Lake Superior's "Island Utopia"

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=56 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="011a0a03.jpg"> <div> Lake Superior's "Island Utopia"</div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=135 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="21fa0c01dduajq.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Educators Science and Math Institute Ser"><U><B>Educators' Science and Math Institute Series</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About the Series"><U><B>About the Series</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Goals"><U><B>Goals</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Institutes"><U><B>Institutes</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="lesson_plans_prepared_by_esmis_participants_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lesson Plans"><U><B>Lesson Plans</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id138.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Albums"><U><B>Photo Albums</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ed.mtu.edu/search.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ed.mtu.edu/search.htm"><U><B>Search</B></U></A><A HREF="http://www.ed.mtu.edu/search.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ed.mtu.edu/search.htm"><U><B> ESMIS</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=424 BGCOLOR="#EEEEEE" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Lake Superior's “Island Utopia”</div> <bR> <div> Prepared by Kevin D. Vance</div> <div> East Grand Rapids Middle School Science Teacher</div> <div> Educators' Science and Mathematics Institute Series</div> <div> Ecology of Isle Royale</div> <div> Summer 2001</div> <bR> <div>      This past summer I was introduced to a very unique piece of Michigan's natural world. This piece of Michigan is home to a distinctive set of both flora and fauna. The interactions between the plants and animals on this piece of Michigan were remarkable to observe and study. This piece also offers a wonderful educational tool that can be used to teach a wide number of scientific topics. This unique piece of Michigan that is nestled in the upper reaches of Lake Superior is known as Isle Royale. Through my participation in the Educator's Science and Mathematics Institute <I>Ecology of Isle Royale</I> class offered through Michigan Technological University, I was able to study and interact with the island and several of its elements. I was able to take an abundance of information away from this journey in the form of knowledge, experiences, pictures, and videos. I plan on using all of what I learned on Isle Royale in my classroom to help benefit my student's learning.  </div> <div> I am a seventh grade science teacher at East Grand Rapids Middle School. I intend to use the knowledge and experiences that I gained on my visit to Isle Royale in my classroom throughout the year. I will incorporate Isle Royale into several of my existing units. In my Geology unit, I plan on using Isle Royale as a specific case study that can be compared to other areas with unique geological structures. We will mainly focus on the geologic history of the island, including how it arose, what affects the glaciers had upon it, and what is in store for it in its geologic future. In my Botany and Biology units, I plan on including some of the plants and animals found on the island in our studies. In my Pollution unit, I plan on once again using Isle Royale as a specific case study to compare to other polluted areas in our state. Many students would think that this pristine wilderness would have little problem with pollution, but several factors such as the close proximity to the industries of Thunder Bay in Canada cause Isle Royale to suffer from a wide variety of pollution problems.     </div> <div> However, my main focus for the year will be to use the information taken from Isle Royale in an introductory Ecology unit. This will allow me to use a real-world example found in Michigan to teach about the interactions in a unique and isolated ecosystem. This unit will take a number of class periods. I will begin by reviewing basic ecology terms including: </div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="529" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="171"><div> Producer</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Herbivore</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Primary Consumer</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="171"><div> Omnivore</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Secondary Consumer</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Niche</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="171"><div> Top Carnivore</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Habitat</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Scavenger</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="171"><div> Food Web</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Decomposer</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Food Chain</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="171"><div> Carnivore</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Competition</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="171" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> This will allow them to refresh their memories so that the learners will have some basic background knowledge about Ecology. After the above terms have been introduced, we will begin our case study on the Isle Royale ecosystem. We will revisit many of the terms found above. To allow the learners an opportunity to begin thinking about food chains and food webs, they will be asked to write a journal about an imaginative scenario involving an island and a group of organisms. They each will be given three index cards with different organisms written on them. They will be asked to identify which is the producer, which is the primary consumer, and which is the secondary consumer (or top carnivore). Thus, they will have created a simple food chain. They will then receive a fourth index card that will have a specific ecological scenario or impact on it. The following scenarios are possible examples:</div> <div> Disease outbreak affecting a specific species</div> <div> Low winter yield causing a food drought</div> <div> Severely cold winter</div> <div> Introduced exotic species</div> <div> Large scale forest fire</div> <div> High rise condos built in wilderness area</div> <div> Landfill established </div> <bR> <div> They will then need to explain in their journal what will happen to the organisms in the ecosystem due to the ecological impact. They must explain how each specific organism will be affected. This will allow them to see how one change can alter the entire food chain, directly or indirectly. They will be given a few minutes to write and then a few moments to share their journal responses with the rest of the class. It will not be discussed whether their answers are right or wrong. </div> <div> Following this introduction, a teacher-led <I>Powerpoint</I> presentation will be given. This presentation will give an overview of the Isle Royale ecosystem and will include information on geography, climate, flora, and fauna. The major players in the Isle Royale ecosystem will be focused on and a discussion on their habitats and niches will commence. Special attention will also be given to the interactions between the trees, plants, and animals in the park. The <I>Powerpoint</I> presentation will utilize data, photos, and video taken directly from the island by myself and other participants in the ESMIS workshop. We will discuss producers, consumers, decomposers, and top-carnivores. We will also begin to develop an Isle Royale food chain and food web in our minds. As we work through the <I>Powerpoint</I>, students will fill in a worksheet focusing on each organism's niche and habitat. Major areas to be focused on will include:</div> <bR> <div> Carnivores of Isle Royale:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="529" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 40 ><NOBR><div> Gray (Timber Wolf)</div> <div> Short-tailed weasel</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Red Fox</div> <div> Mink</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Marten</div> <div> River Otter</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Herbivores of Isle Royale:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="381" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 83 WIDTH="171"><div> Red Squirrel</div> <div> Deer Mouse</div> <div> Muskrat</div> <div> Snowshoe Hare</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Beaver</div> <div> Southern Red-Backed Vole</div> <div> Norway Rat</div> <div> Moose</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  </div> <div> Birds of Isle Royale: (over 240 species)</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="554" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 83 WIDTH="171"><div> Common Loon</div> <div> Osprey</div> <div> Goldeneye</div> <div> Hermit Thrush</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Red-breasted Merganser</div> <div> Double Crested Cormorant</div> <div> Pileated Woodpecker</div> <div> White-throated Sparrow</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Bald