8Th Grade Standard 2 - Objective 2D

Name: ______Period: ______

How Different Scientists Research the Same Ecosystem

1.  What is an ecosystem?

2.  What are the different parts of an ecosystem?

3.  Fill out the chart below using the readings.

4.  Why is important to have so many different scientist studying an ecosystem?

5.  How do these scientists help each other?

6.  If you could be any scientists what type of scientist would you be and why?

Ecosystem Study Readings

Possible Specialties:

Geologist (also includes Seismology, mineralogy, volcanology, topography): Your job will be to research the land formations and create a large map of the area; you will also mark on the map the types of rocks, minerals are found in the area; any volcanic activity, or earthquake activity on the map.

Zoologists: Your jobs will be to study the animal life in the area. What kinds of animals live there? How do they interact with each other? Are there any animals that are missing that should be there?

Ornithologist: Find out what birds live or visit this area. Give a brief description of each bird. What does each bird look like? Where does each bird nest? What does each bird eat? What are the predators of each bird? How does the climate/environment affect each bird? Include any other interesting information on each bird. )

Entomologist: Find out what insects can you find in this area. Give a brief description of each insect. (How can you identify each insect? Where does the insect live? What does each insect eat? What are the predators for each insect? How does the climate/environment affect each insect?)

Mammalogist: Find out what mammals live in this area. Give a brief description of each mammal. (How can you identify each mammal? Where does each mammal live? What does each mammal eat? What are the predators of each mammal? How does the climate/environment affect each mammal? Include any other interesting facts.)

Herpetologist: Find our about the reptiles and amphibians you can find in this area. Give a brief description of each reptile and amphibian. (How can you identify each reptile or amphibian? What does each reptile or amphibian eat? What predators does each reptile or amphibian have? How does the climate/environment affect each reptile or amphibian? Include any other interesting facts.)

Ichthyologist: Find our about the fish you can find in this area. Give a brief description of each fish. (How can you identify each fish? What does each fish eat? What predators does each fish have? How does the climate/environment affect each fish? Include any other interesting facts.)

Botanist: Find out what plants can survive in this area. Give a brief description of each plant. (How can you identify each plant? Where are the best places to find each plant? What types of environment does each plant grow best? How does the climate/environment affect each plant? What predators does each plant have? Include any other interesting facts.)

Meteorlogist: Find out what the climate is like in this area. (Seasons, temperatures, humidity, How does the climate effect what organism can live in this area?)

Chemist: Find out what chemicals are common in the ecosystem. This includes nutrients, pollutants, and essential elements. Are there pollutants? Where are they coming from? How do chemicals help or hurt organisms living in an area?

Biochemist: Find out what chemicals are necessary for living organisms. Find out how these cycle through organisms and their environments. Examples of these elements are: Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, and others. Are these cycles functioning how they should? Are there enough essential elements available for all living organisms?

Biologist: Find out what forms of life are in the area. This is the very broadest scientist we are discussing. What organisms are present, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi? How are all of these organisms working together?

Anthrozoologist: Find out about the human-animal interaction of an ecosystem. How do humans influence or affect the ecosystem? How do animals influence or affect humans? How do animals affect human culture?

Mineralogist: Find out what minerals are in the ecosystem and where they come from. What minerals are available? How are they used by organisms in the ecosystem? How are they distributed in the area?

Seismologist: Find out about how earthquakes and seismic waves may affect the ecosystem. Are there causes of seismic activity in the ecosystem? How often is there seismic activity? Can seismic activity result in tsunamis, earthquakes, or volcanic activity?

Volcanologist: Find out about volcanic activity in the area. This includes lava, magma, gases, and ash. Volcanologists find out about past volcanoes and how they affected areas. How will a volcanic explosion affect an ecosystem? How will a volcanic explosion in another area affect the ecosystem?

Ecologist: Find out about the relationships that exist between organisms. What exist among species in the environment? How are organisms distributed? How many organisms are there? How are nutrients and energy moving through the ecosystem? How has the ecosystem developed?

Hydrologist: Find out about the movement, distribution, and quality of water. Where is water coming from? Is the water clean? How does water move through the ecosystem? Is the water sustainable?

Notes:

Taxonomist: Classifies and organizes organisms of all kinds. These scientists group, organize, and name species. What species are present? How are they similar to other species? Are the species changing over time? How are these species different from other members of the same species in another area?