Introduction: In Project 6 you made an active observation at a natural area, a zoo, or an aquarium. For Project 7, build on the outline you developed using the data you collected for Project 6 (your notes on the organisms identified and your research about these organisms) to write an organized report.
Directions: Write an organized report (essay format) on each organism you studied. You may organize it by ecological role (producers, herbivores, carnivores), major organism type (algae, fungi, grasses, herbs, insects, mammals, birds), or any other logical, systematic theme you choose.
1. Identify and focus on at least four organisms that interest you.
2. Classify each organism ecologically.
3. Respond to the following questions (if applicable), for EACH organism:
What part does it play in the community? Is it a producer, herbivore, carnivore, top carnivore, reducer, or decomposer? Where does it get its nutrients? What eats it?
About how many were there? Mention distribution patterns (clumps or close grouping vs. more evenly scattered individuals) and interactions (mutualism, parasitism, predation, etc.).
Notice adaptations such as protective coloration (camouflage), means by which plant seeds are transported, interesting behaviors, etc.
What is its effect, if any, on man (pollen and hay fever, termites and wooden houses, “weeds” and pastures)? What effect has man had on this organism (climate change, habitat loss, pollution, etc.)?
4. Include scientific and common names: Use both scientific and common names to refer to organisms. Scientific names generally consist of the Latin genus and species name of the organism. The genus name is always capitalized, while the species name is never capitalized. The names must also be in italics or underlined. (For example, the scientific name for humans is Homo sapien.) You may find these names in identification guides from the library or on the Internet.
5. Citations: Be sure to list the references and guides used to identify organisms and provide further information for your report.
6. Report length: This report should consist of a 500-word (minimum) write up on EACH of the four organisms.
