Ecological Hierarchy Essay

INTRODUCTION The four learning goals for this lab are:

1. Each student will examine the individual level of the ecological hierarchy.

2. Each student will complete an online survey (www.myfootprint.org) that estimates the impact that his/her lifestyle choices (“ecological footprint”) will have on other organisms.

3. Each student will survey at least 10 other people before deciding how much individual(s) can impact other areas of Ecology.

4. Each student will use the scientific method and at least 3+ scientific resources (cited in-text and using proper MLA in the “Works Cited”) to complete and turn in this laboratory exercise by the class due date.

HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this lab is to complete the four learning goals. The first learning

This hierarchy consists of different levels starting from individuals and ending with the biosphere. The hierarchy consists of these levels starting from the bottom: individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere. The individual level consists of the individual organisms and it examines how one organism interacts with the environment around it. A group of similar organisms make up the next level, population. A population is a group of similar organisms living in a specific geological location. Now when you add another species into the mix, you are moving to the next level which is a community. A community focuses on the different relationships that develop between the different species, such as a predator and prey relationship. When you add abiotic factors to a community you have created an ecosystem. An ecosystem focuses on how the biotic and abiotic factors interact. Finally the last level is the biosphere; the biosphere simply represents everything on earth. The hierarchy is important because it helps us to understand the world around us and how affecting one part of the hierarchy affects the whole

“The scientific method is the best way yet discovered for winnowing the truth from lies and delusion” (Wudka). The scientific method is comprised of about six steps, depending on which variation you use. The first step of the scientific method is to make an observation(s). After you have made your observations you move onto the next step which is to ask questions about the observations and gather information. The third step of the scientific method is to form a hypothesis. Once you have formed your hypothesis you can test your hypothesis and make predictions. From there you analyze the results of the experiment that has been performed and accept or reject your hypothesis. The last step is to “reproduce the experiment until there are no discrepancies between observation and theory” (Bradford). The scientific method is important to know and understand because it is a basis in any science class or field of science, in addition, everyone should know this in order to understand the science in the world around