Special Places: Eco-lessons from the National Parks in Atlantic Canada

Descriptive Analysis Guidelines

Your working team is responsible for carrying out a research project on a species at risk living in a national park in Atlantic Canada.If you collect information under each of the headings listed below,you will better understand where the species fits into its ecoregion,and will have sufficient information to prepare a presentation to share with your class.

NOTE: The numbers represent the total mark that can be obtained for each activity.

ECOZONE

• Propose courses of action on social issues related to science,taking into account an array of perspectives,including that of sustainability
  
  Mark:      /5
  
  
• Identify and describe the ecoregion including climate (temperature,wind,precipitation,photoperiod),vegetation,wildlife, physical geography
  
  Mark:      /5
  
  

SPECIES AT RISK

• Describe your species at risk using these categories:physical description,ecological/natural history,population and distribution,threats,protection,recovery efforts
  
  Mark:      /5
  
  
• Explain why your species at risk thrives and survives in this particular ecoregion
  
  Mark:      /5
  
  
• Identify and describe the primary reasons why your species is at risk.Consider ecological (e.g.habitat loss,climate change,etc.),social (e.g.recreational activities,etc.) and economic (e.g.land development,fur trapping industry,etc.) factors
  
  Mark:      /10
  
  

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Develop a series of six recommendations that would improve the population status of your species at risk
  
  Mark:      /15
  
  

PRESENTATION

• Present your findings,demonstrating an understanding of facts,terms,concepts and relationships
  
  Mark:      /20
  
  
• Use of support visuals effectively
  
  Mark:      /5
  
  
• Deliver the presentation in an organized fashion
  
  Mark:      /5
  
  
• Encourage class interest and participation in your topic
  
  Mark:      /5