Steps in the research process

 Scenario

Your family has been going to the mountains every summer for as long as you can remember. Over the past few summers, you have noticed a change. Each year, you see more and more deer. They have eaten all of your aunt's favorite flowers. They are constantly causing traffic tie-ups on the main highway. Some are noticeably sick. Your aunt reports that she and her neighbors are concerned for their forest. The grasses and the shrubs are being destroyed. New plants are eaten as soon as they begin to grow. Her mountain community needs help.

The scenario described above is just one example of how changes in the population of one organism can affect many populations in a biome. Changes in populations occur for a variety of reasons, some are caused by natural phenomena such as fire or flood, others are the result of human activity.

As members of a global community, it is up to each and every one of us to do all that we can to protect and preserve our natural biomes. As we become more aware of the fact that no organism lives in isolation from other living things, we are more able to see that the health of a biome affects the health of the earth.

How does the interdependency of organisms in an environment
affect the balance of an ecosystem?

Click here to read an article about the role wolves play in their ecosystem. Remember to click the "Back" button on your browser to return to this module.

Task and Products

You have been selected to join a research team investigating the impact changes in populations have on ecosystems. You will conduct an I-Search investigation in order to learn more about a biome and the removal of a particular organism found in that biome.

Based on your knowledge of the biome and the organism you have chosen, you will need to make predictions as to the short and long term effects of this action. You are responsible for creating a multimedia presentation for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) that discusses the possible ecological impact of removing a specific organism from a biome.

Team/Group Product

Your research team is responsible for designing a graphic organizer (use large chart paper) that demonstrates how the components of the biome are interdependent. Your organizer must have the following components:

• Plants and animals found within the biome.
• A color-coded graphic representation showing type of interaction
  • producer / consumer
  • predator / prey
  • host / parasite
• Legend (key) explaining symbols

Individual Product

You are responsible for creating a multimedia presentation for the EPA that discusses the possible ecological impact of removing a specific organism from the biome shown on your group chart.

Your presentation must have a beginning, middle, and end, and include the following information:

• description of the biome (location, weather and climate).
• description of the organism that you selected to remove.
• prediction of what you think might happen to the organisms and habitat of the biome with the removal of the organism.
  • Which organisms would be immediately impacted?
  • How would they be affected?
  • What would be the immediate and long term impact on the habitat?

Assessments

Question

How does the interdependency of organisms in an environment
affect the balance of an ecosystem?

• Which organisms are found in your biome?
• How do these organisms interact?
• How does the climate and weather of the biome affect life in the biome?
• What animal habitats are found in your biome?

Gather and Sort

Gather information from variety of sources.

Use a graphic organizer, or note cards to organize your information. Develop a bibliography as you work.

Organize

Analyze your note cards and biome map to gain an understanding of the interdependency of organisms within a biome.

Evaluate your work thus far by using one of these tools to help you identify additional research needs:

• Note taking inventory form
• Working outline form

Synthesize your findings. Synthesis is the act of pulling your research and ideas together to form a new meaning.

• How does the type of relationship impact the population in an environment? 
• How does the interdependency of organisms in an environment affect the balance of an ecosystem?
• Create your multimedia presentation showing the impact of one organiasm on a biome.

Conclude

Reflect

Take time to think about the research process you just completed.

Follow these guidelines to help you to prepare your I-Search reflection.

This scoring tool may be used or modified by your teacher to evaluate your I-Search reflection.