The Project
In this project we were tasked with researching a species and its environment and connecting it to our ecology unit. We then focused in more specifically on how we humans affect this certain ecosystem and species. Finding a working solution was the next step in this project. Not only is ecology about how species work together or sometimes against each other to keep the world going, but how they can impact one another in an irreversible way. We looked at manatees and their warm water environment and how human pollution and over hunting affect them. To solve this we proposed ideas such as boat engine covers and less fuel use to slow and stop the population decline of these creatures and their neighbors in these warm waters. Specifics on these solutions and the rest of our project can be found below:
https://savethemanateespls.weebly.com/
*Unfortunately our school has restricted Instagram on school chromebooks but if you are interested in visiting our informative page on this site look up "Manatee Morality Corp" in the search bar while logged in.
Vocab and Ideas
Carrying Capacity - maximum amount of individuals that an environment can handle having
Abiotic - physical or non-physical factors that shape and ecosystem
Biotic - biological influences on organisms within the ecosystem
Levels of Organization - individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere
Symbiosis - Any relationship in which two species live closely together
Limiting Factors - causes population growth to decreaseBiodiversity - Many different types of organisms
Abiotic - physical or non-physical factors that shape and ecosystem
Biotic - biological influences on organisms within the ecosystem
Levels of Organization - individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere
Symbiosis - Any relationship in which two species live closely together
- Mutualism-both species benefit-Ex: flowers and insects
- Commensalism-one species benefits, the second is neither helped nor harmed-Ex: barnacles on a whale’s skin
- Parasitism-one organism lives on or inside another and harms it-Ex: tapeworms, fleas and ticks\
Limiting Factors - causes population growth to decreaseBiodiversity - Many different types of organisms
Food Web
Water, Nitrogen, and Carbon Cycle
Reflection
When I think back on this project I see that my group and I all accomplished our goals and had a good time while doing it. Everybody in my group worked efficiently and equally and not once did we ever argue or disagree on ideas. As an individual I put a lot of time and effort into this project. I worked on the weekends and with other group members away from school on making sure that we connected to the subject and cause as deeply as possible. I could have incorporated other group members ideas more into the end product and at times could've worked harder to keep everyone on task. I also could've prepared more for the final presentation, but that being said I am very happy with how everything turned out and the hard work my team members put into this project.