Student Exploration: Coral Reefs 2 – Biotic Factors
[This lesson was designed as a follow-up to the Coral Reefs 1 – Abiotic Factors lesson.
Students should complete that activity before trying this one.]
Vocabulary (refer to vocab file located on the Gizmo site for definitions): biotic facto...
Student Exploration: Coral Reefs 2 – Biotic Factors
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
[Note to teachers and students: This lesson was designed as a follow-up to the Coral Reefs 1 – Abiotic Factors
lesson. We recommend doing that activity before trying this one.]
Vocabulary: biotic factor, black band disease, invasive species, white band disease
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew left a wake of destruction through Florida. One victim of the
storm was a reptile-breeding facility. Over 900 Burmese pythons were set free, and today
thousands of pythons live in Florida. These pythons are an invasive species, or a harmful
species not native to the region.
1. What impacts do you think the Burmese pythons might have on local ecosystems?
I think that they will affect the ecosystems because I think it will eat everything or bite?
Also,The Burmese python has harmed the ecosystem in the Florida Everglades by preying
on many native species such as small mammals, alligators and even deer.
2. In general, why might ecologists be concerned when new invasive species arrive in an ecosystem?
Ecologists are deeply concerned when there are invasive species in an
ecosystem because they have the ability to colonize that particular
ecosystem, disrupting its normal routine or functions.
Gizmo Warm-up
Like terrestrial environments, coral reefs can be damaged by invasive
species. Reefs are also impacted by disease-causing bacteria, humans, and
other biotic factors, or living parts of the ecosystem. In the Coral Reefs 2 –
Biotic Factors lesson, you will explore how these factors affect coral reefs.
1. On the CONDITIONS tab, select Fishing. Set Net fishing to 50%. Click Advance year 10 times. What
changes do you notice on the Coral reef t ab?
It went from lots of different fish and even a turtle to only one fish. The diversity and
population size drastically changed. There was also some change with the plants/coral
but not much.
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