The Ecologist

You are trained as an Ecologist.   An ecologist studies of the distribution and abundance of living organisms and how these properties are affected by interactions between the organisms and their environment.  You are specially trained in population ecology and how populations may be affected by environmental factors.

You really don’t support any of the Council’s business choices except for a Saltwater Taffy Factory.  You are especially aware that the endangered Pecos Pupfish could be more affected due to large scale industry such as shrimp farms or desalinization enterprises, You also point out that the West Texas ecosystem may have already been weakened due to years of drought and that there may be some waste management issues if the committee selects a shrimp factory.

Your biggest challenge will be to convince the Permian Sea Committee not to engage in large scale industry.

Use the links below for your research.  It is important that you read the information contained at each site with YOUR individual role and task in mind.

Using the IBC format (Introduction, Body, and Conclusion), write a one-page persuasive paper that summarizes your opinion and that includes the following:

·         Description of an ecologist and your area of expertise.

·         Information about the endangered Pecos Pupfish (include genus & species)

·         A detailed description of the West Texas ecosystem

·         Ecological concerns about large scale industry

·         Your persuasive comments on the overall business opportunity that the Permian Sea salt water could bring to the local economy

You will receive two grades for this project... an individual grade and group grade.

This paper is an individual grade.  More information about the group grade is back on the main page of this Web Quest site.

Click to see the grading rubric for this paper.  

Research Links

Ecology

Fort Worth Zoo (scroll down to read about the Pecos Pupfish)

Science of Candy: Saltwater Taffy Recipe

Pecos Pupfish (picture & info)

West Texas Wildlife District

Shrimp Pond Waste Management (abstract)

Shrimp Pond Waste Management (full .pdf article)

Area Plant Life

Area wildlife