Description:
In this unit, we studied ecosystems and the cycles and interactions surrounding these systems. This was done through a project of selecting a organism or environment. Then, problems with the environment were noted and potential solutions were purposed. Our specific organism that we selected was the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
Concepts:
Organization of Ecology: The different levels ecologists study in ascending order: individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere. We used this to analyze the environment surrounding our species.
Succession: The manner in which an ecosystem rebuilds. Primary succession occurs in places where soil does not exist. Secondary succession occurs in places where soil does exist. We did not use succession this project.
Abiotic Factors: Nonliving factors of an environment such as the weather. We used abiotic factors to reference the environment surrounding the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
Biotic Factors: Living influences within an environment such as animals or decaying plants. We used biotic factor to reflect on the species effecting our species in the surrounding environment.
Energy Flow: How energy flows through the ecosystem, always upwards to the next level until decomposed. We used this to help analyze the ecosystem surrounding the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
Nutrient Cycles: Cycles of matter that flow through ecosystems, especially noted are those of nitrogen and carbon. The cycles consist primarily of sinks that absorb the nutrient and sources that produce it or remove it from sinks. We did not use this concept for this project.
Autotroph: An animal that is able to produce its own food. We used this to help analyze the environment surrounding our species.
Heterotroph: An animal that cannot create its own food and must consume others to gain energy. We used this to help analyze the environment surrounding our species.
Climate: The average atmospheric of a certain place over time. This concept was not applied this project.
Weather: The weather conditions of a certain place at a certain place. We did not use weather for this project.
Symbiosis: How organisms interact with each other when living in close proximity. This can benefit both(mutualism), one can benefit(commensalism), one can benefit to the detriment of the other(parasitism), and both can be negatively effected(competition).
Niche: The specific role an organism fills in an environment. We used this concept to look closer at the role of the blue fin tuna.
Density Independent Factors: Factors that will effect a population regardless of the population density. We used this concept to emphasize the effect of humans on the blue fin tuna.
Density Dependent Factors: Factors that will effect a population if it reaches a certain threshold. We did not use this concept in this project.
Cellular respiration: How an organism breaks down sugar for ATP. The equation would be one glucose plus six oxygen to equal six water plus six carbon dioxide plus 38 ATP.
Photosynthesis: How heterotrophs make sugars for themselves
Project:
Below is a presentation of our perceptions of the Blue fin tuna, the issues within its environment, and how those problems could potentially be solved.
In this unit, we studied ecosystems and the cycles and interactions surrounding these systems. This was done through a project of selecting a organism or environment. Then, problems with the environment were noted and potential solutions were purposed. Our specific organism that we selected was the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
Concepts:
Organization of Ecology: The different levels ecologists study in ascending order: individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere. We used this to analyze the environment surrounding our species.
Succession: The manner in which an ecosystem rebuilds. Primary succession occurs in places where soil does not exist. Secondary succession occurs in places where soil does exist. We did not use succession this project.
Abiotic Factors: Nonliving factors of an environment such as the weather. We used abiotic factors to reference the environment surrounding the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
Biotic Factors: Living influences within an environment such as animals or decaying plants. We used biotic factor to reflect on the species effecting our species in the surrounding environment.
Energy Flow: How energy flows through the ecosystem, always upwards to the next level until decomposed. We used this to help analyze the ecosystem surrounding the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
Nutrient Cycles: Cycles of matter that flow through ecosystems, especially noted are those of nitrogen and carbon. The cycles consist primarily of sinks that absorb the nutrient and sources that produce it or remove it from sinks. We did not use this concept for this project.
Autotroph: An animal that is able to produce its own food. We used this to help analyze the environment surrounding our species.
Heterotroph: An animal that cannot create its own food and must consume others to gain energy. We used this to help analyze the environment surrounding our species.
Climate: The average atmospheric of a certain place over time. This concept was not applied this project.
Weather: The weather conditions of a certain place at a certain place. We did not use weather for this project.
Symbiosis: How organisms interact with each other when living in close proximity. This can benefit both(mutualism), one can benefit(commensalism), one can benefit to the detriment of the other(parasitism), and both can be negatively effected(competition).
Niche: The specific role an organism fills in an environment. We used this concept to look closer at the role of the blue fin tuna.
Density Independent Factors: Factors that will effect a population regardless of the population density. We used this concept to emphasize the effect of humans on the blue fin tuna.
Density Dependent Factors: Factors that will effect a population if it reaches a certain threshold. We did not use this concept in this project.
Cellular respiration: How an organism breaks down sugar for ATP. The equation would be one glucose plus six oxygen to equal six water plus six carbon dioxide plus 38 ATP.
Photosynthesis: How heterotrophs make sugars for themselves
Project:
Below is a presentation of our perceptions of the Blue fin tuna, the issues within its environment, and how those problems could potentially be solved.
Reflection:
This project went very well overall. First, the overall work effort between these members and myself was quite good. We were able to set goals every day and complete them fairly easily. Additionally, I was able to learn on this project how to research effects on specific sources that effected the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
There were also certain issues in my performance. First, when I was helping in the division of work, we accidentally would create an imbalance in the workload. I will seek to improve this by seeing the balance of work between people. Additionally, my empathy for this project was not the best. I will seek to improve this by considering other factors than logic and efficiency in my thought processes.
This project went very well overall. First, the overall work effort between these members and myself was quite good. We were able to set goals every day and complete them fairly easily. Additionally, I was able to learn on this project how to research effects on specific sources that effected the Atlantic blue fin tuna.
There were also certain issues in my performance. First, when I was helping in the division of work, we accidentally would create an imbalance in the workload. I will seek to improve this by seeing the balance of work between people. Additionally, my empathy for this project was not the best. I will seek to improve this by considering other factors than logic and efficiency in my thought processes.