Keystone Species

After the video respond to the following in your notebook:

• What is a keystone species?
• What is an Endemic species?
• Identify two things you think you learned
• Write one question you now have.

On your biome worksheets, select one specific region with each biomes and identify a keystone species and endemic species for each.  Justify your response.

Where in the Biome am I?

         

• You will be researching two Biomes on-line using the sheet provided.  
• Using Biomes of the World website begin to research and learn where your biome is located in the world. (See http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/ or http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/)
• Color or Shade the world map for your biome. Identify on your map the major bodies of water and countries that border the biome.
• Questions to Answer
• Climate
• Does the biome have seasons? Has the climate been changing during the last decades? What is unique about the climate of the biome?
• How much precipitation does the biome receive? Is it in the form of rain or snow?
• What is the temperature range of the biome?
• List three physical features of your biome, such as terrain and how it looks in general.
• Plants and Animals:  Identify at least  five plants and five animals to your biome.  This must include at least one KEYSTONE species. 
•  Has the biome experienced any of the changes you saw in the survey  (My Initial Thoughts) such as urban development, air pollution, or soil erosion?
• Based on what you have been able to learn, do you believe the biome is being conserved, preserved, or exploited?
  
  

The Anthropocene

• Define Anthropocene
• Identify two things you think you learned
• Write one question you now have.

Agricultural Revolution

Questions:

• Identify two advantages and two disadvantages of the agricultural revolution
• Write one additional thing you think you learned
• Write one question you now have

Discussion Wrap-Up  submit a ClEvR statement for the question:

Did the agricultural revolution benefit humanity?

History of Life on Earth

What was the primary cause in changes to animals over time?

Identify two things you think you learned

Write one question you now have.

• Identify three big ideas presented in the video. 

Other concepts to understand

• Hypothesis:  A prediction you can test.
• Scientific Theory:  An explanation supported by experiment. (Explains WHY something happens) 
• Scientific Law:  A 'Rule of Nature' (states what will happen.)