Project Example
SAMPLE ECOSYSTEM: THE VALLEY*
PRODUCER: Norse Sea Lily
i. range: many reservoirs such as Lake Perris
ii. pop size: large
iii. reproduction: flowering plant pollinated by mead bees; flowers
in early summer
iv. nutrition:
a. autotroph
b. eaten by Go Fish (roots), Vikings (leaves), Mead Bees
(nectar), Lily Weevil (immature fruit)
v. producer
vi. sensitivity: the more minerals in the water the better, needs
full sunlight
vii. humans use: artificial poi & glue (roots), fibers for fabric
(stems), snack food (seeds), decoration (flowers), roofing
material (leaves)
1 CONSUMER: Mead Bee
i. range: many reservoirs such as Lake Perris
ii. pop size: small
iii. reproduction: a single queen lays many eggs which are tended
by her daughters
iv. nutrition:
a. eats nectar and pollen of the Norse Sea Lily
b. eaten by some birds
v. primary consumer
vi. sensitivity: low sensitivity, but only one food source
vi. humans use: often considered a pest
1 CONSUMER: Go Fish
i. range: many reservoirs such as Lake Perris
ii. pop size: moderate
iii. reproduction: following a mating ritual in clear water the
females lay eggs & the males fertilize the eggs externally,
males guard nest until eggs hatch, babies receive no care nor
assistance
iv. nutrition:
a. Norse Sea Lily & other plant roots
b. are eaten by MoVal Vikings who like them better than Lilies
but not as much as mead.
v. primary consumer
vi. sensitivity: eggs are sensitive to chemical pollutants, adults
are pretty tough
vii. human use: sport and food fish
1 CONSUMER/2 CONSUMER: MoVal Viking**
i. range: southern California
ii. pop size: many 1000s
iii. reproduction: life-long pair bonds, internal fertilization, low
birth rate, extensive care of young
iv. nutrition:
a. Go Fish, mead, lilies, eagles, cougars & broccoli
b. top level predator
v. secondary consumer
vi. sensitivity: low chemical sensitivity, sudden temperature
change can harm them
vii. humans use: extremely attractive exotic pets
1 CONSUMER/DECOMPOSER:
Yeast Beast
i. range: very limited, only in Mead Bee hives
ii. pop size: moderate in hives, zero elsewhere
iii. reproduction: high fecundity: usually asexual budding
iv. nutrition:
a. eats nectar and pollen brought to hive by bee excretes mead
b. Vikings drink mead. Vikings really like that mead
v. decomposer
vi. sensitivity: low sensitivity to chemicals
vii. humans use: no known use
DECOMPOSER: Ship Worm
i. range: many reservoirs such as Lake Perris
ii. pop size: large
iii. reproduction: hermaphroditic, lay many eggs, external
fertilization, no care of young
iv. nutrition:
a. eats dead organic matter
b. eats anything & everything, once it's died
v. decomposer
vi. sensitivity: low sensitivity to chemicals, light, temp or
salinity change
vii. humans use: no known use, humans think they are ugly
SAMPLE EIR
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE:
A gravid (pregnant) Lily Weevil is inadvertently introduced into the valley. The Lily Weevil eats immature
Norse Sea Lily fruit. Worse yet are its reproductive habits. It parasitizes hymenopterans by stinging them
into paralysis and laying a single egg in the abdomen of each insect. The Weevil larva then feeds upon its
host from the inside out! Needless to say, this is an experience which a Mead Bee does not survive.
IMPACT ON SPECIES:
Extinct : At this time it is not possible to tell whether any of these organisms would actually go extinct.
However endangerment, by definition, means that a species might go extinct in the near future.
Endangered:
Mead Bee: Bees are being massacred by the Lily Weevil, a newly introduced species.
Yeast Beast: Yeast Beasts are totally dependent on Mead Bees. If the Mead Bee dies out, so will the
Yeast Beast.
Norse Sea Lily: Not only do Weevils eat their fruit before their seeds have formed, they also parasitize
the Lily's only pollinator. The Lily may not be able to reproduce in the presence of the Weevil. Finally,
human predation may also contribute to their demise.
Threatened:
MoVal Viking: The Vikings could loose three important food sources: Lilies, Go Fish, and mead.
Fortunately, Vikings have other food sources available to them.
Go Fish: Go Fish would loose a major food source. Also Vikings may predate more heavily upon the fish
since the Vikings no longer have Lilies and mead.
No Change :
Ship Worm: One way or the other, there will be plenty of dead for the Ship Worm to eat.
Increased:
Lily Weevil: Since the valley is full of food (Lilies) and reproductive opportunities (Bees), Weevils may
increase in population. Contributing to their increase is the lack of natural predators such as Leaping
Lizards which eat them.
MITIGATION :
Prevent entry of the Lily Weevil:
Prevent, or at least delay entry, of this dreaded pest. Recommended practices include:
Do not import, or import only after quarantine, agricultural products, such as aquarium and pond plants,
which may be infested with the Lily Weevil. While this idea is sound, it may be difficult to carry out.
Backyard pond enthusiasts may not understand the need for not smuggling various exotic plants which
they would like to grow at home.
Population control for the Lily Weevil:
If entry cannot be prevented, methods of limiting Weevil population must be explored. For example:
Pesticides: Some pesticides kill Lily Weevil effectively; but others are no longer effective since the Lily
Weevil has evolved resistance to them. Also, the same pesticides that kill Weevils, kills Mead Bees. This
solution has only limited viability.
Introduction of Weevil predator: A population of Leaping Lizards could be introduced to the valley.
Lizards would keep the Weevil population low. They would not completely eradicate the Weevil. Prior to
their introduction, extensive research is recommended as it is not known what other organisms would
be effected by the Lizards. For example: would Leaping Lizards eat Mead Bees; out compete the local
Friendly Frog for insect food; or in some other way become a pest?