Ecology: End of Unit Project
Part A- Endangered Species: The focus of the last topics in Ecology have emphasized the importance and
value of biodiversity in ecosystems and the consequences of reducing biodiversity (example: through invasive species).
There are currently many species of organisms which are endangered/threatened and ultimately going extinct. There
have been five mass extinctions in the history of life on Earth and we are currently in the midst of the sixth, which is the
result of human activities.
In this assignment, you will create a one-page newsletter in which you highlight two species that are on the threatened
or endangered species list for Canada. Specifically, your species must be endangered or threatened because of habitat
destruction or introduction of invasive species (one of each).
See: species at Risk Public Registry (Government of Canada) website
The assignment requires some introductory research on endangered species and CANNOT simply be copied and pasted.
Please take notes in your own words, then create a newsletter from your own notes. ANY PORTION of your newsletter
that is plagiarized will be awarded a mark of 0.
The following are the requirements of the assignment:
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Your newsletter needs a name such as, “The Endangered Species Gazette”
Your newsletter will be ONE PAGE in length and will include the following information on two endangered
species (each species must be on the Canada list of threatened and endangered species)
o The full scientific name of the species and common name for the species. Example: timber wolf
(common name) and Canis lupis (scientific name).
Note: The first part of the scientific name must be capitalized (Genus). The second part of the scientific name must be
lowercase (species). Both parts must be italicized.
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o The location and characteristics of its natural habitat
o Reasons/causes for the decline in population (why is this species endangered?)
o Specific characteristics of the species that has led to its decline
You must choose 2 out of the 3 species: plant, mammal and/or amphibian.
Your newsletter may be handwritten or printed from a computer. It must not exceed one page in length. Font is
12 Times New Roman and margins are 2.54 (Normal)
Grading Rubric
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Name of Newsletter:
One page in length
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Species #1:
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On the Canadian Endangered/Threatened species list
Scientific name (correct Genus and species)
Common name
Location and characteristics of natural ecosystem
Causes/reasons for decline (habitat loss, invasives)?
Specific characteristics
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Species #2:
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On the Canadian Endangered/Threatened species list
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Scientific name (correct Genus and species)
Common name
Location/characteristics of natural ecosystem
Causes/reasons for decline
Specific characteristics
Species is different from #1 (plant, mammal, amphibian)
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/1
/2 marks
/4 marks
/4 marks
/1 mark
Part B: Invasive Species Poster OR Persuasive Essay: We have been studying invasive species as
a way biodiversity gets reduced in ecosystems. In this assignment, you will research an invasive species and discuss its
impact on its local ecosystem. Managing invasive species is difficult and sometimes controversial (cane toads in
Australia). Often the control measures are labour intensive (physically removing all plants that are invasive by hand).
Your assignment is to create a “wanted” poster for an invasive species in Manitoba, or write a persuasive essay to our
local MLA (Cameron Friesen) regarding invasive species in Manitoba. Either option must be in size 12 font, Times New
Roman with margins NORMAL (2.54), spacing 1.5 lines.
Wanted Poster. Must include (2 pages)
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Name: Scientific name, common name, “criminal name”
Picture: a drawing or photograph of invasive species
Identifying characteristics: key features to look for when identifying the “criminal”
Last seen: When it was first discovered or introduced
Crimes committed: by your species (crimes must be specific to your species and not general to all invasive
species: think impact on local ecosystem/impact on native organisms)
Reward: for elimination of your species (think ecologically, economically, socially, politically…)
one page write-up along with poster explaining your species/poster in greater detail than the poster allows
(discuss connections within unit such as biodiversity, predator/prey relationships, population dynamics,
communities)
Bibliography-list of all sites used
Persuasive Essay. Must include (2 pages)
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An obvious stance on your invasive species (is it good, bad, do you want it removed, more brought in…?) clearly
within the first few sentences of your paragraph
An introduction history of your invasive (scientific, common name, where it came from, how it got here)
How many of the species are currently in this non-native ecosystem. How quickly does this organism move or
increase its range?
Where, specifically, is its current range? (Canada)
Why is it considered to be a problem?
Methods of control (what are people doing to decrease the population)?
Effects of control on native species (are they being harmed, are their populations increasing…)?
Cost for control of the species
Impact of the invasive on our economy and/or the ecosystem
How are you asking your local MLA to help? Why should they help with this issue?
Bibliography- list of all sites used.
Choose a species: The following are a list of a few invasive species in Canada (you may choose another species if you
clear it with me first!)
http://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/SitePages/Learn/Plant.aspx
Aquatic
Asian carp
Aquatic plants
Water soldier
Round Goby
Eurasian water
milfoil
European frog-bit
Rusty Crayfish
Sea lamprey
Killer shrimp
Zebra mussels
Hydrilla
Salt cedar
Forest pests
Asian long-horned
beetle
Emerald Ash borer
Forest pathogens
Beech bark disease
Plants
Purple loosestrife
Butternut canker
Dog strangling vine
Brown spruce longDutch elm disease
horned beetle
Mountain pine beetle Oak wilt
Gypsy moth
Sirex woodwasp
Garlic mustard
Japanese knotweed
Rubric for invasive species project:
Wanted Poster
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Name (Scientific and common)
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Picture
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Identifying characteristics
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Where from, how was it brought here
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Current distribution/habitat
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Crimes committed by your species
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Reward (be creative)
/4
Bibliography (minimum 2 sources)
/2
Creativity
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Write up (connections to course content such as biodiversity, population dynamics, poster explained in greater
detail)
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Persuasive Essay
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Stance on invasive; convincing MLA there is an issue here
An introduction history
Number of invasives, current range in Canada/Manitoba
Why is it considered to be a problem?
Methods of control/effects of control on native species
Cost for control of the species
Cost of the impact of the invasive on our economy and/or ecosystem
What help are you requesting from MLA? Why should they help you?
Bibliography- list of sites
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