are used and cited on the last slide (APA style) 4

3. Biodiversity Ad Possible Points

Points Earned

The causes, effects and consequences of a specific threat to biodiversity are clearly indicated. 12Statistical data is included 4Ad is creative, neat, appealing, will get a reader’s attention and includes a call to action 10A minimum of two appropriate sources are used and cited on an attached sheet (APA style) 4

50 point assignments

4. Biome Travel Brochure Must be in the following format:

Possible Points

Points Earned

Back Cover5 interesting facts about your biome not found elsewhere in the brochure 53 neat, appropriate pictures illustrating 3 of the facts above 3

Front CoverLarge name of your biome described using alliteration (Desert: Sand, Sun, and Snakes) 5A map of the world indicating where your biome is located 5A catchy slogan as to why we should visit your biome 2

Inside Page 1Biome weather patterns including charts/graphs (temp. precipitation) 12What a person should wear when visiting your biome and why 33 activities a visitor can participate in while visiting your biome 3

Inside Page 2Fauna and flora – picture and description of at least 2 animals and 2 plants found in your biome. Must include adaptations to the biome. 82 symbiotic relationships found in your biome including the type of symbiosis being displayed. 4

5. Mini-Labs Possible Points

Points Earned

Mini Lab 3.2Neat comparison table created in Word formatted for easy readability 4Analysis questions # 1 & 2 are answered fully, citing researched information 12

Population Mini-Lab (handout)Proper line graph on Excel (#1) 8Proper line graph on Excel (#2) 4Answer # 3, 4 & 5 18

A minimum of two appropriate sources are used and cited (APA style) 4

6. Original Food Web

Possible Points

Points Earned

10 organisms are displayed with:Picture 10Common Name 10Scientific Name 10Role in the food web (producer, primary consumer, decomposer, etc.) 10

Web is done on the computer, is neat and easy to read 6A minimum of two appropriate sources are used and cited (APA style) 4

20 point assignments

6. Nutrient cycles (Carbon, Nitrogen or Phosphorus)Possible Points

Points Earned

Cycle is thorough/includes all appropriate steps 10Cycle is done on the computer, is neat and logically laid out 5Appropriate images are included 5

Population Mini-Lab

Part A: Population Case Studies

In order to make logical predictions about future population changes, scientists will rely on case studies of other sample populations. Below you will find data on several sample populations of other species to use as models. The graphs you create of this actual data will help you make predictions in Part C. By graphing the population of each species you will have examples upon which you can base your prediction for the future of the human population.

1. Create line graphs on Excel for each of the species identified below.

A brief background on the source of this population data is provided below. Species 1: Bristlecone PineSpecies 2: Red FoxSpecies 3: Bacteria X (1st population)Species 4: Cerulean WarblerSpecies 5: Bacteria X (2nd population)Species 6: Eastern Cottontail

Part B: Predicting the Future of the Human Population

2. Statistics regarding the human population are given below. Draw a line graph of this data and use this graph to answer the following questions.

3. Which of the sample populations is most like the human populations. Describe the similarities upon which you based this decision.

4. Populations in the natural environment fluctuate regularly as is shown by the Eastern Cottontail data. This is because limiting factors stop populations from growing exponentially. Identify one abiotic factor and one biotic factor in an ecosystem and explain how each of these factors will serve to limit population growth.

5. We have discussed the natural laws that govern natural populations to insure the sustainability of ecosystems. Use our discussion of these natural laws and the case study population graphs in Part B to develop a logical prediction for the future of the human population. Write a single paragraph to communicate your prediction of the future of the human population. Your paragraph should identify the single most important limiting factor (abiotic or biotic) that will prevent the human population from growing exponentially and explain what will happen to the human population as a result.

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