Biology 11 Name:______
Date:______
A Nova Scotia Portfolio of Biodiversity
What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth.Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize this as being integral to any approach to preserving biodiversity. Almost all cultures have their roots in our biological diversity in some way or form.Declining biodiversity is therefore a concern for many reasons.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares#WhatisBiodiversity
Instructions: As our final project you will need to follow these clues to create a structured portfolio of local Nova Scotia biodiversity which includes 15 organisms. Students can work in groups of up to 4 people. Project format is variable (you can decide).
v Each organism must be labelled with its scientific name (Genus and species) and common name.
v You must have a picture of this organism and where in Nova Scotia in can be found.
v The URL where you found the picture and information about this organism
v Describe how each species affects the Nova Scotia food web
v Each species population, factors affecting its population and a hypothesis as to the changes in population.
v Definition of the word Biosphere, and carrying capacity
v A detailed conclusion on human populations and their relationship to biodiversity and available resources in our biosphere.
v A checklist of your 15 organisms in the format shown below.
o Non vascular plant à moss
Organisms to be found
1. A vascular plant
2. A nonvascular plant
3. A reproductive structure from a plant.
4. An abiotic part of the ecosystem
5. A Protist
6. An arthropod
7. An amphibian
8. A species in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves
9. An organism from the Kingdom Fungi that can be eaten
10. A species in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Porifera,
11. A species in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Platyhelminthes
12. A gymnosperm
13. A species in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia – habitat aquatic
14. An organism from the Kingdom Fungi that is a form of medication
15. A hermaphroditic animal
Nova Scotia Biodiversity Portfolio Evaluation Rubric
UNIT 4-INTERACTIONS AMONG LIVING THINGS: Project Work - 5%
Unit Outcomes / Accomplishing this outcome / Point Value1. Describe and apply classification systems and nomenclatures used in the ecological hierarchy of an organization of living systems (214-1) / State the scientific and common name of each organism.
Proper format required. / 15 organisms required
……………………………..…7.5 pts
2. Analyse the biosphere to interpret and explain its structure and dynamics
(116-7) / Explain the word Biosphere.
Give the locations where each organism could be found in Nova Scotia. / Biosphere explanation
……………………………….…..1pt
15 locations needed
...... 7.5 pts
2. Use the concept of the energy pyramid to explain the production, distribution, and use of food resources (318-11) / How does each species affect the Nova Scotia’s food web? / 15 species affect on the Nova Scotia food web ……………...…………...…...7.5 pts
3. Population change over time can be expressed in quantitative terms. Describe population growth and explain factors that influence population growth (318-8) / Have the populations of each of the given species increased or decreased over the course of the last few decades?
Propose a hypothesis as to why the population has changed. / Populations information for 15 organisms
……………………………...... 7.5 pts
4. Human population growth places demands on global resources. Evaluate Earth’s carrying capacity, considering human population growth and its demands on natural resources (318-10)
& the limiting factors that
work to influence population growth (213-6) / Prepare a conclusion on biodiversity and its relationship to the earth’s carrying capacity and the ever expanding human population in relation to the natural resources available. / Conclusion ……..……………………….…..2 pts
Organization of the Assignment:
Teacher name, student name, due date, class, title.
Pages, stapled, numbered, and in good condition.
Proper spelling and grammar.
Organism checklist.
This rubric MUST be passed in with you project.
Each student in the group will receive the same mark UNLESS you discuss an issue with the teacher. / Layout and Organization
………………………………….2 pts
Total / /35 points