Download File - Broz Science

Name ___________________________________________________ Period _____
Broz Biology Research Project
Possible Solutions for Minimizing the Impact of Humans on the Ecosystem of Brazos Bend State Park
I. Background Information Before Field Trip- read the following and complete two column notes in your
research project composition book. http://texasaquaticscience.org
Chapters 1, 2, 3,4,5,6, 9, 10, 14
On the bus – preview the Brazos Bend Outdoor Guide http://www.brazosbend.org/parkinfo/Guide.pdf
II. Primary research – Brazos Bend State Park
Investigate the research question by collecting data from the field.
Collect data by recording observations in your composition book and taking photographs. (Note the
varied flora and fauna, try to identify species and note interactions between species. Identify impacts
humans have on this ecosystem.)
Make sure you have done your background homework and ask your guide lots of questions.
III. Secondary research
Investigate the research question using data that was previously collected by an outside source. For this
type of research, you gather secondary data from online databases, and publications. (You should look for
general information about the ways humans have impacted wetland ecosystems, and also for solutions
others have come up with to lessen these negative impacts.)
IV. Decide on a citation format and create an annotated bibliography in your composition book. Remember
to include all the information that you will need to create your citations and take copious notes (you will
need them later)
Try these sites
https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/learning/aquaticscience/maps.pdf
https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/texas_rare_species/listed_species/
https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/exotic/
http://www.brazosbend.org/activities/wkdprog.shtml gator and plants and animal tabs
V. Develop an Environmental Action Plan
Analyze a previously developed environmental action plan, and then develop a new unique plan that
would apply to BBSP. (Identify the positive elements of your plan and also any limitations that could
impede the implementation of this environmental action plan at BBSP.)
Name ___________________________________________________ Period _____
Try Open Source Journals to find this information: Open source journals do not charge readers to access
its content. You may search, view, print and save articles for no cost or subscription.
Directory of Open Access Journals http://www.doaj.org
High Wire Press, Stanford University http://highwire.stanford.edu/
BioMed Central http://www.biomedcentral.com
Public Library of Science http://www.plos.org
More Resource Databases
Name: AIRNow
Link: http://airnow.gov/
Description: Contains historical air quality measurements from sites across the U.S.
Link: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS/
Description: The BBS monitors the status and trends of North American bird populations.
Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plants
Link: http://plants.usda.gov/
Description: Contains data on plants such as range, nativity, invasive status, wetland indicator
status, ethnobotanical uses, wildlife value, and species life history information.
Name: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Data
Link: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/rt
Description: Stream flow records available for many rivers in streams throughout the US.
Name: U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Climatic Data Center
Link: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/about/about.html
Description: The world's largest active archive of weather data. Our mission is to provide
access and stewardship to the Nation's resource of global climate and weather
related data and information, and assess and monitor climate variation and change.
Name: Web Soil Survey (WSS)
Link: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/
Description: Provides national and local soils data and information from the USDA’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Name ___________________________________________________ Period _____
VI - Create a Research Paper
Part 1 - Introduction
o Organize your introduction in a logical order.
o Start with the big picture then narrow down to your topic.
o Use the most interesting background information from your research as a starting point.
Include many references to convince the reader why this study is important.
o State your objective at the end of the introduction.
Part 2 – Location and Climate of BBSP
Use subheadings for each section.
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Latitude and longitude
Average temperatures
Average precipitation amounts
Recorded abnormalities in last 10 years
Part 3 – Flora (plants) and Fauna (animals) of BBSP
Use subheadings for each section
o Plant/Animal descriptions and adaptations
o Endangered Species
o Introduced or invasive species
Part 4 – Ecological Relationships
Use subheadings for each section
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Parasitism
Mutualism
Commensalism
Prey/Predator
Part 5 –Human Impact – Results
o Use similar subheadings as in the previous section
o State your assumptions (e.g., “Humans have had a negative impact on the habitat,
because……”
o For each section, state the major result you found about each of the following –
pollution, loss of habitat, impact of global climate change (like increased annual
temperatures, flooding and drought), invasive species.
o Refer to your figures and tables.
Part 6 – Solutions to Environmental Problem – Action Plan
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Again use subheadings
Refer to other action plans
State your Action Plan
Use references to other studies to explain the implications of your action plan
Part 7- Conclusion
Name ___________________________________________________ Period _____
o Restate the major findings and implications of your research.
o What future action needs to be done to more fully support this habitat?
Part 8 - References
o List all references that you cite using a consistent style.
Part 9 - Figures and Tables
o Represent data in a clear and organized way.
o Each figure and table should stand on its own without having to refer back to the text.
o Include your weather information, flora and fauna illustrations, and the map of Brazos
Bend in this section
Part 10 - Appendices
o Contains information that is non-essential to understanding of the paper, but
may present information that further clarifies a point.
Include your food web illustration here
VII – Create a Digital Presentation
To create an effective and professional presentation of your research use the following tips:
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Create a consistent and simple design template.
Be consistent with font, colors, and background through the presentation.
Use high quality images.
Keep it simple:
Avoid the use of flashy transitions such as text fly-ins.
Do not crowd each slide with too much text and too many images
Limit the use of numbers, because they will overwhelm your audience. Instead of
presenting a data table, use visual aids such as graphs
o Limit the total number of slides in the presentation.
o During the title slide introduce your study.
o During each slide remember to state the major point
o Face your audience and talk to your audience. Do not face or talk to the screen.
Make eye contact with your audience. Smile.
o Time your whole presentation
o Anticipate questions from the audience Prepare for the worst: Have a Plan B in the event
of technical difficulties, such as an extra flash drive
o Practice with someone. Ask them for honest feedback.
Name ___________________________________________________ Period _____
TEKS Covered in this research project:
1) Scientific processes. The student, for at least 40% of instructional time, conducts laboratory
and field investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices. The
student is expected to:(A) demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations;
and
11) Science concepts. The student knows that biological systems work to achieve and maintain
balance. The student is expected to:(A) describe the role of internal feedback mechanisms in the
maintenance of homeostasis;(B) investigate and analyze how organisms, populations, and
communities respond to external factors;(C) summarize the role of microorganisms in both
maintaining and disrupting the health of both organisms and ecosystems; and(D) describe how
events and processes that occur during ecological succession can change populations and species
diversity.
(12) Science concepts. The student knows that interdependence and interactions occur within an
environmental system. The student is expected to:(A) interpret relationships, including predation,
parasitism, commensalism, mutualism, and competition among organisms;(B) compare variations
and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems;(C) analyze the flow of matter and energy
through trophic levels using various models, including food chains, food webs, and ecological
pyramids;(D) recognize that long-term survival of species is dependent on changing resource
bases that are limited;(E) describe the flow of matter through the carbon and nitrogen cycles and
explain the consequences of disrupting these cycles; and
(F) describe how environmental change can impact ecosystem stability.