Ms. HalliwellTenaflyHigh School

Ecology Project

Ecology Project: Hotspots of Biodiversity

Background:

In this unit, we have been studying ecology, specifically focusing on populations within an ecosystem. We have discussed how each and every ecosystem that exists on planet Earth is a finely-tuned system that can very easily be thrown out of balance. All organisms are connected in a web of interdependence, and this web extends throughout the whole world. A majority of ecological research in recent years has focused on preserving biodiversity, meaning the immense amount and variety of living things that exist on the planet. Unfortunately, the areas of the world that contain the most biodiversity are also the areas that are the most vulnerable. Preserving biodiversity is important for the health and survival of all species on this planet – including ours.

In the past 20 years, scientists have identified 34 hotspots of biodiversity, which are defined as specific biogeographic regions with a large amount of biodiversity that are threatened by destruction. In order to be classified as a hotspot, a region must meet two criteria:

1)It must contain at least 1500 species of vascular plants that are endemic (only found in that region)

2)It has to have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.

There are currently 25 defined hotspots, and there are another 9 regions that are currently being debated. These sites support nearly 60% of the world's plant, bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species, with a very high share of endemic species.

Now that these hotspots have been identified, many conservation efforts have begun in an effort to preserve them. The main reason that these hotspots are so threatened is habitat destruction. Much of this habitat destruction has been halted due to new environmental protections.

The Task:

You will research one of the 34 currently identified hotspots of biodiversity, and create a poster to display for the class the essential information about that hotspot. The poster will be graded out of 100 points and will count as a test grade.

Your poster MUST:

-Be 28 1/2 by 22 inches (standard poster board size)

-Be NEAT and ORGANIZED

-Have at least three sources listed ON THE BACK

-Contain ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

  • The NAME of the hotspot
  • Where the hotspot is located
  • The climate of the hotspot including annual precipitation and temperature range
  • Which of the six terrestrial biomes the hotspot is found in
  • Amount of habitat that orginally existed and the amount of habitat currently remaining
  • Total number of endemic plant and animal species
  • At least 5 examples of endemic animal species (with pictures)
  • At least 5 examples of endemic plant species (with pictures)
  • At least 3 things that make the hotspot unique
  • A food web containing at least two different primary producers and at least 6 consumers found in the hotspot
  • The impact of humans on the hotspot
  • The current conservation efforts in the hotspot

You must use at least three DIFFERENT sources (Wikipedia articles ARE NOT acceptable sources!), one of which can be:

This is the website for Conservation International, one of the agencies working hard to preserve biodiversity around the world. This is a good place to begin your research.

THE POSTERS ARE DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH – NO EXCEPTIONS

10 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EACH DAY THE POSTER IS LATE.

Remember . . .

“ In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, we will understand only what we are taught.”

Baba Dioum, forest manager in Senegal

Hotspots of Biodiversity Poster Grading Rubric

Name:______Hotspot:______

Possible Points / Points Earned
Content
1. Name of hotspot / 5
2. Location / 5
3. Climate / 5
4. Biome / 5
5. Orginal Habitat vs Habitat left / 5
6. Total number of endemic plants / 5
7. Total number of endemic animals / 5
8. At least five plant examples (with pics) / 10
9. At least five animal examples (with pics) / 10
10. Three unique things about the hotspot / 10
11. Food web / 10
12. Human impacts / 10
13. Conservation efforts / 10
Other Requirements
14. At least three sources / 3
15. Size of poster / 1
16. NEATNESS and ORGANIZATION / 1

Total points:______

Hotspots of Biodiversity Poster Grading Rubric

Name:______Hotspot:______

Possible Points / Points Earned
Content
1. Name of hotspot / 5
2. Location / 5
3. Climate / 5
4. Biome / 5
5. Orginal Habitat vs Habitat left / 5
6. Total number of endemic plants / 5
7. Total number of endemic animals / 5
8. At least five plant examples (with pics) / 10
9. At least five animal examples (with pics) / 10
10. Three unique things about the hotspot / 10
11. Food web / 10
12. Human impacts / 10
13. Conservation efforts / 10
Other Requirements
14. At least three sources / 3
15. Size of poster / 1
16. NEATNESS and ORGANIZATION / 1

Total points:______