Introduction: Spend at least 3 hours of active observation at a natural area, the zoo, or an aquarium. Please consider that some animals are active only during certain times of the day or in favorable temperature and moisture conditions. Take careful notes on organisms identified. You should observe the organisms and take note of their habitat/enclosure and interaction with other members of the community or other species. Also take notice of sounds, smells, the weather, etc., not just the plants and animals seen. Allow another 2-3 hours for researching about the organisms you have identified. 1. Outline(1 page): Identify and focus on four organisms that you encountered during your experience. Classify each organism ecologically. Construct a one-page (minimum) outline about where you went (note the sounds, smells, weather, etc.), what organisms you identified. Include research that addresses the following questions for each organism (if applicable). • What part does it play in the community? Is it a producer, herbivore, carnivore, top carnivore, reducer, or decomposer? Where does it get its nutrients? What eats it? • About how many were there? Mention distribution patterns (clumps or close grouping vs. more evenly scattered individuals) and interactions (mutualism, parasitism, predation, etc.). • Notice adaptations such as protective coloration (camouflage), means by which plant seeds are transported, interesting behaviors, etc. • What is its effect, if any, on man (pollen and hay fever, termites and wooden houses, “weeds” and pastures)? What effect has man had on this organism (climate change, habitat loss, pollution, etc.)? 2. Pictures and Sketches: Submit the pictures and sketches from your experience. 3. Citations: Be sure to list the references and guides used to identify organisms. Build on the outline you developed using the data you collected for Project 6 (your notes on the organisms identified and your research about these organisms) to write an organized report. Write an organized report (essay format) on each organism you studied. You may organize it by ecological role (producers, herbivores, carnivores), major organism type (algae, fungi, grasses, herbs, insects, mammals, birds), or any other logical, systematic theme you choose. 1. Identify and focus on at least four organisms that interest you. 2. Classify each organism ecologically. 3. Respond to the following questions (if applicable), for EACH organism: • What part does it play in the community? Is it a producer, herbivore, carnivore, top carnivore, reducer, or decomposer? Where does it get its nutrients? What eats it? • About how many were there? Mention distribution patterns (clumps or close grouping vs. more evenly scattered individuals) and interactions (mutualism, parasitism, predation, etc.). • Notice adaptations such as protective coloration (camouflage), means by which plant seeds are transported, interesting behaviors, etc. • What is its effect, if any, on man (pollen and hay fever, termites and wooden houses, “weeds” and pastures)? What effect has man had on this organism (climate change, habitat loss, pollution, etc.)? 4. Include scientific and common names: Use both scientific and common names to refer to organisms. Scientific names generally consist of the Latin genus and species name of the organism. The genus name is always capitalized, while the species name is never capitalized. The names must also be in italics or underlined. (For example, the scientific name for humans is Homo sapien.) You may find these names in identification guides from the library or on the Internet. 5. Citations: Be sure to list the references and guides used to identify organisms and provide further information for your report. 6. Report length: This report should consist of a 500-word (minimum) write up on EACH of the four organisms. Study Materials: Virtual San Diego Zoo https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams Virtual Georgia Aquarium https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/ https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/20-3-terrestrial-biomes https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/21-3-preserving-biodiversity
