Ecology

Lab AssignmentConstruct 4 different food chains and 2 food websOnce each is completedI will check

Draw chains/webs as data

Write up lab report

Lab write up (4chains/2 webs)Introduction---what are we doing?Materials---listProcedure---What did we do?Results/data---drawings of food chains/websConclusion---Why are food chains/webs important?What happens if you take one animal or plant out of the chain?What happens when there are more organisms in a food web?Should we protect animals/plants from extinction?BiodiversityBiodiversityBiodiversity is the variety and number of species in a specific area. Biodiversity increases closer to the equator and in mountainous areas

Importance of BiodiversityPlants and algae produce oxygen and remove CO2Humans depend on other organisms for foodDrugs in health are often formed from organic compoundsExotic SpeciesAn exotic species is a species that is not native to a particular regionCan threaten native species Native species dont have defenses against exotic species

Value Of Biodiversity If a species is removed from an ecosystem it can have a drastic effect on the entire ecosystemSpecies is removed from food chain All other species suffer

ExtinctionExtinction is the disappearance of a species Earth loses 1 species per year per million species due to human activity 40% of all prescription drugs are made from some sort of living thing Humans will be affected if they go extinct

Ethical Reasons Many people believe that humans should be responsible for preserving biodiversity for ethical reasonsSpecies and ecosystems have a right to exist and are valuable to natureIf we lose biodiversity then we lose fascination and a reason to study the environment

Human Mitigation1973-U.S. Endangered Species ActThe US has established natural preserves and parksYellow Stone National ParkBig Cypress National PreserveCrater Lake National Park