Suggested Student Investigations
Here are some suggested activities to do as further investigations related to this topic.
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Investigate the Endangered Species Act or laws affecting endangered species and their habitats in your state. Are they working? What changes would you suggest?
- Develop rules or a "code of ethics" for recreational activities that can injure or bother wildlife.
- Investigate various ways humans manipulate water supplies (rivers, lakes, recreational use, agriculture, building dams, wetland destruction, aquifer depletion) and how these affect endangered species.
- Research how agriculture affects endangered species. (pesticides, monoculture use of land, effects on natural food sources and animal homes)
- Research what animals and plants exist in the ecosystem of an endangered species in your state. Draw and label a diagram showing the types of dependent relationships that exist in this animals environment.
- Research population statistics for some of the endangered species in your state. Make graphs which help show a species decline on paper or by using a computer spread sheet program.
- Take a class field trip or visit on your own a nature reserve. Find out about what animals and plants are found there. What is being done in this area to help protect and restore the endangered animals found there?
- Find out about possible career opportunities in the areas of animal and environmental conservation. What government or private agencies exist -- and what are the educational requirements to work for them.
- Investigate pesticides and other pollutants (DDT and Bald Eagles, effects on reproduction, egg shells, balance with agriculture)
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