Unit A Project – Researching a Species at Risk- FOR MARKS
Completion requirements
Project – Researching a Species at Risk
Unit A Project
Project – Researching a Species at Risk
In this project, you will prepare an action plan to protect a species at risk. You are required to submit this project to your teacher for marks. Very carefully, read the
whole project and how to do it. Be sure to read the requirements and rubric,
they explain the expectations for this project and how it will be
marked. Click here if you need tips on how to create a good project!
Situation
The Government of Canada has a list of species at risk. You can find these species at the Species at Risk Registry. These include species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened, as well as those of special concern. If you do not remember the meanings of these terms, review lesson A12.
The Government of Canada has a list of species at risk. You can find these species at the Species at Risk Registry. These include species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened, as well as those of special concern. If you do not remember the meanings of these terms, review lesson A12.
Task
You are expected to learn as much as you can about one species at risk in Canada. As you learn about the species, focus on its population status. What is happening to its population in Canada? Why is it at risk? Be prepared to do separate searches online for your answers. Keep track of the websites you visit so you can add them to your sources page. Then, you will produce an action plan to protect this species and its ecosystem.
You are expected to learn as much as you can about one species at risk in Canada. As you learn about the species, focus on its population status. What is happening to its population in Canada? Why is it at risk? Be prepared to do separate searches online for your answers. Keep track of the websites you visit so you can add them to your sources page. Then, you will produce an action plan to protect this species and its ecosystem.
When you have chosen a species but before you begin your research, ask yourself these questions:
-
How is this species important to its ecosystem? What ecological roles does it have? (Review Lessons
A3 and
A4)
-
What human activities put this species at risk? (Review Lesson
A11)
-
Which of this species’ needs are not being met? (Review Lesson
A2)
- What can humans do to restore the means to meet those needs? (Review Lesson A14)
Requirements
1. First, build an ecological profile of your chosen species:
2. Second, build an action plan to protect the species.
1. First, build an ecological profile of your chosen species:
Start a word document. Include the following categories:
- Description of the species (What is the organism’s size and other features? Where does it live? Include a photo or drawing.)
- Description of habitat (Where does it live, feed, and reproduce? What does this ecosystem look like?)
- Food web and relationships with other species (How does the species fit into its food chain and food web? Focus on what it eats and who eats it. Build a simple food web that incorporates the species. How is the species important to its food web?) Do not just copy and paste a food web from the internet, but draw a simple web on your own showing what you have learned.
- Sources page (Where did you get your information? What sites did you visit?)
2. Second, build an action plan to protect the species.
- Describe how the species is at risk. Is it extirpated, endangered, threatened, or of special concern? Is it threatened by habitat loss, habitat destruction (such as loss of water source, pollution of water, air, or soil, loss of breeding
sites), over-hunting, climate change, or invasive species? How many threats is it facing at the same time? Explain in detail.
- Protection plan – ways the threats can be reversed. How can the species ecosystem be restored? Does it require the protection or restoration of a specific habitat? Could more be done to protect it? How does its protection benefit humans? Describe a detailed plan of action!
Remember you must write your report in your own words. You cannot just copy and paste from various websites.
Rubric
Submitting Your Work
Note that when you submit anything to your teacher, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME IN THE DOCUMENT TITLE. For example, you might title it something like this:
unitA_project_Jenny_Smith.doc
- If you print your work and/or do pencil drawing(s) on another piece of paper, you must scan your work to submit it.
- If you have prepared any other electronic images or documents for this project, you must submit them.
- If you have used an Internet location where your project is located, you must submit the URL so your teacher can view your work.
Note that when you submit anything to your teacher, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME IN THE DOCUMENT TITLE. For example, you might title it something like this:
unitA_project_Jenny_Smith.doc