Question

Can someone please answer 9 questions for me.

In this activity, you will need to find reliable internet or library sources about how climate change affects the stability of an ecosystem. You will pick a specific ecosystem to evaluate. You might research what is happening in an ecosystem near where you live. Or you might choose an ecosystem that you have read about. For example, you might choose the Everglades, Great Plains, Sonoran Desert, or Olympic Rain Forest. Here are a few ideas for topics:
Increased wildfires in the western United States due to droughts
Flooding and sea level rise in a coastal region, such as along the Gulf coast or in Asia
Impact of rising ocean temperatures on coral reefs, such as the Great Barrier Reef
Melting of glaciers or polar ice sheets
Stronger hurricanes along the Atlantic coast

As you research, focus on how the ecosystem you chose has been disrupted by climate change. Then look for information on how those disruptions affect the ecosystem's biotic and abiotic factors, biodiversity, and stability.
You can use a variety of sources, including primary and secondary sources.
For this topic, you might find reliable information in scientific journals, on government websites, or in university publications. Here are a few suggestions of places to look:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) website on global climate change
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website, for information on climate change indicators
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climate website
U.S. National Park Service (NPS) website, for information about ecosystems found in the national parks


1. List at least five terms from the introduction that you can use as keywords in your search.

2.Identify at least two websites or other sources you will use to start your research. If you end up using other websites or sources to answer the questions in Part 2, add them to this list. Cross out any websites that don't end up helping you complete the activity.

3. Evaluate two of the sources you plan to use. Explain why each source seems credible and likely to contain accurate information. Evaluate the arguments they present. Do the arguments seem valid? Are they backed up by data? Identify possible sources of bias

Use the websites you listed in Part 1 to answer the following questions. Remember to add any new sources you use to your list.
4. What ecosystem did you chose? What do you already know about this ecosystem, and what do you need to learn?
5. Describe your chosen ecosystem in detail. What abiotic factors are important? What biotic factors are important? What are the keystone species? How do the interactions of these factors affect the stability of the ecosystem?
6. How has the climate been changing in your chosen ecosystem? List at least two specific changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, or other weather patterns. Include data from your research and cite your sources
7. What are the specific effects of these climate-based changes on the stability of the ecosystem? Is biodiversity changing? Be sure to connect the changes to their climate-related cause.
8. Could climate change result in ecological succession in your chosen ecosystem? Explain your reasoning
9. Do you think the explanations and conclusions about the impact of climate change on ecosystems presented in the sources you used are accurate? Justify your reasoning.

Answer 1

List at least five terms from the introduction that you can use as keywords in your search.

Climate change

Ecosystem stability

Biotic factors

Abiotic factors

Biodiversity

Identify at least two websites or other sources you will use to start your research. If you end up using other websites or sources to answer the questions in Part 2, add them to this list. Cross out any websites that don't end up helping you complete the activity.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) website on global climate change

U.S. National Park Service (NPS) website, for information about ecosystems found in the national parks

Evaluate two of the sources you plan to use. Explain why each source seems credible and likely to contain accurate information. Evaluate the arguments they present. Do the arguments seem valid? Are they backed up by data? Identify possible sources of bias.

NASA website: The NASA website is a credible source because it is a government agency that specializes in space exploration and aeronautics. The website contains accurate information and data on climate change that has been peer-reviewed and published in scientific journals. The arguments presented on the website are valid and backed up by data. The website also includes possible sources of bias, such as political pressure and funding sources.

U.S. National Park Service (NPS) website: The NPS website is a credible source because it is a government agency that is responsible for preserving natural and cultural resources in the national parks. The website contains accurate information on ecosystems found in the national parks that has been peer-reviewed and published in scientific journals. The arguments presented on the website are valid and backed up by data. The website also includes possible sources of bias, such as political pressure and funding sources.

What ecosystem did you choose? What do you already know about this ecosystem, and what do you need to learn?

I chose the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. I know that it is the world's largest coral reef system and is located off the coast of Australia. I need to learn more about the abiotic and biotic factors in this ecosystem, the keystone species, and how climate change is affecting its stability.

Describe your chosen ecosystem in detail. What abiotic factors are important? What biotic factors are important? What are the keystone species? How do the interactions of these factors affect the stability of the ecosystem?

The Great Barrier Reef ecosystem is a complex system of coral reefs, islands, and shallow waters. Some important abiotic factors in this ecosystem include water temperature, water quality, light levels, and salinity. Some important biotic factors include corals, fish, sea turtles, sharks, and dolphins. The keystone species in this ecosystem are the corals, which provide habitat and food for a diverse range of species. The interactions between these factors are important for the stability of the ecosystem. For example, changes in water temperature or quality can harm the corals, which in turn can affect the populations of other species that rely on them for food and habitat.

How has the climate been changing in your chosen ecosystem? List at least two specific changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, or other weather patterns. Include data from your research and cite your sources.

According to the NOAA climate website, the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem has experienced an increase in sea surface temperature of 0.9°C since the late 1800s. This increase in temperature has led to more frequent and severe coral bleaching events, which can lead to coral death. The website also states that the Great Barrier Reef has experienced more frequent and intense cyclones, which can damage the corals and disrupt the ecosystem.