Tuesday 9 June 2015

The role of humans for species in the ocean

Human impact on the ocean and what we could do 

If you would like to take another look at the video, access the link below- 

http://video.nationalgeographic.com.au/video/why-ocean-matters

Using what you saw from the video and the links provided, decide on one member from each group to type a comment (a paragraph) on this post one way that humans can affect the ocean and the animals in it, whether you disagree/ agree with their actions and why.  (once you have chosen your area, inform the teacher to ensure not everyone is doing the same issue)

Make suggestions about what positive action could be taken to create a healthier ocean, as well as questions you may be curious about relating to this topic.  


 http://www.mfe.govt.nz/marine/marine-pages-kids/effects-human-impacts
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/oceans/risks_to_oceans.cfm
http://ocean.si.edu/blog/helping-kids-help-ocean

Once you have done this, start developing your poster using an A3 piece of paper. 





Saturday 6 June 2015

Exploring the relationships between species of the sea using food chains and webs



Food chains and food webs

A food chain shows how particular living things get their food, as well as how energy and nutrients are passed from species to species. 

A food web is a series of interacting food chains, meaning many food chains put together. In a food web, species can be Producers, Consumers or Decomposers. 

Take a look at the video below to have a better understanding of what these mean:  





Once you have watched the short video, try to match the following terms to their definition


Producer              Consumers                Primary Consumer        Secondary consumer 

          Decomposer                  Carnivore         Herbivore          Omnivore 


Definitions:


  • An animal that eats plants and/or animals
  • An animal that only eats plants
  • A bacteria or fungus that eats decaying matter- dead animals or plants, which leads to mineral and nutrients being placed back into the soil (to be used by plants) 
  • An animal that eats plants and animals
  • An animal that consumes only plant matter and is a herbivore e.g. a cow
  • An animal that only eats other animals
  •  Usually a plant that produces their own food using energy from the sun
  • An animal that eats herbivores


An example of a  a simple food web: 





Here is a simple food web that shows how some consumers eat producers and consumers eat other consumers. However, you may have noticed there is something missing... what is missing? 

... yes there is no decomposer in this food web. Students may or may not wish to put this in their food web. 









Tuesday 2 June 2015

Introduction to the ocean and the survival of its creatures

             

            The Ocean




















       Oceans are an essential part for life on planet Earth and for people. Nearly three-quarters of   Earth is covered by oceans. A large amount of the oxygen we breathe is created by the ocean. It is also home to many species. 



Activity

Once you have placed yourselves into groups of six according to your colour groups, comment on this post the species you will be exploring and the members in your group (Green group pick one of any of the species in green). Then, use the links to access information on each species by clicking on the picture or copying and pasting the website.    

Using the website, identify and describe 5 factors that each species will need in the environment to survive (other websites can be used to find more information). Each group should write or draw these factors on an A4 piece of paper that will be shared with the class.    


Giant kelp

http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/about/ecosystems/kelpdesc.html



 

 

 

 

 

   

http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/about/ecosystems/kelpdesc.html





White shrimp

 

http://www.fishwatch.gov/seafood_profiles/species/shrimp/species_pages/white_shrimp.htm














http://www.fishwatch.gov/seafood_profiles/species/shrimp/species_pages/white_shrimp.htm



Common Limpets

 
 
http://britishseafishing.co.uk/limpets/


http://britishseafishing.co.uk/limpets/



 Dugong 


http://www.sharkbay.org/dugongfactsheet.aspx 











 http://www.sharkbay.org/dugongfactsheet.aspx


Leopard seal     


















http://www.seals-world.com/leopard-seal/