Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Introduction
You are part of a team of specialists whose mission is
to determine if habitat management strategies are working.
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
Anadromous fish are adapted to life in both saltwater and
freshwater habitats. Acipenser spp., commonly known
as sturgeons, were once common fish in East Coast United
States estuaries and coastal rivers. Many are considered
to be threatened or endangered. For example, the short-nosed
sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, is listed on the
1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Have habitat
protection projects improved the outlook for this species?
Your task is to:
- find out what caused the decline of
anadromous fish such as the short-nosed sturgeon
- investigate methods for reversing the population trend
- present a proposal that will increase and sustain sturgeon
populations so that they o not become 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:
- research the biology of anadromous fish such as the
short-nosed sturgeon
- research the geographic distribution of the short-nosed
sturgeon
- research the ecosystem importance of anadromous fish
- research sustainable habitat mitigation projects such
as dam removal
- develop a plan to study the effect of a habitat mitigation
project on short-nosed sturgeons
- 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 Anadromous
Fish
The Question: Why are anadromous fish so sensitive
to habitat changes?
Explore the biology of anadromous fish at NOAA.
Task 2. Geographic Distribution of Acipenser
brevirostrum
The Question: Where are short-nosed sturgeons
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 short-nosed sturgeon. 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 the population
of the short-nosed sturgeon? Look for clues at NOAA.
Task 3. Why Care
The Question: Why should humans care about
preserving sturgeons?
To learn more about the importance of anadromous fish,
go to NOAA..
Task 4. Sustainable Habitat Management
The Question: What are some possible sustainable
habitat management strategies?
Learn more about plans to preserve habitat at NOAA.
To find out more about dams and their effects on anadromous
fish use the NOAA
site and American
Rivers site.
Learn more about the Edwards
Dam removal project.
Task 5. The Plan
Since you are a team of research scientists, your plan
will need the following parts:
- Research question- State the question that your
research project will answer.
- 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 sturgeon biology,
geographic distribution, ecological importance of sturgeons,
and sustainable habitat management methods.
- Hypothesis- A statement that describes the expected
outcome of your project
- Materials- What you will need to conduct
your research or implement your project and why these
are essential
- Procedure- List the steps you would take to conduct
your research
- Why your team thinks the plan will work- Link
this to short-nosed sturgeon survival and sustainability
of the short-nosed sturgeon 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.
| |
Beginning
1-10 |
Developing
11-20 |
Accomplished
21-30 |
Exemplary
31-40 |
Score |
Research Notes
(Maximum 40 points) |
Notes are cut and paste
copies from websites. |
Notes have some organization.
Notes reflect original writing. Notes may or may not
have source citations. |
Notes are organized.
Notes reflect original writing. Partial understanding
is apparent. Notes have source citations. |
Notes are organized as
questions and answers. Understanding is apparent.
Notes reflect original writing. Notes have source
citations. |
|
| |
Beginning
1-8 |
Developing
9-16 |
Accomplished
17-24 |
Exemplary
24-32 |
Score |
| The Plan
(Maximum 32 points) |
Plan is partially complete
or has a weak background section and/ or weak plan.
Poor use of factual information. |
Plan has all elements.
Explanation of why the plan will work is weak. Cause
and effect may not be clear. |
Plan has all the elements.
Elements have a logical flow. Some elements could
be stronger. Citations may be incomplete. |
Plan has all the elements.
Elements have a logical flow. Citations are included
and correct. Cause and effect is clear. |
|
| |
Beginning
1-7 |
Developing
8-14 |
Accomplished
15-21 |
Exemplary
22-28 |
Score |
| The Presentation
(Maximum 28 points) |
Presentation notes are
read. Graphics weakly support the speech. |
Presentation is complete,
but has some weaknesses. Graphics may support the
speaker, but may have some errors or lack of relevance. |
Presentation is complete.
Speakers demonstrate knowledge of the problem and
can clearly state the cause and effect relationship.
Graphics support the speaker. |
Speakers demonstrate
knowledge of the problem and an understanding of the
cause and effect to be studied. Graphics support the
speaker. The speaker sells the plan using good speech
techniques such as eye contact, vocal projection,
and enunciation. |
|
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 preserving
the short-nosed sturgeon? 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 short-nosed sturgeon? What actions could
your class take to save the short-nosed sturgeon?
Although the effect of dams on ecosystems has been
studied in the United States and alternatives to dams are
recommended, a new dam project in China caused some concern
among environmentalists. Find
out why.
Credits
& References
Short-nosed sturgeon from www.fishbase.org
Based on a template from
The
WebQuest Page