Life on Planet Earth: Independent Research
Name_________________
Date__________
Period_____
Standard(s):

BI 6.a-Students know biodiversity is the sum total of different kinds of organisms and is affected by alterations of habitats.

BI 6.e-Students know a vital part of an ecosystem is the stability of its producers and decomposers.

BI.6.f-Students know at each link in a food web some energy is stored in newly made structures but much energy is dissipated into the environment as heat. The dissipation may be represented in an energy pyramid.
Directions:
 Observe the diversity of life on Earth from the “Life” DVD.

List at least 5 organisms from each ecosystem in table 1 and also list where it lives.

Research one organism and answer the analysis questions below.
Resources:
 http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/
 http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html
 http://www.fossweb.com/modulesMS/DiversityofLife/index.html
 http://www.mnh.si.edu/explore/diversity.htm
Table 1. Diversity of Life
Name of Organism Habitat/Ecosystem
Analysis Questions:
1.) Copy and paste an image of your organism and its habitat/ecosystem in the box below.
Organism Habitat/Ecosystem
2.) What type of biome is the organism located in? Describe the characteristics of this biome (ie climate, weather, vegetation).
3.) What type of consumer is your organism? What does it eat usually eat?
4.) What adaptations does your organism have to help it survive?

5.) Why must there be balance between the predators and prey in order to maintain the stability of an ecosystem?