Wednesday, March 19, 2014

3/19/14

1.  What is an ecosystem? (cool ecosystem poster)
2. Work on #2 Define Ecosystem:
  2.  Define Ecosystem.(continue this on your google doc that you already shared with me)
a.    As you research your biome, select a specific Ecosystem on Earth that represents your biome.  Since you are working at biome tables, each student at the table must select a DIFFERENT sample ecosystem.  My specific ecosystem is: _____________.
                                          i.    Describe where on Earth your specific ecosystem is located.  Be specific…country, latitude, proximity to major cities/oceans, etc.
                                        ii.    Read section 6.1-6.3 in your textbook about current challenges that ecosystems on Earth are facing.  Then, research which of these current challenges are impacting your chosen ecosystem.  Write a cohesive paragraph that includes at least 2 challenges/threats.  Be sure to describe the challenges/threats in detail and describe how they are specifically impacting your ecosystem.  You can use this resource as well (http://www.nrdc.org/issues/) to research other issues that are not listed in your text book. 
                                       iii.    As you research these threats, identify endangered/threatened organisms for your ecosystem.  Choose one of these organisms to focus on for the remainder of your research.  Define niche.  What is your endangered/threatened species’ niche in your ecosystem?  Be sure to include ALL of the important roles your organism plays in its ecosystem.  My specific organism is:________________.
b.    Define food web.
                                          i.    Draw a food web for your endangered/threatened organism that includes at least 7 organisms
                                        ii.    Label each member of your food web as a primary producer, herbivore, carnivore, scavenger, or decomposer.
c.    Define trophic pyramid.
d.    Define the 10% Rule
                                          i.    Create a trophic pyramid for a simple food chain in your ecosystem that includes your endangered organism.  Include at least 4 levels in your trophic pyramid and use labels to describe how energy flow from one level to the next changes.
  H.W. Finish #2a (i-iii)