Introduction
The ecology project was focused on learning about ecology. All the groups first started with learning about what an ecosystem is and what all the components are. Then, each group was tasked with drawing out an ecosystem, making sure to include all abiotic and biotic factors. Abiotic factors are all the non living things, such as water, air, the terrain, etc. The biotic factors, or living components of an ecosystem, would include all the flora and fauna. Then, we incorporated the different energy and matter cycles into our diagram. These included the carbon cycle, energy cycle, and the nitrogen cycle. We also learned about climate and added that onto the diagram
After creating this diagram, each group then took what they learned about ecosystems and applied it to a project. This project was finding a failing ecosystem and proposing a solution to save the ecosystem. My group researched the Namibia Desert and found that the poaching of Black Rhinos was hurting the ecosystem. We then proposed a solution to fix this problem and presented it to the class.
The ecology project was focused on learning about ecology. All the groups first started with learning about what an ecosystem is and what all the components are. Then, each group was tasked with drawing out an ecosystem, making sure to include all abiotic and biotic factors. Abiotic factors are all the non living things, such as water, air, the terrain, etc. The biotic factors, or living components of an ecosystem, would include all the flora and fauna. Then, we incorporated the different energy and matter cycles into our diagram. These included the carbon cycle, energy cycle, and the nitrogen cycle. We also learned about climate and added that onto the diagram
After creating this diagram, each group then took what they learned about ecosystems and applied it to a project. This project was finding a failing ecosystem and proposing a solution to save the ecosystem. My group researched the Namibia Desert and found that the poaching of Black Rhinos was hurting the ecosystem. We then proposed a solution to fix this problem and presented it to the class.
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Content
Ecosystem - A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. We used ecosystems in our project because the main goal of the project was to save an ecosystem. Habitat - The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism. The habitat of the Black Rhinos was important to the project because we needed to find a solution that the habitat could support. Climate - The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. In our project, global warming was affecting the population of the Black Rhinos. Weather - The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc. Symbiosis - Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association. Abiotic Factors - A nonliving condition or thing, as climate or habitat, that influences or affects an ecosystem and the organisms in it. Biotic Factors - Any living component that affects another organism, or shapes the ecosystem. The biotic factors of the Namibia Desert include rhinos, hyenas, small life, and the plants of the desert. Trophic Levels - Each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy. 10% Rule - When energy is passed in an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only ten percent of the energy will be passed on. Carrying Capacity - The number of people, other living organisms, or crops that a region can support without environmental degradation. Energy Cycle - The cycle of how energy travels through an ecosystem. The energy starts at the autotrophs who make the energy through photosynthesis. Then the energy moves up when an organism eats another organism at a lower trophic level. Carbon Cycle - the processes by which carbon moves through the environment, involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels. Biomes - Large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat Food Chain - a hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food and energy. Food Web - a system of interlocking and interdependent food chains. Used to represent complex relationships in ecosystem. Population Density - Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume |
Reflection
In these series of projects, my group did well in two subjects. An aspect that my group did well on was getting a constant amount of progress done each day. Having constant progress being made removes the stress of having to do a major amount of work on the last day. Another subject we strived in was collaboration. We were able to communicate to each other clearly, allowing us to work hard and achieve progress. Working well in groups is an importing skill to have because it creates a more productive environment to work in. On the other hand, one area where we could have improved on was having a better work ethic. While we did get work done every day, my group definitely could have stayed on task more and worked harder. Another area where we could have improved was presenting. When we presented, we did not have enough practice so some people stumbled or said the wrong thing. Having a better presentation next time will allow us to get our ideas across to people more easily.
In these series of projects, my group did well in two subjects. An aspect that my group did well on was getting a constant amount of progress done each day. Having constant progress being made removes the stress of having to do a major amount of work on the last day. Another subject we strived in was collaboration. We were able to communicate to each other clearly, allowing us to work hard and achieve progress. Working well in groups is an importing skill to have because it creates a more productive environment to work in. On the other hand, one area where we could have improved on was having a better work ethic. While we did get work done every day, my group definitely could have stayed on task more and worked harder. Another area where we could have improved was presenting. When we presented, we did not have enough practice so some people stumbled or said the wrong thing. Having a better presentation next time will allow us to get our ideas across to people more easily.