Oct 12 and 13

October 12 (A day) and October 13 (B Day)

Objective:

The student will review nutrient cycles in order to describe the movement of water, carbon and nitrogen between living organisms and the environment.

Warm Up:
Use the information below to answer questions 1 and 2 that follow.
A scientist wanted to find out if low numbers of fish found in a nearby lake were related to acid rain. During his three-year study, he analyzed the rainwater, collected regular fish samples and data regarding the lake water samples. By gathering samples of fish, he estimated the number of fish in the lake. Each year he found that both the rainwater and lake water became more acidic, and the number of fish decreased. He believes that his data suggests that acid rain may be responsible for the decrease in the number of fish found in the lake. The lake ecosystem also includes frogs, freshwater algae, and inorganic sediment.

1. What most likely led to the rainwater’s increasing acidity?
F. ultraviolet radiation
G. sedimentation
H. burning fossil fuels
J. denitrification

2. What is the dependent variable measured by the scientist?
A. number of fish
B. amount of dissolved nitrogen
C. acidity of the lake
D. temperature changes in the lake

3. Although three different bird species all inhabit the same type of tree in an area, competition between the birds rarely occurs. The most likely explanation for this lack of competition is that these birds
A. are unable to interbreed
B. have a limited supply of food
C. share food with each other
D. have different ecological niches

Use the information below to answer questions 4 and 5 that follow.
Black skimmers are water birds that live along coastal beaches, bays, estuaries, and marshes. They fly just above the surface of the water using their lower jaw to catch small fish, shrimp, and other small crustaceans. These birds nest in simple, unlined depressions in the sand. Scientists have observed a decline in the number of nests. Some causes of this decline include a lack of suitable nesting sites, beach erosion, and human disturbances. When people approach their nests, the birds become aggressive and chase away intruders. Other animals, like crows, will take advantage of the unprotected nests and feed on the eggs.

4. A continued decrease in black skimmer populations will most likely lead to
F. a decrease in predator populations like the crow
G. an increase in producer populations
H. a decrease in the shrimp population
J. no change in any populations

5. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the black skimmer and small fish?
A. competition
B. parasite-host
C. predator-prey
D. mutualism


Vocabulary
1. Omnivore
2. Detritivore
3. Decomposer
4. Ecological Pyramid
5. Biomass

Classwork:
1. Warm Up and Vocabulary
2. Go over both
3. Work on remainder of worksheet (15 min)
4. Prymids
5. Cycles

Tonight's Homework:
Hand Out

Homework Due:
None!