ECOLOGY UNIT
AP BIOLOGY
CHAPTERS 45-47
Background of Project
The following project is to familiarize you with the unit of ecology. The unit correlates with sections within chapters
45-47 of the Mader text; however, you may use the internet for content and pictures.
Plagiarism is a no-no!
All work must be in your own words. Plagiarism at any point will result in a zero for the assignment. There will be no
usage of quotations in this assignment. There are many parts that require definitions, descriptions, or explanations.
Remember that all work must be in your own words/paraphrased. Do not plagiarize. Do not simply change a few
words around and think that is okay. If you have any questions ask or refer to www.plagiarism.org
Grading:
The assignment is worth 50 pts. You will be graded on aesthetics, grammar, formatting, and obviously completeness
and accuracy of content material.
Logistics:
- All font types and sizes throughout the booklet should flow (i.e. there should not be different types and sizes
randomly throughout the booklet).
- Each page should be numbered
- Each new “topic” should have a heading/title on the page. Example: you could put the heading Heterotrophs for
page 5 (but you do not have to put a title/heading on pages 6 and 7 since it is a continuation of the same topic).
PROJECT BOOKLET DUE APRIL 10
This date is taking into account printer/copier issues. The preferred due date is Thursday, April 5 th.
QUIZ: APRIL 10
Project Details
Page 1: COVER PAGE: Include the following: Your names, a title for your project, and a Picture of your biome
Pages 2-3: For each of the following biomes, identify common species and major characteristics that
identify this biome. (Chapter 46)
a. Tropical Rain forest
b. Savanna
c. Temperate Grasslands
d. Temperate deciduous (broadleaf) forest
e. Desert
f. Taiga
g. Tundra
h. Chaparral
In some way (star/highlight/circle) identify your biome.
Page 4: Autotrophs
Define autotrophs and heterotrophs. What is another name for an autotroph? Another name for a heterotroph?
Describe the 2 types of autotrophs (photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs).
Pages 5-7: Heterotrophs
Describe the types of heterotrophs (herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, detritivores, and decomposers). For each
type of heterotroph, provide a picture with the description.
Page 8: Energy Flow
Summarize energy flow and cycling on page 853.
Page 9: Diagram 1 food chain that would exist in your biome.
Your food chain should include pictures of each organism along with the name of the organism. Label each individual
in the chain appropriately with the type of trophic level (primary producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer,
etc).
Page 10: Diagram 1 food web that would exist in your biome.
Your food web should contain the food chain you used on the previous page. You may use pictures or actually draw.
Page 11: Biomass
Define biomass. Find a biomass pyramid picture and explain the concept of biomass using the picture.
Pages 12-15: Describe and diagram all 4 biogeographic cycles.
The cycles are: carbon cycle, hydrologic cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle. One cycle per page. In the diagram,
either draw or obtain pictures.
Page 16: Define habitat and niche.
You should define each term. Then choose one of the organisms from your food chain for your biome and identify its
habitat, and one example of its niche.
Pages 17-19: Describe the symbiotic relationships.
The symbiotic relationships are: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Include photos/diagrams of the
organisms in the relationship in your biome. One relationship per page.
Page 20: Identify 2 predator/prey relationships in your biome.
Include photos/diagrams of each.
Pages 21-22: Learn about competition between species or individuals of the same species.
Define competition. Find a picture and explain the competitive exclusion principle pertaining to the picture
specifically. Do the same for resource partitioning and character displacement.
Pages 23-24: Learn about coevolution.
The following examples/mechanisms of coevolution are:
a. secondary compounds
b. camouflage
c. aposematic/warning coloration
d. mimicry
Explain/define each. Provide a diagram/photo of at least 2 of the 4 examples/mechanisms. If possible, include
examples pertaining to your biome. If not, then include any two examples. Put 2 mechanisms on each page.
Page 25: Define dominant species and keystone species.
Give an example of the dominant species and a keystone species that applies to your biome. Provide a picture of each.
Page 26: Define primary and secondary succession.
Define/describe each type of succession. Give an example of each.
Pages 27-28: Discuss/summarize the 4 major causes of extinction. (Section 47.3)
These are the 4 major threats to biodiversity (habitat loss, exotic/alien species, pollution, overexploitation). If there
are terms that come up in the discussion that are ecology related terms, be sure to provide a definition for those.
Summarize each threat in one paragraph or so. Put 2 threats on a page.
Page 29: References
You do not have to format the references. A basic/simple list will suffice. You may choose your respectable sources.
If you view and use a website, simply write the web address and a title of the website.