Your team will:
- Research the biology of anadromous fish such as the shortnose sturgeon.
- Research the geographic distribution of the shortnose 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 shortnose 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 shortnose sturgeons found?
Create a map showing the geographic distribution of the shortnose sturgeon using the OBIS Portal. At the portal, select the "Search Data" tab an then "Click search and browse taxa". Enter the scientific name of the shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum ."Click to search and browse datasets." When the database search is complete, select "Update map".Once the map appears, you may change its orientation by using the menu above the map. If you would like to save a map click on "Show results" then click "Download" then click "WMS", Show background", and "Save as Image".
To find the names of the location where this species has 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 shortnose 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 investigate more about dams and their effects on anadromous fish use the NOAA and American Rivers websites. 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 shortnose sturgeon survival and sustainability of their 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 research? Your presentation should include all the elements of your team's plan. Use visual aids such as maps, pictures, charts, tables, and/or an outline of key points. The presentation may be done using a computer-based presentation program or overhead transparencies. Each person should be responsible for presenting at least one part of the plan.
