Download BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

- Total 90 points.
MODIFIED:May 11,2011
BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH PAPER
Due: __________________
FORMAT-Each section of the paper should have titles, subtitles and the numbered sections as described in the
assignment. Maximum 5 typed pages, excluding figures, list of sources and cover page.
FONT-It should be typed single-spaced and separated into short summarized paragraphs spaced from each other. Make
the paper reader-friendly: Font MUST BE=12. Maintain the font and Format consistent throughout the paper.
CITATION and SURCES- All sources must be cited by number at the end of each paragraph. The complete list of
sources must be listed in the last page. A source must contain 1. Title of article, 2. Sponsor or Authors of the article, 3.
Page number or URL and 4. Year published or date posted in Internet.
POINTS FOR PRESENTATION and FORMAT- Points will be deducted per section; for Format-up to 2 pt, citations-up
to 2pt. Complete list of sources- last page (8pt). Cover page with complete information (3 pt).
This project will help you learn the history of human actions that have affected our planet’s wildlife. You will
research INFLUENTIAL INDIVIDUALS and ORGANIZATIONS involved in conservation of lands and species.
In the SPECIES section, you will research various types of species, remember that biodiversity is the key factor
to a sustainable biosphere in our planet Earth.
NOTE: When analyzing the causes of endangerment, remember that there are 3 levels of biodiversity that need to be
retained to save a species:
1. POPULATION- a species genetic diversity that will increase its genetic adaptability
2.
COMMUNITY in an ECOSYSTEM- diversity of interacting organisms maintaining a stable, sustainable
ecosystem where biogeochemical cycles are in balance.
3.
BIOMES in the BIOSPHERE – A diversity of ecosystems that support global cycles and sustains the
ecosystems that provide habitat to multiple forms of species.
Research paper sections:
I. INFLUENTIAL INDIVIDUALS: Present the individuals in chronological order. (24pt)
Research 3 influential people from the following list; each had an impact on the conservation
and the environmental movement in this country. MAX. 2 typed page.
Research 3 important individuals from the list below, and describe:
a. BIOGRAPHY: time period, education, background –brief biography (3pt)
b. EFFORTS and GOALS: describe their actions related to this topic, while they were alive.(3pt)
c. LEGACY: judge their impact or legacy in terms of biodiversity and the environment. (institutions, laws
or other main events inspired by them) (2pt)
LIST: President Theodore Roosevelt, Audubon, Rachel Carson, Aldous Leopold, Thomas Robert Malthus, Gaylord Nelson,
John Muir, Jane Goodall, Al Gore
II.
IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS: Do research on 3 institutions/organizations listed below;
they are involved in conservation of species and ecosystems. MAX. 2 typed pages. (24pt)
a. FOUNDING HISTORY & MISSION: Date it was founded, who founded it and how it was founded.
Describe the mission and goals (2 pt).
b. FUNDING & LEVEL OF ACTION: describe the source(s) of funding. Explain whether they act at the
national or international level (3pt)
c. CURRENT ACTIVITY: Describe ONE specific activity the group is involved in right now. Describe
exact actions and where it takes place-MUST BE CURRENT EVENT, WITHIN THE LAST YEAR.(3pt)
LIST: World Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Conservation International, CITES, US
Fish and Wildlife, The Wilderness Society, National Wildlife Refuges, Sea Grant, Department of Natural
Resources, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Friends of the Chicago River
III. SPECIES: Select TWO type of organisms from the following list of six (1 throgh 6) and
research the sections described. (1 page for each) (30pt)
LIST:
1. ENDANGERED ANIMAL: Select an endangered animal species and discuss the following for each
one. MAX 1 typed page.
a. Species picture, and map of their habitat-range. Describe their characteristics and niche. (5pt)
b. Explain in detail how it became endangered; other concerns (5pt)
c. What are the current human efforts to re-establish these species and specific organizations
involved? Describe in detail. (5pt)
2. ENDANGERED PLANT IN THE USA: Select an endangered plant species from the USA and
discuss: (MAX 1 typed page)
a. Species picture, and map of their habitat-range. Describe their characteristics and niche. (5pt)
b. Explain in detail how it became endangered; other concerns (5pt)
c. What are the current human efforts to re-establish these species and specific organizations
involved? Describe in detail. (5pt)
3. EXTINCT SPECIES: Select an extinct species from in the last 200 years and discuss:
(MAX 1 typed page)
a. Species picture and map with former habitat, describe it’s characteristics and niche (5pt)
b. Explain how it became extinct-the year; provide a little history (5pt)
c. What are some of the consequences or impacts of having these species become extinct? You
may also describe who has taken over it’s niche and the type of awareness brought. (5pt)
4. MIGRATORY SPECIES: Select a migratory species and find out migratory paths and the difficulties
they encounter. (MAX 1 typed page)
a. Species picture, a map showing habitat/ migratory path by season, describe it’s
characteristics/niche. (5 pt)
b. Describe the migratory path and some of the difficulties they encounter. (5pt)
c. What are the current human efforts to re-establish their migratory paths and conserve the
species? Discuss the specific organizations/institutions involved. Describe efforts and how they
may help or how successful they are. (5pt)
5. INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE USA: Select an invasive species that has created an ecological issue
in the USA and discuss: (MAX 1 typed page)
a. Species picture and a map of original habitat/range, describe it’s niche/characteristics. (5pt)
b. Explain how it was introduced to the USA. Describe the characteristics that make it invasive
and a map of showing it’s invasive habitat. (5pt)
c. What are some of the consequences on the ecosystem from having this species introduced?
Discuss efforts to control the invasive species by specific organizations/institutions/laws. (5pt)
6. INDICATOR SPECIES: Select an indicator species used to evaluate the quality of and ecosystem
such as a river, reef, marsh, grassland or forest. (MAX 1 typed page)
a. Species picture and a map of habitat/range, describe it’s niche/characteristics (5pt)
b. Explain what makes it an indicator; what is the species sensitive to in the particular habitat or
ecosystem. (5pt)
c. How is it used or how is it compared to in order to determine the quality of a PARTICULAR
ecosystem in the world. Discuss the restoration or monitoring effort. And the location and the
specific organization/institution involved. (5pt)
Useful sites:
History of Conservation in the USA: http://www.cincinnati.com/nie/archive/03-18-03/
US Fish and Wildlife Service and some legislation: http://training.fws.gov/history/origins.html
Environmental Movement Timeline: http://earthday.wilderness.org/history/timeline_list.htm
Early environmental Movement-Industrial Revolution-up to 1890; good site if you know the dates because it
is very detailed:
http://www.runet.edu/~wkovarik/envhist/4industrial.html
Migratory Birds from Alaska: http://earthday.wilderness.org/migmax/