Introduction
Our world is full of amazing interactions that make up our ecosystem. Every species on this planet has a purpose, even a predator. When studying riparian areas in Yellowstone, scientists Ripple and Beschta (2011) discovered something very interesting regarding the interaction between several species: wolves, elk, beavers, frogs, etc. In 1995, wolves were re-introduced into Yellowstone and the changes that came to the environment were drastic. Before the re-introduction, Yellowstone's environment was failing, causing several species to disappear. Ripple and Beschta (2011) discovered that with the absence of the wolf, elk would congregate around riparian zones and destroy the habitat. When the wolf was re-introduced, the elk began to move constantly because of the predator increase. Twenty years later, Yellowstone is flourishing and species such as the beaver and red-legged frog have returned to these different riparian zones.
There is so much we do not know about this Earth. By understanding these different interactions, we can start to help create a better world for our future generations. For this assignment, we will observe different environments and discuss the variety of predators that might inhabit these different ecosystems. According McClellan (2010), students will be able to explain species that are non-native by understanding the different species that are native to a particular area and students will be able to compare biodiversity among different species. By completing this virtual tour, students will learn about different species and their ecosystems.
Task
During this virtual tour, we will be observing the following exhibits:
1) The Cougar Habitat
2) The Polar Bear Habitat
3) The Wolf Habitat
4) The Caribou Habitat
5) Jaguar....In Arizona?
6) Humans – What we have done to the planet
Process
EXHIBIT #1: THE COUGAR LIFE:
The Cougar Habitat
This species of cat is also know as: puma, mountain lion, and the Florida panther. Cougars can be found all over the United States and in the Pacific Northwest they are primarily found in the forests. Cougars can live up to 10 years in the wild and have been known to live up to 20 years old in captivity (Animal Fact Guide, 2015). Females can start having litters at age 2-3 and they will typically have anywhere from 2-3 kittens at a time (Animal Fact Guide, 2015). In the Pacific Northwest, cougars hunt the forest lands and will stalk their prey from the trees.
What Cougars Eat
Cougars are predators that stalk their prey and have been known to eat elk, deer, coyote, porcipines, and racoons.
EXHIBIT #2: POLAR BEAR LIFE
Polar Bear Habitat:
Polar bears are endangered species that live in the coldest climate on our planet in northern Canada, Russia, Norway, and Greenland. In this harsh environment, polar bears must find food by swimming in the cold seas from ice burge to ice burge. Polar bears have unique fur pigment, "free and transparent with a hollow core that scatters and reflects visible light," (Polar Bears International, n.d.). The skin of a polar bear is approximately 4.5 inches to help with the cold climate they live in (Polar Bears International, n.d.). What do Polar Bear's eat? Polar bears will eat whatever is readily available. Polar bears are mainly opportunistic because of the harsh climate, however, sometimes they are lucky they might get a fresh sea lion.
EXHIBIT #3: THE WOLF
Wolf Habitat
Historically, wolves roamed the entire United States, but now they are considered an endangered species. Currently, there are only a few states that the wolves are residence in. However, even in these states where this predator resides in, there are those who do not want the wolf to come back because they feel wolves are a threat to live stock and humans. Wolves live in forested areas and hunt their prey in packs (usually). What do Wolves eat? A wolf pack will be able to chase down an elk, deer, moose, or any larger ungulate. Wolves have been documented to take the sick and dying animals which helps decrease the amount of disease.
EXHIBIT #4: CARIBOU
Caribou Habitat:
Caribou travel in herds and have been known to travel over 600 miles (National Geographic, 2015). Caribou can live up to 15 years and will typically have one calf per year. Both males and females will have antlers and this species is considered endangered. What do Caribou eat? Caribou are considered herbivores and can be found grazing the different grasses in the summer.
EXHIBIT #5: JAGUAR....IN ARIZONA?
Jaguar Facts:
According to Rizzo (2005), the last female jaguar had been hunted in 1963 and four males killed by 1986. In 1999, a scientist placed trail cames to see if they could find some evidence of this species coming back (Rizzo, 2005). By 2003 there had been several sightings for male jaguars and some say this is the return of this big cat (Rizzo, 2005). This species of cat was hunted to the brink of extinction and has recently been making a come back. Jaguars are carnivorous predators that hunt for their food, but can also be oportunistic when food is scarce.
What do Jaguars eat?
EXHIBIT #6: HUMANS
Where do we live?
On this planet there are over 7 billion people. Humans have developed our own means of gaining food through production lines and processing machines. We pollute our land and continue to take resources from the land. In order to not make us part of the endangered species list, our species must work together to help change what we have created. We are capable of great things and our job is to take care of our planet. By looking at these other species, we see that each animal has a purpose in their own environment. Humans are able to adapt to any type of environment and our main goal is to live and use more things. It is up to every individual to make that choice to change, to not want to be a throw away society.
Evaluation
For the evaluation, choose any issue regarding an endangered, threatened, or extinct species. Students will have to create a five minute presentation that introduces their species. In the presentation students will have to answer the following questions:
1) Where does (did) this species live? What type of habitat?
2) Discuss the food web of this species.
3) Why is this species endangered, threatened, or extinct?
a) If this species is endangered or threatened, how can humans help increase the population?
4) If this species is extinct, has there been any other species that might have taken the place of this species in the
environment?
5) What are some of the ecological impacts this species has on the environment?
Credits
References
Allison, L. and Wilson, D. (n.d.). Caribou and baby [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.beingcaribou.com/beingcaribou/
Animal Facts Guide. (n.d.). Cougar: Puma concolor. Retrieved from http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/cougar/
Cougar [Camera photo]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE…
Cougar and Coyote [Camera photo]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.walldesk.net/wallpaper/wallpapers-law-of-the-forest-03.asp?f…
Elk. [Camera photo]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fishlake/maps-pubs/?cid=fsm9_019946
Jaguar [Image]. (n.d.), Retrieved from https://jaguarhabitatusa.wordpress.com/
Kuehr, H. (n.d.). Polar bear with dead whale [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.reidsguides.com/destinations/europe/norway/svalbard/
Lamb, R. (n.d.). Sea lion pup (Image). Retrieved from http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/eat-polar-bear-liver1.htm
National Geographic. (2015). Caribou. Retrieved from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/caribou/
Pacific Northwest [Camera photo]. (n.d.). Retreived from http://www.pmgnw.com/property-management/beautiful-northwest/
Polar bear cubs [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hdwallpapers.im/polar_bear_cubs-wallpaper.html
Polar Bears International. (n.d.). Polar bear facts and information. Retrieved from http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/about-polar-bears/essentials
Rizzo, W. (2005). Return of the jaguar? Retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/return-of-the-jaguar-11063…
Simranjeet. (n.d.). Caribou grazing (Image). Retrieved from http://www.desibucket.com/tag/caribou/
Sun and Earth wallpaper [Wallpaper picture]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wallconvert.com/wallpapers/space/sun-and-earth-18505.html
Times square New York [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://travellingmoods.com/times-square-new-york/
Wolf [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wildanddomestic.com/blog/
Wolf pack chacing elk [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://theworldofanimals.proboards.com/thread/799/grey-wolf-komodo-drag…