Purpose
Students will gather information about a species and its problems, presenting it to instructor in the form of an educational brochure.
Learning Objective(s) Addressed by This Activity
- Describe the ways humans cause biodiversity losses.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act and CITES in protecting endangered species.
- Understand how gap analysis, ecosystem management, and captive breeding can contribute to preserving biological resources.
- Propose ways we could protect endangered habitats and communities through large-scale, long-range, comprehensive planning.
- Organize and synthesize information for sharing with others.
Description
The poster should include colorful pictures, graphs along with text.
Brochure Guidelines
Brochure: The poster needs to include information about the species and its problems including:
1. Summary of the Problem
What is the nature of the problem associated with your species? Is it facing extinction? Is its habitat being destroyed? What is the issue of concern?
2. Ecological Description of the Organism
This part should include information about its habitat preferences, its ecological niche, its life history, ecological relationships with other species, and other such material that familiarizes the viewer with its basic biological and ecological nature.
3. History of the Problem
At what point did the problem begin? What causes triggered the onset of the problem? Has the situation become progressively worse or better? Why? What has led to the current situation?
4. Preferred Solutions
What solutions to the problem have been proposed? What solutions would you propose? What changes in the environment, in laws, etc., would have to take place to alleviate the problem? Have any solutions been put in motion? Are they working? What are the prospects for future success?
5. A Graph
Include a graph of some aspect of the species and its problems. You may have to create your own graph from the data you obtain.
6. Reference Citations
Include a complete citation of each reference you use in creating your brochure; you must have at least 2 references in APA format.
Assessment
Evaluation Criteria and Guidelines:
Poster:
I. Introduction: Statement of the problem associated with species pick.
II. Ecological Description of the organism and history of the problem (use references).
III. Clear, concise statements of your position on the issue.
IV. Discussion of preferred solutions.
V. Questions that have arisen as you researched the issues and information you need to understand the issue better.
VI. Concise summary statement restating the issue, your position, and the essential evidence that supports your position.
VII. Literature cited (APA)
Appropriate number (minimum of 2)
Appropriate type (not only opinions)
Proper format (title page, an introduction, body, conclusion and reference page)**title page & references are not included with total page requirements.
VIII. Overall important communication factors
Pictures and Graphs
Spelling and grammar
Neatness
Clarity and consistency of focus
You can pick of these and comment which one you chose to do.
Suggested Species Problems
Minnesota related species
(you can pick ur own local list)
Deformed frogs
Purple Loosestrife
Zebra Mussels
Native Freshwater Mussels
White Pine
Eurasian Milfoil
Loggerhead shrike
Gray Wolf (Timber Wolf)
Prairie Chicken
Sharptail Grouse
Cheatgrass
Bison
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Whooping Crane
Piping Plover
Bald Eagle
Gypsy Moth
Wild Turkey
White-tail Deer
Moose
Woodland Caribou
American Chestnut
Hawaiian Species
Hawaiian nene geese
California Species
California Condor
Indonesian (Sumatra) Species
Orangutan
Elephant
Gibbons
Langur
Clouded Leopard
Marine Species
Harp Seal (the real story)
Beluga Whale in the St.
Lawrence Seaway
Florida Manatee
Right Whale
Gray Whale
Stellar Sea Lion
Green Turtle
Chinook Salmon
Sea Turtle Species
African Species (Kenya, Tanzania)
Nile Perch
Gorilla
Nile Crocodile
Hiola antelope
African Elephant
Cheetah
Bonobo (Pygmy chimp)
Elephant