Environmental Science
Rainforest Analysis
Name:___________________________
Period: _____
For the Rainforest biome complete the following:
a.) Design a food web with 4 trophic levels (2 animals in each level)
b.) Identify and explain one keystone species and the effect that it’s removal might
have on its ecosystem
c.) Identify and explain two important abiotic factors and how the organisms of the
biome have adapted to these factors
d.) Identify one r-selected and one k-selected organism and explain the reproduction
pattern
e.) Identify one organism with a Type I survivorship curve, one organism with a
Type II survivorship curve, and one animal with a Type III survivorship curve
f.) One example of a mutualistic relationship, one example of a commensalistic
relationship, and one example of a parasitic relationship and explain each
Bonus: Identify one example of resource partitioning
Comments:
4
Trophic Levels
Keystone
Species
Abiotic Factors
Survivorship
Curves and
Reproductive
Patterns
Species
Interaction
3
2
1
Food web contains 6-8
animals across 3-4
trophic levels. Most
organisms are specific to
the biome. Most
organisms are
appropriately assigned
to trophic levels
Definition of keystone
Definition of keystone
species is clearly present species is present and
and complete. Example of mostly complete.
keystone species is
Example of keystone
relevant to biome.
species is relevant to
Analysis of the keystone
biome. Analysis of the
species’ effect is thorough keystone species’ effect
and explains the species
is adequate and explains
effect on the entire
the species effect on
foodweb
most of the foodweb
Food web contains 3-4
animals across 2-3
trophic levels. Some
organisms are specific to
the biome. Some
organisms are
appropriately assigned
to trophic levels
Definition of keystone
species is present but
largely incomplete.
Example of keystone
species is relevant to
biome. Analysis of the
keystone species’ effect
is unsatisfactory and
does not explain the
species effect on most of
the foodweb
Student exceptionally
explains how organisms
have adapted to two
abiotic factors. Each
factor is clearly stated and
relevant to the biome.
Each adaptation is
thoroughly explained.
Definition of each curve
and reproductive pattern
is thorough and
complete. Example is
provided for each curve
and pattern and is
thorough.
Student explains how
organisms have adapted
to one or two abiotic
factors. Each factor is
relevant to the biome.
Explanation is
unsatisfactory.
Food web contains 0-2
animals across 2-3
trophic levels. Few
organisms are specific
to the biome. Few
organisms are
appropriately assigned
to trophic levels
Definition of keystone
species is not present
or completely
inaccurate. Example of
keystone species is
notrelevant to biome.
Analysis of the
keystone species’ effect
is unsatisfactory and
does not explain the
species effect on most
of the foodweb
Student explains how
organisms have adapted
to zero or one abiotic
factor. Factor is
irrelevant to the biome.
Explanation is
unsatisfactory.
Food web contains 8
animals across four
trophic levels. Organisms
are specific to the biome.
Organisms are
appropriately assigned
to trophic levels
Example for all three
relationships is relevant
to the biome. Analysis of
interaction is thorough
and complete in a way
that reflects mastery of
each relationship
Student explains how
organisms have adapted
to two abiotic factors.
Each factor is clearly
stated and relevant to the
biome.
Each adaptation is
adequately explained.
Student adequately
presents material in
brochure with some to
few grammar mistakes.
Writing is mostly legible.
One or two pictures with
captions somewhat
enhance.
Example for all three
relationships is relevant
to biome. Analysis of
interaction is adequate
and mostly reflects
mastery of each
relationship.
Student poorly presents
material in brochure
with several grammar
mistakes. Writing is
largely illegible. One or
two pictures with
caption do not enhance
presentation.
Example for all three
relationships is relevant
to biome. Analysis of
interaction is lacking and
mastery of each
relationship is
questionable.
0
Brochure is illegible
and contains numerous
grammar mistakes. No
pictures with captions
are included.
Example for all three
relationships is
irrelevant to biome.
Analysis of interaction
is lacking and mastery
of each relationship is
not evident.