Mrs. MacColl's Biology Page

Biology I 4th Quarter Take-Home Project


Below you will find:

We have studied the following:

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"Endangered Species in Aquatic & Terrestrial Environments"

Due Date: Monday, April 14

Purpose: 

As we progress through the ecosystems unit you will be ready to apply what you have learned to an aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem.  From the six biomes we studied, you will choose either an aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem to research.

Biome

Ecosystem

Freshwater

Ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands

Marine

Oceans, coral reefs, estuaries

Desert

Hot & dry, semiarid, coastal, cold

Forest

Tropical, temperate, taiga

Grassland

Savanna, temperate grasslands

Tundra

Arctic, alpine

 

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Your project should include the following parts:

You may choose the following methods to present your project:

I suggest you copy your project on a flash drive and email it to me or copy it on a CD and email it to me.

In your presentation you must include the following information:

  1. Ecosystem:

·        Describe the ecosystem in detail.

  1. Organisms:

·        Describe the organisms that inhabit the ecosystem.  Be sure to include a variety of plants and animals.

·        Identify and describe at least one endangered or threatened species that inhabits this ecosystem.  Suggest possible ways that individuals could aid these species in their struggle for survival.

·        Classify the organisms in the ecosystem as producers or consumers.  Be sure to specify the type of consumer: herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, or decomposer.

·        Describe several relationships among organisms in the ecosystem.  Include at least one predator/prey relationship and one symbiotic relationship.

·        Diagram and describe at least one food web or food chain in the ecosystem.  Explain how energy would be transferred among the organisms in the food chain.

  1. Abiotic Factors:

·        Identify and describe the nonliving characteristics of this ecosystem.  Be sure to include temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, water pressure (if applicable), water current (if applicable), and sunlight.

  1. Limiting Factors:

·        Identify at least three factors (abiotic and/or biotic) and describe how each factor would limit populations in the ecosystem.

  1. Special Features:

·        Describe special characteristics about the ecosystem.

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Your project will be graded upon the following criteria:

Please refer to the rubric on the back of your project guidelines.

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General information:

Your project will count as a test grade (100 points).  Projects that are turned in late will not be accepted.  Do not wait until the last possible moment to start your project.  This is YOUR project, therefore YOUR responsibility.  Take pride in your work and show me how creative you can be!

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