Transcript The Niche Project - Downtown Magnets High School

The Niche Project
Honors Biology, Periods 3 and 5
Due Monday April 4, 2011
What to include:
• Pick an organism. Identify and describe it including its scientific
name
• Describe its ecological niche
• Is it a consumer or producer?
• Is it an herbivore, carnivore, omnivore?
• What does it eat?
• What is its habitat?
• What biotic and abiotic factors affect the organism’s survival,
population growth and density.
• How does it interact and coexist with other organisms within its
community (including its environment)?
• Include a picture either drawn, photo or internet source.
• Include a bibliography/reference list of your information source.
• Type your report using Arial font size 12 and double space. Spell
check your report.
• 10 points extra credit if you do a power point or poster board
presentation. (If PPT, bring on a flash drive. Plan to present in class
on April 4, 2011.
Example:
American Red Squirrel - (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
REPORT FORMAT Example:
The Squirrels
There are three species of squirrel native to Prince Edward Island. All three are quite common,
though the red squirrel is easiest to spot, since it is active during the daytime throughout the year.
Each species of squirrel has its own niche and its own charm
Identification:
The common red squirrel is the largest of our squirrels, with a long-tail and fur that is dark above
and light below. In winter the rusty colour seems very bright, while in the summer the colour
darkens noticeably. It is one of our best-known mammals, whether it is raiding bird feeders for
sunflower seeds and peanuts, or in the woods scolding visitors. What's a walk in an Island forest
without meeting a red squirrel high above on a branch, stamping its foot and trying to drive you out
of its territory. They really make the woods seem alive. While this might seem like aggression, they
are just as likely to come down and bum some food if you happen to be eating a cookie or peanuts.
Habitat:
Though ideally suited for forest life, being quick, agile climbers, red squirrels can be nuisances
around homes. They think nothing of using an attic for a den, or digging holes under your house to
store winter food. Red squirrels are very adaptable, at home in coniferous forests but able to thrive
just about anywhere. They prefer to nest in tree cavities but will sometimes live in rotted stumps or
piles of stones.
Feeding:
Red squirrels are known as seed and nut eaters - everything from balsam fir seeds to beaked
hazelnuts and acorns. They will also eat insects, fruit, fungi and birds eggs, and spend much of their
time storing food. In good years, they put away far more than they can eat, spreading seed
throughout a wide area.
THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU
NEED TO PUT ON YOUR REPORT. USE THE CLASS HANDOUT FOR WHAT YOU NEED TO
INCLUDE IN YOUR REPORT!