Name ___________________________
Ecology Portfolio
Due Date________
Introduction
As the first large project in this class, you will be investigating two questions that are related to ecology involving the effects of abiotic factors and competition. You will be in charge of keeping detailed notes of your experiences with the following two experiments, as well as perform various skills in order to show your understanding of the material taught in class as it relates to your experiments. At the end of the project, you’ll include all the information you’ve gathered in a neat, organized, and well-presented portfolio.
Objectives
Ecology Standard 6 Stability in an ecosystem is a balance between competing effects.
A. Biodiversity is the sum total of different kinds of organisms and is affected by alterations of habitats.
B. Analyze changes in an ecosystem resulting from changes in climate, human activity, introduction of nonnative species, or changes in population size.
C. Fluctuations in population size in an ecosystem are determined by the relative rates of birth, immigration, emigration, and death.
D. Water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle between abiotic resources and organic matter in the ecosystem and how oxygen cycles through photosynthesis and respiration.
E. A vital part of an ecosystem is the stability of its producers and decomposers.
F. E ach link in a food web some energy is stored in newly made structures but much energy is dissipated into the environment as heat. This dissipation may be represented in an energy pyramid.
ITEMS THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN YOUR ECOLOGY PORTFOLIO:
Cover
 Design a colorful and durable cover for your portfolio.
 Think of an appropriate, descriptive title for your portfolio
 Include your name, lab partners, and class period on the cover.
Cycles
 Need each nutrient cycle (does not need to be hand drawn), should be in color and labeled.
 Oxygen
 Carbon
 Nitrogen
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Water (Hydrologic)
Phosphorus
 Describe each of the cycles (1-2 Paragraphs each)
 Describe their relationship to experiment (1-2 Paragraphs each)
Variable Being Tested _____________________
Variations:
Plant #1: Normal (Control) ____________________________
Plant #2 More of the variable being tested (light or water) __________________________
Plant #3: Less of the variable being tested (light or water) __________________________
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Experimental Design Worksheet
 Fill in the experimental design worksheet for your variables (This will work as your rough draft for the final project)
Formal Lab Write-up (detailed info about each section is listed in the Biology Lab Template)
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Title should tell readers what the lab is about
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Background info on your variable and what we know ab out it’s affect on plant growth
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Purpose
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Hypothesis: i f …then…because
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Materials (bulleted list)
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Procedures (numbered list)
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Data Table
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Line Graph
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Results
(growth in millimeters of your plants)
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Conclusion : did your data support your hypothesis?
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Analysis
 Include a 2-3 paragraph summary of your lab results and why you got those results
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 Include at least three follow-up questions (What you still want to know)
Lab Questions:
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS: (site your sources and add to end of labs)
1. What is the main function of Nitrogen for plant growth?
2. What is the main function of Carbon for plant growth?
3. What is the main function of Water in plants?
4. What are the minimum growth requirements for plants? a. What are the best conditions for grass seed germination?
POST-LAB QUESTIONS:
5. Describe qualitatively , the differences did you observe between the three cups?
6. Based on your quantitative data, which cup was the most successful and why?
7. Describe the limiting factors for the seedlings?
8. Why is it important to keep all of the conditions constant except the variable that is being tested?
Short list of what to include in your portfolio:
As you work with your group to investigate your mini ecosystem, you’ll be collecting detailed information. At the end of the project, you’ll include all this information in a neat, organized, and well-presented portfolio. The portfolio is an individual assignment, but you may work together to collect the information
CHECKLIST:
 Cover
 Table of Contents
 Nutrient Cycles with Explanation of Cycles Importance to Plant Growth
 Nutrient Cycle #1: with Explanation of importance and Importance to plants
 Nutrient Cycle #2: with Explanation of importance and Importance to plants
 Nutrient Cycle #3: with Explanation of importance and Importance to plants
 Nutrient Cycle #4: with Explanation of importance and Importance to plants
 Nutrient Cycle #5: with Explanation of importance and Importance to plants
 Analysis questions/answers (Pre-and Post Lab Questions 1-8)
Variable __________________________
 Experimental Design Worksheet Guide
Lab Write-up
 Title
 Background
 Purpose
 Hypothesis
 Materials
 Procedure
 Data Table
 Line Graph
 Results
 Conclusion
 Analysis Paragraphs
 3 Follow-up Questions w/ answers
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Name: ___________________________ Date: ________ Teacher Approval_______
Experimental Design Worksheet Guide
Research Topic (describe in as much detail as possible): ( This will help with background information )
Come up with a research question.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Variables:
1. Identify the independent (manipulated) variable. ________________________________________ a. How will it be measured? ____________________________________________________
2. Identify the dependent (responding) variable. __________________________________________ a. How will it be measured? ____________________________________________________
3. Identify your control. _____________________________________________________________
4. Variable Being Tested _____________________
Variations:
Plant #1: Normal (Control) ____________________________
Plant #2 More of the variable being tested (light or water) __________________________
Plant #3: Less of the variable being tested (light or water) __________________________
5. Constants/ Controlled factors (5 and reason): a. _____________________________________________________________________________ b. _____________________________________________________________________________ c. _____________________________________________________________________________ d. _____________________________________________________________________________ e. ____________________________________________________________________________
6. State your hypothesis.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Describe the materials you will need to do the experiment.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
8. What kind of graph or chart are you going to use to present your data? Line/bar/circle Why?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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9. Write a procedure to test your hypothesis. Remember to include safety considerations and a detailed set-up. (Should be a numbered list)
10. Design the data table that you will use to collect and display your results.
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