Eagle</div> <div> American Kestrel</div> <div> Winter Wren</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Bats of Isle Royale:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="353" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 40 WIDTH="171"><div> Big Brown Bat</div> <div> Northern Myotis</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Little brown Myotis</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Other Animals of Isle Royale:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="529" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 104 WIDTH="171"><div> Turtles</div> <div> Snakes</div> <div> Yellow Perch</div> <div> Mosquito</div> <div> Dragonfly</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Frogs</div> <div> Lake Trout</div> <div> Northern Pike</div> <div> Black Fly</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Salamanders</div> <div> Salmon</div> <div> Walleye</div> <div> Butterfly</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> Animals missing from Isle Royale:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="529" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 40 WIDTH="171"><div> Caribou</div> <div> Coyote</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Bear</div> <div> Lynx</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> White-tailed Deer</div> <div> Porcupine</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> We will discuss reasons why the above animals do not live on Isle Royale. Some have been introduced, without success, some made it over to the island on their own but did not survive, and some have simply never have been on the island at all. </div> <bR> <div> Trees and Plants of Isle Royale:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="529" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 62 WIDTH="171"><div> Aspen</div> <div> Balsam Fir</div> <div> Thistle</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Birch</div> <div> Lady Slippers</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="171"><div> Sugar Maple</div> <div> Columbine</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> After the major components of the Isle Royale ecosystem have been introduced, I will have the students work in groups and attempt to develop a few Isle Royale food chains and a detailed Isle Royale food web. I will then ask the students what major player have we left out of the Isle Royale ecosystem - <I>Homo sapiens</I>. This will spur on a discussion about the possible effects that humans could have upon the island communities. </div> <div> After we have finished discussing food chains and food webs on Isle Royale we will focus in on a few specific interactions including the relationships between moose, wolves, and balsam fir trees. The learners will work in great detail with these organisms in order to better understand population dynamics in an isolated ecosystem. The students will be given graph paper, colored pencils, a ruler, and a data chart. This data chart will show moose and wolf population estimates as well as estimated balsam fir growth rates on Isle Royale from 1960 to 2001. They will need to create a graph from the data chart </div> <div> that they will receive. Each organism will be charted on the line graph with a different color and the students will have to work on developing a scale that will allow them to best demonstrate the data. Three separate scales will most likely have to be used. The learners will then use their newly created graph to answer various questions, make interpretations, and formulate predictions about the organisms focused on. They will also be asked to make suggestions for ecological management given possible ecological scenarios. The following data chart will be given to the students:</div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="516" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 39 WIDTH="86"><div> <B>Year</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> <B>Moose</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> <B>Wolves</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> <B>Balsam Fir Growth Rates (estimates)</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1960</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 637</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 22</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1961</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 639</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 22</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1962</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 668</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 23</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1963</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 717</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 20</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Below Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1964</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 727</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 26</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1965</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 773</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 28</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Above average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1966</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 898</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 26</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Above average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1967</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1039</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 22</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> High</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1968</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1299</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 22</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1969</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1348</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 17</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1970</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1522</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 18</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Low</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1971</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1583</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 20</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Low</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1972</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1507</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 23</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Below Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1973</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1634</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 24</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Low</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1974</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1478</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 31</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Below Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1975</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1462</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 41</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Low </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1976</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1277</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 44</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Low</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1977</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1055</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 34</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Very Low</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1978</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1072</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 40</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Low</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1979</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 939</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 43</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Low</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1980</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 861</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 50</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1981</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 797</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 30</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1982</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 765</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 14</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1983</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 783</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 23</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Very high</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1984</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 813</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 24</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Very high</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1985</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 968?