Snow Leopard Endangerment
We researched snow leopards and their environment, found any problems in the ecosystem, and made a plan to solve these problems. Then, we raised awareness for the snow leopards and showed our classmates what they could do to help. We presented our findings to the class, and made a website that was accessible to the whole school.
Below is our presentation, and the link to our website.
Ecology Concepts
- Ecology- The study of how organisms interact with their environment.
- Autotroph- An organism that gets energy from its environment, either using sunlight or chemicals. In the Himalayan ecosystem, Grieg's turnips are autotrophs.
- Heterotroph- An organism that gets energy from other organisms. Decomposers, carnivores, and herbivores are all considered heterotrophs. Snow leopards are heterotrophs.
- Photosynthesis- The process of making energy from sunlight. Greig's turnips use this process.
- Chemosynthesis- The process of making energy from chemicals. No species in the Himalayas use this process.
- Individual- One organism. A single snow leopard is an individual.
- Population- A group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area. We found that the snow leopard population is decreasing.
- Community- Populations of different species that interact together.
- Ecosystem- Communities of living things interacting with their nonliving environment. The Himalayas are an ecosystem.
- Biome- Groups of ecosystems with similar species and climates. The snow leopard lives in an alpine biome.
- Biosphere- All the ecosystems of the planet combined.
- Ecosphere- All living organisms on Earth.
- Lithosphere- All land environments on Earth.
- Hydroshere- All water environments on Earth.
- Atmosphere- All air environments on Earth.
- Biotic- Living organisms in an ecosystem. Snow leopards are biotic components of the himalayan ecosystem.
- Abiotic- Nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Snow levels are abiotic factors in the Himilayas.
- Flora- Plants.
- Fauna- Animals.
- Trophic levels- Different levels of organisms grouped by how they get energy.
Reflection
This was an important project to me. Our team had great collaboration throughout the project. We were able to efficiently work together, and communicate clearly. Our team was able to adapt to a new focus for the project quickly, and we were able to finish on time. Unfortunately, our team jumped into an idea for the project too soon, before we thought of a plan for it. I learned that planning is very important. I will make sure to completely understand what needs to be done, before beginning for the next project. I also learned that if I find that I have a mistake, I should change what I'm doing. This project taught me a lot. I'm glad my team decided to change our focus to a topic that would have a more meaningful effect.