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Science Term 1 2009

Science Term 1 2009. Miss Simpson. This term we are going to be looking at 2 main topics…. “Eco warriors” “Under the sea” The strands you will be tested on are : investigating life and living earth and beyond.

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Science Term 1 2009

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  1. Science Term 1 2009 Miss Simpson

  2. This term we are going to be looking at 2 main topics… “Eco warriors” “Under the sea” The strands you will be tested on are : investigating life and living earth and beyond

  3. We will also go to Scitech once a week to conduct experiments and see the new displays they have there. We will try to organise an excursion where we go to Mettam’s Pool (coral reef) or perhaps even AQUA

  4. But the bad news… You will have homework!!! There will always be things that you need to finish off from class You also have a Science homework book that we will use throughout the term. If you need some help with your homework or access to a computer after school, I will organise a ‘homework club’ for you.

  5. So lets get into it…

  6. ___ __ _______ What is ecology? The scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms Distribution = where an organism is found Abundance = how common an organism is

  7. Questions for Ecologists: Why are organisms found where they are? Why do some places have more organisms than others? Why do the numbers of individuals change over time?

  8. Before we go any further, lets have a look at the way things are structured here on Earth…

  9. Levels of Biological Organisation: Biosphere Biosphere Ecosystems Communities Populations Organisms biosphere ecosystems communities populations organisms organ systems organs tissues cells organelles molecules

  10. What is the role of Ecology in society? To provide impartial information gathered from scientific study that can be used to guide public policy (laws etc) It is NOT to make moral judgments on issues and policies

  11. An Example:Otters, oil, and killer whales • In 1989: the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska The largest oil spill ever in the US Plants and animals devastated

  12. One role of ecologists was to document the short term impact on the organisms NOT decide whether or how much Exxon should pay

  13. What about the sea otters? Its been almost 20 years since the spill and they still haven’t recovered Should Exxon pay more -- are they at fault?

  14. Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) A small (≈ 25kg) marine mammal Relies on fur, not fat, for insulation Oil mats fur and reduces insulation

  15. Historically hunted for fur (nearly driven to extinction in 1800’s) • They recovered in parts of US, but still protected by law

  16. Ecologists job • So is Exxon responsible ? • Ecologists have been studying the sea otters and this is what they found: — Sea otter populations throughout Alaska began crashing in 1980’s — Most of these populations were not impacted by the oil spill Indicates that the current problem with otters is not due to the oil spill…

  17. But what then? • We need to look at the eating habits of the killer whales… • Scientists observed killer whales eating otters (which they don’t usually do) • A single killer whale could eat 2000 otters a year But why are they only eating otters now?

  18. What’s going on? • The killer whales used to eat sea lions & seals • But now these prey items have become rare • Why?

  19. Overfishing Pollock and Salmon – the 2 foods that sea lions & seals love to eat. If there is not enough food for sea lions & seals they will starve If there are not enough sea lions & seals, the Killer whales will starve As a result: Killer whales started eating sea otters

  20. Food web: before overfishing Killer whale Humans Sea lion & Seal Sea Otter Urchins Pollock & Salmon Kelp

  21. Sea otter eating an urchin Urchins Sea lion eating a salmon

  22. A killer whale eating a Sea lion

  23. Food web: after overfishing Humans Killer whale Sea lion & Seal Sea otter Pollock Urchins & Salmon Kelp

  24. Now it’s time for you to do some work…

  25. ACTIVITIES 1. Complete the wordsearch. 2. Using the word ECOLOGY, write down as many things as you can that relate to this topic – you can use single words or write down sentences about what you already know. 3. Research the definitions for the words you found in your wordsearch.

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