Gobies: Going, Going, Gone? A WebQuest for 6-8th Grade (Science)
Designed by Loris Chen (lchen@wyckoffschools.org)

Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits

Introduction

You are part of a team of specialists whose mission is to determine the best way to preserve two species of goby. Your team has been invited to make a presentation at an international conference where other teams will be competing for project funding.  Will your presentation earn your project funding? 

The Task

The populations of two species of gobies may be declining.  Pandaka pygmaea, the world’s smallest vertebrate, was added to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 1996 and may have already become extinct.  Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonenesis) is the smallest commercially harvested fish. Fishermen have reported a decreasing number of Sinarapan. Edible goby species are economically important to many parts of the Philippines where small-scale fisheries are the primary source of income. The decreasing population of goby species is of great concern to those who rely on them for an income.  These tiny fish are also an important source of protein in the diets of local people.

Your task is to:

1. find out what has caused the decline in the goby population in the Philippines
2. investigate methods for reversing the population trend
3. present a proposal that will increase and sustain goby populations so that they do not become threatened, endangered, or extinct

Your presentation must include graphics and visual organizers.  Presentations may be in the form of PowerPoint or overhead projector transparencies.
   

The Process

 Your team will:

1. research the biology of two species of goby
2. research the geographic distribution of the two species of goby
3. research the human uses of the two species of goby
4. research sustainable habitat preservation methods
5. develop a plan to study the effect of one sustainable method
6. create a presentation to secure funding for your study

Divide the tasks 1 though 4 among your group members so that each person has one research task.   Work together to complete tasks 5 and 6.

Task 1. The Biology of Mistichthys luzonensis and Pandaka pygmaea

The Question:  Why are the populations of these two species of goby so sensitive to current fishing practices?

Explore what’s known about these two species by entering the scientific names at Fishbase and for more information Pandaka pygmaea. Then read about Sinarapan.  To find out more about why Sinarapan are threatened go to One Ocean and scroll to the section titled “World’s smallest fish endangered.”

Task 2. Geographic Distribution of Mistichthys luzonensis and Pandaka pygmaea

The Question:  Where are these two species of goby found?

Create a map showing the geographic distribution of these two species by entering the species name at the OBIS Portal.  At the portal, enter the scientific name of the sea horse you will be mapping.  Select "all databases."  When the database search is complete, select "map geographic location."  Once the map appears, you may change its orientation by using the menu below the map.

To find the names of the location where these species have been collected, use the scientific name search at Fishbase.  How does geography explain the occurrence of the species?  What geography related factors have influenced survival of these species?  Find out about Mangrove habitats in the Philippines.
 

Task 3. Human uses of Mistichthys luzonensis and Pandaka pygmaea

The Question:  What uses do humans have for these small goby species?

To learn more about human uses of Sinarapan read “The World’s Smallest Commercial Fish.”

Task 4. Sustainable Habitat Management

The Question:  What are some possible sustainable strategies for habitat management?

Find out what is being done to restore habitat in freshwater systems and action being taken in the Philippines.  What is the status of mangrove habitat in the Philippines? 

Task 5. The Plan

Since you are a team of research scientists, your plan will need the following parts:

1. Research question- State in question that your research project will answer.
2. Background information- Provide information that someone would need to know in order to understand your plan.  Be sure to cite sources of information.  This is the place to put information about goby biology, geographic distribution, human uses of gobies, and sustainable habitat management methods. 
3. Hypothesis- A statement that describes the expected outcome of your project
4. Materials-  What you will need to conduct your research or implement your project and why these are essential
5. Procedure- List the steps you would take to conduct your research
6. Why your team thinks the plan will work- Link this to goby survival and sustainability of the goby populations.  Show a cause and effect relationship.

Task 6. The Presentation

Now it's time to sell your plan.  There's only so much money to go around.  Will your presentation convince the foundation to fund your plan?  Your presentation should include all the elements of your team's plan. Use visual aids. These might include maps, pictures, charts, tables, and/or an outline of key points. The presentation may be done use a computer-based presentation program or overhead transparencies. 

Each person should be responsible for presenting at least one part of the plan.

Evaluation

Your score for this project will be 40% based on your individual research notes and 60% based on the group's plan and presentation.

Conclusion

Conservation of a species is complicated by human needs and wants for products that use those species.  Sustainability is the concept that current needs may be met without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  What human needs or wants are met by the harvesting of gobies?  What where some of the economic considerations that you needed to understand?  What where some of the cultural considerations that you needed to understand?  What actions can you personally take to save the habitat?  What actions could your class take to save the habitat?
 

The World Land Trust is supporting habitat restoration research in the Philippines. 

Credits & References

 Seahorse picture from www.fishbase.org. 

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page