Go Fish!. Why are we doing this activity? The class will be split into two groups. One group will “become” fish. The other group will “become”

Go Fish!

Why are we doing this activity?

The class will be split into two groups. One group will “become” fish. The other group will “become” the resources of

the aquatic habitat. We will use hand gestures to indicate the

different resources of the habitat.

What are we going to do?

Food

Shelter

Space

Mate

At the beginning of each round, each “fish” decides what it will need. At the same time, each “resource of the habitat” decides which resource it will be that round.

Each student will make the appropriate hand gesture.

Choose carefully because you CANNOT change your hand gesture during the round.

How do we “play?”

When you hear, “Go Fish,” everyone will turn around and the “fish” will look for what they “need.” The “resources of the habitat” CANNOT move.

Fish that find what they need, survive to reproduce. (The resources will become a fish for the next round.)

Fish that do not find what they need, will die and their “remains” are recycled by decomposers and become resources of the habitat for the next round.

How do we “win?”

I will keep track of the fish population. Then you will copy the following tables into

your journal. At the end of this activity you will need to

graph your results AND answer the CONCLUSION questions.

DATA

Year Fish Population Size Resources Population Size 123456789

10

1st period

3rd period

Year Fish Population Size Resources Population Size 123456789

10

5th period

Year Fish Population Size Resource Population Size 123456789

10

6th period

Year Fish Population Size Resource Population Size 123456789

10

7th period

Year Fish Population Size Resource Population Size 123456789

10

8th period

Year Fish Population Size Resource Population Size 123456789

10

Explain what this graph is telling you about how the population of fish and the amount of resources interact with each other.

Summary of graph

Competition: two individuals vying(trying to get) for the same resource(s). In direct competition, two organisms come into

direct contact with each other. In indirect competition, the organisms may

never encounter each other but still go after the same resource.

Competition

Limiting factor- any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence of organisms in a specific environment. (keeps the population from increasing) Controls the population Factor is in short supply Any change in the amount of the limiting factor will affect

population. Light, nutrients, food, water, etc.)

Limiting Factors

Carrying Capacity: the maximum population size of a particular species that a given ecosystem can sustain

• sustainable populations live at or below their carrying capacity

Carrying Capacity

1. Identify three essential resources (abiotic/biotic factors) of a habitat.

2. How do these resources influence carrying capacity?

Conclusion Questions

3. Define “limiting factors.”

4. What are some limiting factors that affect the survival of animals?

Limiting Factors

5. How do factors affect competition within a species?

What three things might happen to the less competitive organism?

Competition

move to another area adapt to new survival strategies

die.

6. Are wildlife populations static, or do they tend to fluctuate as part of an overall “balance” of nature?

7. Look at your graph. What factors may have caused population changes from year to year. Identify the specific “years” from your graph in your answer.

8. What are the advantages and limitations of this model?