</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 22?</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Very high</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1986</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1025</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 20</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Very high</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1987</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1380</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 16</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Very high</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1988</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1653</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 12</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1989</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1397</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 12</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Below Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1990</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1216</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 15</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1991</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1313</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 12</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> High</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1992</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1590</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 12</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Below Average </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1993</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1879</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 13</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1994</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1770</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 17</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1995</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 2422</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 17</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Below Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1996</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 1163</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 22</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Below Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1997</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 500</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 24</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1998</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 699</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 14</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 1999</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 750</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 25</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 2000</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 850</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 29</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="86"><div> 2001</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="73"><div> 900</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="94"><div> 19</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="238"><div> Average</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> After they have completed their line graph, they will need to work on the following set of questions: </div> <bR> <div> In what years did the wolf and moose populations peak?</div> <div> When were wolf and moose numbers the highest?</div> <div> Do you notice any pattern between moose and wolf population numbers?</div> <div> What relationship is there between moose population numbers and balsam fir growth rates?</div> <div> As the moose population rises, what happens to the wolf population?</div> <div> What could have happened to the wolf population in 1981 and 1982?</div> <div> What could have happened to the moose population in 1996 and 1997? Why wasn't the wolf population also affected?</div> <div> What long-term effects could a large moose die-off have on the wolf population? </div> <div> What will happen to the ecosystem if the moose population becomes too numerous?</div> <div> What could possibly occur if wolf numbers rose drastically? </div> <div> How many wolves do you think will be living on Isle Royale 5 years from now?</div> <div> Consider that the wolf numbers continue to decline so that they eventually become extinct. If this occurs, should wolves be reintroduced into the Isle Royale ecosystem?</div> <bR> <div> We will then spend sufficient time discussing the answers to the questions found above. Following this activity, we will then pull out our introductory journal assignment and revisit a few of the ecological scenarios that were discussed. The students will be allowed to alter their answers and we will discuss in detail what was right and what was wrong with their initial predictions. </div> <div> The final piece of the unit will incorporate everything learned thus far into a project where they will have to study a local ecosystem in great depth. This will allow them to work on a specific case study that is very familiar to them. Possible areas of study could include the learner's backyard, a nearby lake or pond, a forest area, etc. They will have to visit their chosen area and develop an idea of all possible players, biotic and abiotic, in the ecosystem. They will be able to borrow field guides to help them identify various flora and fauna found in their ecosystem. After they have developed a list of organisms that live in their ecosystem they will need to identify which organisms are producers, consumers, decomposers, scavengers, etc. They will also have to develop a food web that includes all organisms found in the ecosystem and shows how they interact with each other. The learners must use this information to develop a final project that will allow them to share their findings. The project will be in a format of their choice (video, poster, <I>Powerpoint</I> presentation, etc.). They must also include three potential ecological impacts that could occur within their ecosystem, what effects these impacts could have, and possible solutions to dealing with these problems. </div> <div> Throughout this unit, several standards will be addressed including:</div> <bR> <div> Explain how parts of an ecosystem are related and how they interact.</div> <div> Describe common ecological relationships among species.</div> <div> Explain how energy flows through ecosystems.</div> <div> Explain the effects of human activities on ecosystems.</div> <div> Investigate and explain how communities of living things change over time.</div> <div> Explore population change through graphs and data analysis. </div> <bR> <div> The various activities done in this unit will allow the learners to develop a better understanding of ecological issues. They will study a specific case study found in Michigan as a class and then will branch off and study a local ecosystem to see that the same occurrences happen in their backyards. Allowing them to work on a local ecosystem will have a lot more meaning to them. However, the heart and soul of this unit will be the Isle Royale ecosystem. Due to its uniqueness as an isolated ecosystem with populations of distinctive organisms, Isle Royale allows for a wonderful teaching and learning tool. </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="predator_vs__prey_worksheet.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Flora and Fauna of Isle Royale"><U><B>Flora and Fauna of Isle Royale</B></U></A></div> <div> Predator Vs. Prey Worksheet</div> <div> <A HREF="food_web_worksheet.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Isle Royale Food Web Questions"><U><B>Isle Royale Food Web Questions</B></U></A></div> <div> Food Web Worksheet</div> <div> <A HREF="a_study_of_population_change.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Moose and Wolves of Isle Royale"><U><B>The Moose and Wolves of Isle Royale</B></U></A></div> <div> A study of population change</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>References</U></B></div> <div> DuFresne, Jim.  <I>Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails and Water Routes</I>. Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers, 1991.</div> <bR> <div> Huber, N. King: <I>The Geological Story of Isle Royale</I>. Marquette, MI: Avery Color Studios, 1996.</div> <bR> <div> Peterson, Rolf O. <I>The Wolves of Isle Royale: A Broken Balance</I>. Minocqua, WI: Willow Creek Press, 1995.</div> <bR> <div> Peterson, Rolf O. and John A. Vucetich: <I>Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale-2000-2001</I>. Houghton, MI: Michigan Technological University, 2001.</div> <bR> <div> Shelton, Napier: <I>Superior Wilderness</I>. Houghton, MI: Isle Royale Natural History Association, 1997.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>