Student Handout

Summative: Grade 9: Biology –
Sustainable Ecosystems

Student handout

1)    Use the Ontario Species at Risk/Invasive species database and select two species, one from each category. Ensure that both species belong to the same ecosystem (if possible).

2)       On the sign-up sheet, write your name and the two species chosen. Ensure that you are the only student researching that species.

3)       Start taking notes in your Science Journal, or on your laptop. You will be responsible for learning all there is to know about your species, including the following points:

         A description of your two species (one species at risk, one invasive species)

         The habitat, community and ecosystem where they live

         An account of their population (can be approximate)

         Data (graphs, tables) showing population increase/decrease

         The food chain/food web that the species are a part of

         How the removal/inclusion of your species affects the ecosystem

         Sources of information cited

4)       Consider doing research in the field. If possible, speak with local officials, take pictures, and gather your own data. The more personalized your project is, the better it will be. Ultimately, you are trying to determine the effects of the invasive species/threatened species. For more information, consult page 156 in your textbook.

5)       After completing your research, you must decide how best to present your project. You may use any of the following (or ask your teacher for permission to use another program): prezi, powerpoint, animoto, photostory, digital camera/video camera, poster board, glogster, photoshop, etc.

The final element that you must include in your project is to find out what you can do to help a species at risk, or eliminate an invasive species. You must write a plan of action, explaining the campaign that you would like to begin in our school to raise awareness for the issue.