Part I: Carrying Capacity

Transcription

1 Part I: Carrying Capacity Read the article in your Student Guide, then answer the following questions. 1. Write a definition of carrying capacity. 2. Carrying capacity depends on what factors? 3. The carrying capacity of this lake equals 250 minnows. a. Can less than 250 minnows live in this lake? b. Can more than 250 minnows live in this lake? c. Let s say that there are 240 minnows in this lake when the amount of resources in this lake decreased, and the carrying capacity drops from 250 to 200 minnows. What will happen to the minnow population? Why will this happen? 4. What do you think would happen if we did not have hunting seasons? 5. What are some other ways to help control certain species from reaching their carrying capacities? 6. How would the introduction of a new species in an ecosystem affect the carrying capacity of the other species in that environment? 1

2 Part I: Carrying Capacity, continued Refer to the following graphs for the next set of questions. 7. What is the carrying capacity (approximately) for Graph A? 8. Approximately during which year did the population in Graph A reach the carrying capacity of its ecosystem? 9. About how many years did it stay at the carrying capacity in Graph A? 10. What are the carrying capacities for Graph B? 11. How many years did the population in Graph B spend at the first carrying capacity? 12. During which year did the population reach the next carrying capacity in Graph B? 13. Which carrying capacity is more stable in Graph B? Why do you think so? 14. What do you think caused a shift in carrying capacity for Graph B? 2

3 Part II: Ecological Succession Read the article in your Student Guide, and then answer the following questions. 1. What is ecological succession? 2. What are the two major types of ecological succession? 3. What is a pioneer species? Give an example. 4. What type of succession has been occurring since Hurricane Charley? Explain. 5. What final ecological stage will exist in Florida after many years of succession? 6. On a separate sheet of paper, create a Venn Diagram using the following descriptors to compare and contrast primary and secondary succession: a. Can reach a climax community b. Forms on exposed rock c. No soil d. Organisms are currently there e. Pioneer species will emerge f. No previous living organisms living there g. Most common type h. Occurs after volcanic eruptions i. Occurs after a hurricane j. Occurs with glaciers k. Occurs after a wildfire l. Gradual change in the environment 3

4 Part III: Succession Stations After visiting each station, answer the following questions. Station 1: Mount St. Helens Before and After 1. What are two characteristics of a volcanic eruption? 2. How would these animal populations be affected by the habitat destruction caused by this volcanic eruption? a. Eagles: b. Trout: c. Wolves:: 3. After some time, various organisms would return and establish themselves at this site as pioneer species. Would all of the organisms be the same ones that were there before the eruption? Explain your answer. Station 2: Hurricane Katrina 1. Describe three characteristics associated with a hurricane. 2. How were organisms in the locations pictured affected by the hurricane? 3. How would the storm surge from the hurricane affect plant life? Animal life? 4

5 Part III: Succession Stations, continued Station 3: Forest fire 1. What are two characteristics of a forest fire? 2. The forest fire was a catastrophic event that caused habitat destruction. However, sometimes this can be helpful in an environment. What are the possible benefits for organisms that survived and new organisms that will appear in the forest? a. A population of deer: b. Plant species:: c. A climax community old growth forest: Station 4: Kilauea Lava Flow 3. Describe two characteristics of a lava flow. 4. What challenges exist for pioneer species plant seeds that are blown onto an area newly covered with lava? 5. Would you expect to see pollinators such as butterflies and other insects in this area six months after the volcanic eruption? Why or why not? 5

6 Part III: Succession Stations, continued Station 5: Indonesian Tsunami 1. Describe the cause of a tsunami. 2. Make sketches of what you predict the landscape will look like as succession occurs after the Indonesian tsunami. 2 years 5 years 10 years 20 years Station 6: Strip Mines 1. What is strip mining? 2. Will the land that has undergone the strip mining process return to its original state after reclamation? Explain. 3. How might strip mining affect the diversity of species in an area? 6

7 Part IV: Field Investigation and Technology Connections 1. What type of data are you collecting during this investigation (qualitative or quantitative)? Why are you collecting this type of data in this investigation? 2. List the safety precautions and rules your teacher provides while working in the field. 3. Use the space below to plan your presentation with your group. 7

8 Reflections and Conclusions 1. What is a climax community? 2. Describe how the destruction of a habitat by a natural disaster might affect species diversity. 3. Describe how the destruction of a habitat by a natural disaster might affect the diversity of a population. 4. How would the destruction of a habitat by human causes affect the diversity of numbers of species or populations of species? Give an example. 5. How do biological competition and limiting factors affect species and populations during succession? 6. Why is species diversity important in an ecosystem? 7. Use additional paper to create a graphic organizer with the following terms: biodiversity, habitat destruction, succession, primary succession, secondary succession, climax community, limiting factor, natural disasters, and carrying capacity 8