Sample Outline for Ecosystem Research
1. Biome overview-basic information on the characteristics of your selected biome.
I have been researching the marine ecosystem and specifically coral reef
ecosystems. These are the ecosystems that are found around coral reefs….

Locations around the planet
Coral Reefs are found in waters that are warm enough to support coral. This is
generally the seas close to the equator (see map) …

Shared Climatic and physical characteristics
Coral reef ecosystems are generally supported by waters that are between___
and ___ degress. The coral which is the key stone species is the basis for life
in these ecosystems….
Source:http://online.factsonfile.com/biomes-of-the-earth-online.aspx?
2. Ecosystem Case Study: Specific details about the ecosystem you have selected.
I have selected the reef ecosystems that are around the island of Utila

Reasons for selection of specific ecosystem
I selected this ecosystem because this is the location that I learned how to
scuba dive and I was really interested in finding more information about the
ecosystem that I spent many underwater hours observing….

Location:

These ecosystems are found in the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras
in Central American in the Caribbean sea…
Source: http://www.eoearth.org/topics/view/49570/

Abiotic factors- Climate (rainfall, temperature, etc.),

Biotic factors- Examples:

Native plants, animals, other organisms
Some examples of unique plants and animals from this ecosystem
include;……

Food web
The food web that I created represents the flow of energy in this
ecosystem. Some key features of the ecosystem is that most
abundant species is_____and this has a big impact on the
production of energy which is distributed when first level
consumers eat it…..

Example of:
Adaptation:
An example adaptation in my ecosystem is how the ____fish has the ability to
camouflage into the reef to help it avoid being eaten by predators…..
Competition:
Symbiotic relationship:

Interesting and unique features of ecosystem.
3. Focus on a key stone/indicator species- find and highlight information about a
species that is a good indicator of changes in the ecosystem.
4. Endangered Species- Pick one species that is endangered and find out why it is
endangered.
5. Human impacts on the ecosystem/biome.

How are humans negatively impacting this ecosystem and biome?

What are humans doing to preserve or support this ecosystem?

What resources are humans extracting from this ecosystem?