PRODUCT: Ecosystem Overview and Human-Impact Analysis

TRIMESTER PROJECT

Ecosystems & Biomes

PRODUCT: ecosystem overview and human-impact analysis

SUBJECT: describe an ecosystem, including location, climate, soil, native plants and animals; select a current issue involving ecosystem and human-impact: either an endangered species or environmental concern

Your assignment

choose a location that meets the “location requirements” found below (labeled “LOCATION REQUIREMENTS ITEM #1”)
construct a written report (and in your own words):
Ecosystem overview - describe an ecosystem, including location, climate, soil, at least three examples of local vegetation and three local animals

(see suggestions below, labeled “QUESTIONS FOR 2.a.”)

Current Issue - select one:
The fate of one endangered species in your biome -OR-
an environmental issue that threatens the health of your biome

(see the table below for suggestions – it is labeled “SUGGESTIONS FOR 2.b.ii.”)

NOT NECESSARY, BUT RECOMMENDED (ex: A vs. A+): include “something else” in addition to your written report. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Poster
Tri-fold Brochure (travel, general, endangered, environmental issue, etc.)
Video (must be approved)
Artistic representation – painting, sculpture, diorama, etc.
Photo essay
Other…

****Full report will include:

Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
Item #2’s “Written Report” (Introduction, Main Body, Conclusion)
Bibliography (MLA formatted with in text citations)
(if you choose to do this:) Item # 3’s “something else”

LOCATION REQUIREMENTS ITEM #1

you must choose a place that currently has some human influence (direct/nearby or indirect)
choose a location specific enough that you are able to identify and research the area and select a current issue of concern; be careful not to be too specific or too general

*** research your sources in the beginning!! Other sources may come later, but this way you will not get “stuck” on a region for which you cannot find much data

QUESTIONS FOR 2.a.:

1. Include a separate page with a map showing where your ecosystem is located.

2. Describe the climate of your ecosystem. Do altitude and latitude affect the climate? (ex: yearly pattern of temperature and precipitation, seasons, sunlight)

3. Discuss the geographical features of your ecosystem (ex: grassy, mountainous).

Discuss the different types of vegetation and how they adapt to your ecosystem (i.e., how are they able to survive).

Ex: types of trees and plants

~Research 3 unique plants and describe how they adapt to your ecosystem’s climate (plants and trees in a rainforest are very different than those found in the desert)

Report on at least 3types of animals found in the ecosystem and their physical and behavioral adaptations to their environment. How are they able to survive?
Why is my ecosystem important?

SUGGESTIONS FOR 2.b.ii.

The following table gives you suggestions of issues from which you can choose. You are not limited to the examples given on this table. If you select an endangered species or environmental issue not on the lists below, please get approval from me!

Choice #1: For those of you that choose to focus on an endangered species:

Describe the part of your ecosystem that the endangered species occupies.
What is happening to the endangered species of your choice?
Why is this species endangered?
What is the global impact of losing this species?

Choice #2: For those of you that choose to focus on an environmental issue:

Describe the part of your ecosystem that is being impacted by this issue.
What is the environmental issue? Describe it.
Why is this problem occurring?
What is the global impact of this problem?

DUE DATE: 4/19/10

First deliverable includes:

1)location selection

2)current concern/issue (endangered species or environmental concern)

3)at least three sources of information that demonstrate you have done some background research on your location to be sure it will fit this assignment (these do NO need to be MLA formatted…yet!)