With Gigi Vasquez and Sebastian Orellana
Intro
In this unit we studied the ecology of ecosystems around the world. We were given the task of conducting in depth research on a specific biome and presenting it along with a solution to some problem humans are causing in the biome. My group and I chose to research the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Garbage Patch. Our presentation (below) shows our research as well as how we have acted to reduce the amount of garbage that makes its way out into the ocean. We held a beach cleanup along with student volunteers and made a website (also linked below) to spread awareness.
Content
Carrying Capacity: the amount of life an ecosystem can support given the natural resources it contains
Abiotic Factors: anything that is not living in an ecosystem (water, rocks, dirt)
Biotic Factors: anything that is living in an ecosystem (flora, fauna)
Biodiversity: the diversity of organisms in an environment (creates stability in an ecosystem)
Carbon Cycle: Plants take carbon dioxide from the air and use it to make food. Animals then eat the food and carbon is stored in their bodies or released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide through respiration.
Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria change nitrogen gas from the atmosphere to nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb. Plants are either eaten by animals or decomposed. Other bacteria change nitrogen compounds back to nitrogen gas, which returns to the atmosphere.
Water Cycle: Water evaporates from bodies of water through evaporation. Condensation occurs when the vapor cools enough to stop rising and create clouds. Precipitation then occurs as the vapor turns back into water droplets, returning the water to the earth. Rainfall finds its way back to the ocean either through rivers or other means of runoff.
Individual: a single organism
Population: a group of organisms of the same species in the same area
Community: a collection of populations of different species that regularly interact within an area
Ecosystem: the surroundings or conditions of a group of populations within the same area
Biome: a group of ecosystems that share the same climate and similar dominant communities
Biosphere: the regions of the Earth occupied by living organisms
Symbiosis: any relationship between two organisms
Mutualism: both organisms are affected positively from the relationship
Predation/Parasitism: one organism is affected positively and one organism is negatively affected
Competition: both organisms are negatively affected in some way
Commensalism: one organism is affected positively and one organism is not affected
Food Webs: connects organisms in an ecosystem through a number of food chains
Transfer of Energy: When an organism is consumed, only a portion of its original energy is transferred to the consumer. This is because organisms use most of the energy that they gain, so only about 10% is passed on.
Biomass: The rules of energy transfer in ecosystems explains why there are more producers that primary consumers, more primary consumers that secondary consumers, and so on.
Limiting Factors: factors that limits the growth of a population
Density Dependent: limiting factors that take into account the size of the population (available resources, spread of disease, etc)
Density Independent: universal limiting factors that don't take into account population size (human impacts, natural disasters, etc)
Disturbance of Homeostasis: Human impacts and other density independent factors can disrupt the homeostasis of an ecosystem. For example, deforestation is killing the trees in the Amazon Rainforest, but it is also destroying the habitats of virtually all of the animals that lived there.
Abiotic Factors: anything that is not living in an ecosystem (water, rocks, dirt)
Biotic Factors: anything that is living in an ecosystem (flora, fauna)
Biodiversity: the diversity of organisms in an environment (creates stability in an ecosystem)
Carbon Cycle: Plants take carbon dioxide from the air and use it to make food. Animals then eat the food and carbon is stored in their bodies or released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide through respiration.
Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria change nitrogen gas from the atmosphere to nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb. Plants are either eaten by animals or decomposed. Other bacteria change nitrogen compounds back to nitrogen gas, which returns to the atmosphere.
Water Cycle: Water evaporates from bodies of water through evaporation. Condensation occurs when the vapor cools enough to stop rising and create clouds. Precipitation then occurs as the vapor turns back into water droplets, returning the water to the earth. Rainfall finds its way back to the ocean either through rivers or other means of runoff.
Individual: a single organism
Population: a group of organisms of the same species in the same area
Community: a collection of populations of different species that regularly interact within an area
Ecosystem: the surroundings or conditions of a group of populations within the same area
Biome: a group of ecosystems that share the same climate and similar dominant communities
Biosphere: the regions of the Earth occupied by living organisms
Symbiosis: any relationship between two organisms
Mutualism: both organisms are affected positively from the relationship
Predation/Parasitism: one organism is affected positively and one organism is negatively affected
Competition: both organisms are negatively affected in some way
Commensalism: one organism is affected positively and one organism is not affected
Food Webs: connects organisms in an ecosystem through a number of food chains
Transfer of Energy: When an organism is consumed, only a portion of its original energy is transferred to the consumer. This is because organisms use most of the energy that they gain, so only about 10% is passed on.
Biomass: The rules of energy transfer in ecosystems explains why there are more producers that primary consumers, more primary consumers that secondary consumers, and so on.
Limiting Factors: factors that limits the growth of a population
Density Dependent: limiting factors that take into account the size of the population (available resources, spread of disease, etc)
Density Independent: universal limiting factors that don't take into account population size (human impacts, natural disasters, etc)
Disturbance of Homeostasis: Human impacts and other density independent factors can disrupt the homeostasis of an ecosystem. For example, deforestation is killing the trees in the Amazon Rainforest, but it is also destroying the habitats of virtually all of the animals that lived there.
Reflection
I enjoyed this project a lot. I learned a lot about the interactions between living things and I was able to make actual change.
Despite my interest in the subject and excitement for this project I did not do well at all. For one, my work ethic was not acceptable. I got distracted often was never fully mentally present. Also, I did not take the lead during this project like I normally do. I was not able to work well with my group mates and did not collaborate with them as well as I expected.
One of my highlights of this project was my willingness to let others express their ideas. In this respect, I was a positive teammate. I always listened to my partners' ideas and took them into account in my work. I also was good at contributing ideas to the team. While I did not do enough while following through on these ideas, my creativity helped the group tremendously.
Despite my interest in the subject and excitement for this project I did not do well at all. For one, my work ethic was not acceptable. I got distracted often was never fully mentally present. Also, I did not take the lead during this project like I normally do. I was not able to work well with my group mates and did not collaborate with them as well as I expected.
One of my highlights of this project was my willingness to let others express their ideas. In this respect, I was a positive teammate. I always listened to my partners' ideas and took them into account in my work. I also was good at contributing ideas to the team. While I did not do enough while following through on these ideas, my creativity helped the group tremendously.
Links to teammates' websites: