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AP Biology Unit 8: Ecology Independent Study Project (100 points)Dear Student, as part of our last unit of study in AP Biology (Unit 8, Ecology), I will be asking you to research how the Essential Knowledge statements for this unit apply to our local ecosystem(s). You will present your findings in the form of a carefully outlined Google Document. Be creative and find me some good examples!!RequirementsAll organisms (their patterns or behaviors) that you identify as examples of information described in the Essential Knowledge, must be found in, or near, our local ecosystem (let’s limit the boundaries to the beautiful state of Colorado). Please visit the resources I have listed further in this document to help you with this process.You must complete your assignment in Google Docs, share it with me and send email notification.Sharing this document will allow me to monitor your progress as well as provide helpful feedback on your assignment, before you turn it in. Please carefully outline your responses when completing this assignment. Identify your responses in this assignment just like you would on the FRQ portion of the AP Exam. For example, be sure to label your responses as 1a, 1b, 1c and so forth, as they correlate to the EKs found later in this document. Use complete sentences, proper grammar, and do not use texting and chat abbreviations- treat this as though you were answering an FRQ on the exam.Be sure to summarize, paraphrase, or use direct quotes, but don’t simply copy and paste the information that you find on the internet into your document. Cite each image and piece that you take information from by pasting the URL right by it.For each Essential Knowledge listed, be sure to insert one image that pertains to the topic. Cite your source for the image as well, in the same format mentioned above. Please do not include large, oversized images. See my example on the next page.Resources: Wild Colorado: Crossroads of Biodiversity (Be sure to read through this, it is probably your best resource)Wildlife in Colorado National ParksGoogle (Be sure to only reference organisms found locally)_Example Student Response for Topic 2a_ 2a) Describe how an organism uses a signal (visual, audible, tactile, electrical, or chemical) that allows it to show dominance, find food, establish territory, or achieve reproductive success. During the rut, a bull elk will bugle (an audible signal) to establish dominance over other bulls and to attract females. location: 8 Essential Knowledge Statements Organisms exchange information with one another in response to internal changes and external cues, which can change behavior.Identify an example of how organisms exchange information with one another.Describe how an organism’s behavior changes because of this information exchange. Communication occurs through various mechanisms.Describe how an organism uses a signal (visual, audible, tactile, electrical, or chemical) that allows it to show dominance, find food, establish territory, or achieve reproductive success. Responses to information and communication of information are vital to natural selection and evolution.Describe how either an innate or learned behavior can increase an organism’s survival and/or reproductive fitness.Describe a cooperative behavior that tends to increase the fitness of a local organism and the survival of its anisms use energy to maintain organization, grow, and reproduce.Identify one endothermic organism found in a local ecosystem and describe how it regulates its body temperature and metabolism. Identify one exothermic organism found in a local ecosystem and describe how it regulates its body temperature and metabolism. Identify an local r-selected organism and describe the characteristics of that organism.Identify an local K-selected organism and describe the characteristics of that organism. There is a relationship between metabolic rate per unit body mass and the size of multicellular organismsIndicate a general pattern for an organism’s size and its metabolic rate.Identify one local organism with a fast metabolic rate and one local organism with a slow metabolic rate. Changes in energy availability can result in disruptions to an ecosystem— Describe how sunlight can affect the number and size of organisms on the north versus the south side of a mountainside, or steep canyon. Autotrophs capture energy from physical or chemical sources in the environment—Identify one local photosynthetic organism and describe how it captures energy. Heterotrophs capture energy present in carbon compounds produced by other organisms. Identify one local heterotrophic organism and describe how it captures energy.Explain the process of hydrolysis in metabolizing carbohydrates, lipids, or proteins (you don’t have to refer to any specific organism for this one). Many adaptations in organisms are related to obtaining and using energy and matter in a particular environment— Population growth dynamics depend on a number of factors.Describe a scenario, even if it was for a short time, where a local population has experienced exponential growth (COVID-19 can be used). As limits to growth due to density-dependent and density-independent factors are imposed, a logistic growth model generally ensues.Describe a scenario where a local population has experienced logistic growth. Explain how interactions within and among populations influence community structure.Identify two participants in a competition relationship and describe the specific benefit or detriment, if any, that each participant receives from the relationship.Identify two participants in a predation relationship and describe the specific benefit or detriment, if any, that each participant receives from the relationship.Identify two participants in a parasitism relationship and describe the specific benefit or detriment, if any, that each participant receives from the relationship.Identify two participants in a mutualism relationship and describe the specific benefit or detriment, if any, that each participant receives from the relationship.Identify two participants in a commensalism relationship and describe the specific benefit or detriment, if any, that each participant receives from the relationship.The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the organization of the ecosystem. Identify a keystone species for a local habitat and explain its role.An adaptation is a genetic variation that is favored by selection and is manifested as a trait that provides an advantage to an organism in a particular environment. Identify one adaptation of a local organism and describe how that trait is an advantage in the particular environment that the organism lives. The intentional or unintentional introduction of an invasive species can allow the species to exploit a new niche free of predators or competitors or to outcompete other organisms for resources.Identify one locally invasive species and describe its interactions with other organisms for resources. ................
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