Evidence of Work:
In this project we were given three weeks to research a specific biome and look at a human impact on that ecosystem. Our group researched the African savanna and more specifically looked at the impact of poaching. Our goal was to inform people about poaching and to spread awareness. We did this by creating a website and an Instagram page. Both sites have facts about the African bush elephant and all the poaching that has been happening to this creature. There are also websites attached so that people can donate to help save animals from poaching.
In this project we were given three weeks to research a specific biome and look at a human impact on that ecosystem. Our group researched the African savanna and more specifically looked at the impact of poaching. Our goal was to inform people about poaching and to spread awareness. We did this by creating a website and an Instagram page. Both sites have facts about the African bush elephant and all the poaching that has been happening to this creature. There are also websites attached so that people can donate to help save animals from poaching.
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Content:
Carrying Capacity- The amount of organisms living in an area that allows that ecosystem to survive and sustain. The carrying capacity of some ecosystems are being changed due to all the human impacts like pollution.
Abiotic- all the non living parts of an ecosystem. The living things in the environment rely on them to survive. Some examples are water, rocks, the atmosphere, and many other things.
Biotic- all the living parts of an ecosystem. This is any organism that is alive. Some examples are trees or birds but it can be any plant or animal in an ecosystem.
Carbon Cycle- This cycle goes through photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Plants release CO2 into the air and cellular respiration takes it back in. Also when organisms die, they decompose and turn into fossil fuels that we burn back into the air.
Nitrogen Cycle- Most nitrogen in the atmosphere is in the form that we can't use so it goes into the ground and then into the plants through bacteria. This allows us to get nitrogen in a way that we can use. Once the animals die they are decomposed and the nitrogen is released back into the ground and air.
Water Cycle- no water is created or destroyed, only recycled through a big circle. Water from the oceans are evaporated and then the clouds precipitate and it makes its way back into the ocean. This ongoing cycle can cause our water supply to become polluted easily.
Symbiosis- The relationships between organisms in an ecosystem. There are four types of symbiosis, Mutualism, predidation, commensalism, and competition. Any organism that relies on another to survive is considered symbiosis.
Mutualism- (+/+) a relationship where both the organisms benefit from it. An example of this is flowers and bees because the bees are getting their food while the flowers are being pollinated from it.
Predidation- (+/-) a relationship where one organism benefits while the other one doesn't. An example of this would be a parasite on a puppy where the parasite is gaining and the puppy is suffering.
Commensalism- (+/0) a relationship where one organism benefits while the other stays the same. An example of this is clown fish and a sea anemone. The fish uses the anemone for a home and protection and the anemone is neutral.
Competition- (-/-) a relationship where both organisms are suffering. An example of this is if a fox and a bird have the same prey of a frog.
Biomass- the mass of all the organisms in an environment without water. Any living organism in an area like trees or an animal without the water.
Mutualism- (+/+) a relationship where both the organisms benefit from it. An example of this is flowers and bees because the bees are getting their food while the flowers are being pollinated from it.
Predidation- (+/-) a relationship where one organism benefits while the other one doesn't. An example of this would be a parasite on a puppy where the parasite is gaining and the puppy is suffering.
Commensalism- (+/0) a relationship where one organism benefits while the other stays the same. An example of this is clown fish and a sea anemone. The fish uses the anemone for a home and protection and the anemone is neutral.
Competition- (-/-) a relationship where both organisms are suffering. An example of this is if a fox and a bird have the same prey of a frog.
Biomass- the mass of all the organisms in an environment without water. Any living organism in an area like trees or an animal without the water.
Food web- a way to show the energy flow throughout the ecosystem. The arrows show the movement of energy. Only 10% of the energy is passed from organism to organism. The remaining energy is used for surviving purposes by that animal like getting food or growing. The Energy starts from the sun and then plants take it in during photosynthesis. The plants are eaten and the energy is passed on.
Limiting Factors- Factors that can limit or decrease the population. There are dependent and independent factors that can control the population size. Dependent means that the factors will only be a problem once the population is too big (like not enough space or resources). Independent means that the factors could happen at anytime no matter what the population size is (like natural disasters).
Biodiversity- all of the different organisms living together on Earth. We all came from a common ancestor and we have all evolved to fit our certain lifestyles. The different traits that organisms have formed help others in some way.
Human impact- Human factors that cause a change in the environment. Some examples of this is pollution, deforestation, climate change, overpopulation, and many more. We have put a huge dent in our ecosystems because of all the horrible things we have done.
Reflection:
This project went really well. I feel like our group worked really good and efficiently together. We could have done a few things a little differently to make this project even better. First, we could have gone over our project a few more times to see if we could add anything. Our group finished a few days early so we had time to go over it. Also, we could have practiced the presentation as a group to know who was doing what and to make it even better. I think we did a great job at splitting up the work. At the start of the project we split the guide into four parts and each one of us took a part and researched it. This made the project very easy and efficient. As a group we were also very good at time management. We had certain days we wanted parts to be done so we could move on and have time at the end to go over everything. I think this project was a success and I am excited for the next ones to come.
Biodiversity- all of the different organisms living together on Earth. We all came from a common ancestor and we have all evolved to fit our certain lifestyles. The different traits that organisms have formed help others in some way.
Human impact- Human factors that cause a change in the environment. Some examples of this is pollution, deforestation, climate change, overpopulation, and many more. We have put a huge dent in our ecosystems because of all the horrible things we have done.
Reflection:
This project went really well. I feel like our group worked really good and efficiently together. We could have done a few things a little differently to make this project even better. First, we could have gone over our project a few more times to see if we could add anything. Our group finished a few days early so we had time to go over it. Also, we could have practiced the presentation as a group to know who was doing what and to make it even better. I think we did a great job at splitting up the work. At the start of the project we split the guide into four parts and each one of us took a part and researched it. This made the project very easy and efficient. As a group we were also very good at time management. We had certain days we wanted parts to be done so we could move on and have time at the end to go over everything. I think this project was a success and I am excited for the next ones to come.