Organism X: Ecology Project 2015
Name _______________________
“Organism X” is our thematic project for this class. For this part of the project, you will demonstrate
understanding of ecological principles studied during this unit: biotic/abiotic factors in a habitat, population
growth, and interdependence and interrelationships among organisms in an ecosystem. You will be studying
an organism from the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
TASKS:
1. Organism selection. Select an organism from the Point Defiance Zoo or Aquarium. There may not
be any repeats in one class.
My organism is _________________________.
2. Habitat and Matter and Energy Description. In a typed document, complete the following:
a. Describe in detail the habitat of your organism. Include at least 4 biotic and 4 abiotic
resources found in the habitat. Each resource must be clearly identified as biotic or abiotic. .
Be as specific as possible. If you mention trees, what species? How much sunlight does the
area receive? **NOTE: you must research the actual abiotic and biotic factors that exist
in your organism’s true habitat. Its current zoo habitat may not be the exact habitat it
would have in the wild.**
b. Explain which role your organism plays in the energy pyramid. Is your organism a producer,
consumer (Primary? Secondary? Tertiary?), or decomposer? Explain the role it plays in the
food web of its habitat.
c. Describe how your organism fits into the carbon and nitrogen cycles of its ecosystem. In your
description, you must discuss the sources from which your organism gets carbon and
nitrogen, and how the carbon and nitrogen stored in your organism is released back into the
ecosystem.
3. Visual Product and Species Interactions. This section includes a visual and written portion:
a. Create a colored drawing of your organism. This visual will also include at least four other
organisms that your organism interacts with in the background. These will be drawn in black
and white and should showcase an example of all four of the species interactions we have
discussed (predation, competition, neutralism, and mutualism). You must show an example of
EACH of the four interactions (ex. You can’t have four predators). Each organism in the
drawing should be labeled with its common name and the type of species interaction shared
with the main organism. **NOTE: If you are having trouble finding one or more of the
interactions, you may substitute in commensalism or amensalism, but this will require
you to research these types of interactions.**
b. In your written paper (can be on the same page as task 2), use complete sentences to
describe the species interactions shown in your illustration. You must justify why each
interaction is competition, predation, neutralism or mutualism.
4. Population Graph and Limiting Factors. This section includes a graph and written information
contained in the figure legend of the graph.
a. Create a graph that illustrates the fluctuations your organism’s population over a period of at
least 10 generations. You are allowed to create your own data for this section, but ideally the
graph would be based on actual trends for this species.
b. Your graph must be drawn neatly (using a straight edge) or generated on a computer. The
graph must fill the page, have axis labels (including units) and a title, written below the graph.
c. Pick three distinct points on different parts of your graphed line that will be interesting to
discuss in your figure legend. Label these points A, B, and C. In the figure legend (the written
section following the title) describe what is happening to the population at points A, B and C.
Your description must mention at least one limiting factor and carrying capacity.
Organism X: Ecology Project 2015
Beginning
Approaching
Name _______________________
Meeting
The description has the following:
LS2A
Two or more of the
requirements are not
met, or the answer is
largely incomplete.
One of the
requirements is not
met, or the answers
are vague or difficult
to understand.
Habitat and
Matter and
Energy
Description
1. A detailed description of the
organism’s natural habitat.
2. Identification of 4 biotic and 4
abiotic resources unique to the
habitat of Organism X.
3. An explanation of the role your
organism plays in the energy
pyramid.
4. A description of the role your
organism plays in the carbon and
nitrogen cycle of its ecosystem.
Exceeding
The work has everything
in “Meeting” plus:
The habitat description is
very detailed and complete.
More than 4 biotic and
abiotic components are
included.
An professional diagram is
included, drawn by you.
This could be a carbon or
nitrogen cycles diagram or a
diagram of an energy
pyramid.
Project is turned in on time.
The drawing has the following
requirements:
LS2E
Visual
Product
(Drawing)
Species
Interactions
Most of the
requirements are not
met. The drawing
appears messy and /or
incomplete.
Less than three
species interactions
are identified correctly.
Justification for each
interaction is
incomplete.
One or two of the
requirements are not
met. Some parts
may contain details,
but the drawing
appears somewhat
unfinished.
Three species
interactions are
identified correctly,
or justification for
each interaction is
incomplete.
1. Organism X is drawn in color and
is the focal point of the visual.
2. Four other organisms are drawn
in black and white in the
background.
3. Each organism is labeled with its
common name and the type of
interaction shared with Org. X.
4. The artwork is neat, and fills the
paper. All pencils marks are erased
and the work looks finished.
All four species interactions are
depicted and identified correctly.
Justification for each interaction
shows a clear understanding of the
interaction.
The drawing has a high
level of neatness and detail.
The drawing may contain
more than 4 other
organisms.
It has the power to “wow”
the viewer.
Extra species interactions
that were not covered in
class are included and
explained. (HINT:
commensalism and
amensalism.)
Project is turned in on time.
LS2 C
Population
Graph
Discussion of
graph
Graph does not show
the growth of a
population over
approximately 10
generations. Labels
missing. Graph not
completed neatly.
Graph shows the
growth of a
population over
approximately 10
generations. X and
Y-axis are labeled
incorrectly or not at
all. Graph is not
neat.
The graph has all of the following:
Less than two points
are identified.
Explanation does not
address limiting factors
and/or carrying
capacity.
Two or three points
are identified and
discussed
accurately.
Explanation
incorrectly
addresses limiting
factors and/or
carrying capacity.
The discussion (written in the figure
legend) includes:
1. Graph shows the growth of a
population over 10 generations.
2. Graph is drawn neatly or
computer generated
3. X and Y-axis are labeled
correctly with units and a title is
included below the graph.
1. Three points of interest on the
graph, labeled A, B, and C.
2. A description of what is
happening at points A, B, and C.
3. An accurate explanation of how
carrying capacity and limiting factors
are relevant to your graph.
The graph takes into
account background
information about the
organism’s true population
status in the wild, and the
source is cited in the figure
legend.
Explanation of limiting
factors and carrying
capacity are very clear and
detailed.
Project is turned in on time.
Organism X: Ecology Project 2015
Name _______________________