The Cabrillo Aquarium
3720 Stephan White Drive, San Pedro, CA
Hours: T-F 12-5pm Sat and Sun 10-5
Phone: 310-548-7562
Fundamentals of ecology can best be understood through studies in the living environment.
This lab will familiarize students to the California Coastal Environment. You should acquire
some understanding of some basic principles of ecology and the role of biodiversity
Ecology is the study of organisms in relation to their environment.
The Realm of Ecology in regards to Levels of Organization is as follows:
Organism  Populations  Communities  Ecosystems
Cabrillo Aquarium is a Teaching Laboratory, PLEASE SHOW RESPECT FOR THE
FACILITY. Speak softly and exercise care when moving about
Define Ecosystem
Describe the Ecosystem depicted in the Aquarium
Biotic and abiotic factors characterize an ecosystem. Biotic factors are living and abiotic
factors are non-living.
Describe 3 biotic components. Include Autotrophs, Heterotrophs.
Describe 3 abiotic components.
The environment acts as a strong force selecting for those organisms best adapted to certain
environmental conditions. Those organisms possessing characteristics best suited for the
environment survive and pass on advantageous traits to their offspring. Over time those
organisms most fit for that environment proliferate while those least fit diminish in numbers
or don’t survive. Charles Darwin proposed the theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. The
two requirements for natural selection are Heritable Variation and Differential Reproduction.
Over time populations evolved having traits different from their ancestors Gradually new
species evolved. Evolution is the unifying theory in biology that explains diversity.
Many habitats exist in an ecosystem. An organism lives in a particular habitat. In that habitat
an organism plays a particular role called a “niche”. Describe 10 habitats in this Aquatic
Ecosystem and one organism that lives in each. Describe the organisms adaptation to the
habitat as it relates to modes of acquisition of food, color advantages related to predator/prey
relationships, or other.
Habitats Description
Organism 1
Adaptation
Within a habitat each organism has an ecological niche, its role or job, in the
ecosystem. An organism may be a producer or a consumer. These are referred to as trophic or
“modes of feeding “ levels. An organism is either an Autotrophs (Producers), Heterotroph
(primary consumers or herbivores, secondary consumers or carnivores or omnivores or
predator or prey). Heterotrophs that decompose dead organisms are called detrivores or
saprobes. Some organisms live in symbiotic relationships.
Identify organisms that are
Producers
Herbivores
Omnivores
Carnivores
Saprobes
Predator
Prey
Symbiotes
Draw the food web of this ecosystem.
What is the role of Algae in this Ecosystem.
How many varieties are present.
What is the largest Algae?
Name five beneficial uses of Algae for Man.
Phylla
Porifera
Organisms (Name Four)
Anatomical Distinctions
Cnideria
Platyhelminthes
Mollusca
Annelidea
Arthropoda
Echinodermata
Chordata
Go Visit the Grunian Exhibit. Describe the Grunian and the Grunian Run.
What examples of Convergent Evolution, Homologous and Analogous Structures are
discussed in the Aquarium (See Whale Exhibit). Write a brief (one paragraph) synopsis of
the theory
Draw the Evolutionary tree showing the relationship between all animals phyla you described
earlier.