Name/Period: ______

Studying Ecology: The Tropical Rainforest and the Scientist

If you were to find an area of Earth to study, you would discover that there are many different things that could be researched. If you tried to study them all, it would take a long time to be successful. Scientists have chosen to specialize. Each scientist studies a specific part of the research area. By sharing the information that each discovers, the area becomes better understood than if just one scientist was trying to learn about all of the areas. In this assignment you will research multiple ways that different scientists can investigate the same area. The area you are to investigate is the tropical rainforest.

Your assignment: 1. You will be assigned a scientist to research and complete the tasks described regarding each scientist.

I have been assigned ______.

2. Use a variety of resources to collect data and information on each scientist. 3. Be prepared to share your findings with the class and Mr. Jensen. The written sections may be typed or hand written. A paragraph is five full sentences. Please write the information in your own words and DO NOT CUT AND PASTE/PLAGERIZE or you will receive a zero on the assignment. The maps and any other diagrams need to and clearly labeled or create a key and must have some color (to indicate where and what you will be discussing) to receive full credit. 4. You are welcome to add any material that you believe will explain your scientist’s occupation and the information that they collect (ex: data tables, graphs, charts, example pictures, etc.)

Below is a list of possible scientists and a short description about each. Collect information to determine about their field of study as it relates to the tropical rainforest.

Sociologist - A scientist who studies societies and their culture along with their interactions with their environment. Write three sentences on the role of a socialist and what they do. Research the people living in and around rainforests around the world. Write two paragraphs explaining their life, culture, and employment by researching and discussing the impact both the people and the rainforest have on one another. Use the world map to draw and color the locations of the people that reside in and around rainforests around the world.

Wildlife Biologist – A scientist that collects and analyzes data to explain the effect of the environment on animal populations. Write three sentences on the role of a wildlife biologist and what they do. Write two paragraphs demonstrating a specific example how human population or human interaction has affected the animal and plant population of the tropical rainforest.

Conservation Biologist- A scientist that studies human impact on an ecosystem. Write three sentences on the role of a conservation biologist and what they do. Research and write two paragraphs on an environmental concern of the rainforest, conclude with possible solutions found by conservational biologists to improve an environmental concern of the rainforest. Draw and color a world map to show the location of rainforests of the world and indicate on the map how rainforest sizes are changing over a period time. Cartographer - A scientist that studies and practices the making of maps of terrain. Write three sentences on the role of a cartographer and what they do. Research and color a world map that shows the location of the rainforests of the world. Write two paragraphs that describe the typical rainforest weather, climates, and soil. Explain the terrain of different tropical rainforests and what conditions characterize a rainforest. Describe the different canopy layers of the rainforest.

Zoologist- A scientist that studies the structure, functions, and habits of animals. Write three sentences on the role of a zoologist and what they do. Research and select two animals of the tropical rainforest and write two paragraphs on the characteristics of animal, animal’s behaviors, and the impacts the animals has on other wildlife and its habitat. Be sure to describe the level of the rainforest canopy that is their home. Describe and diagram a typical food chain in the rainforest.

Meteorologist - A scientist who studies the weather and climate of the rainforest. Write three sentences on the role of a meteorologist and what they do. Research and write two paragraphs about the climate of the rainforest. Include in your report temperature and precipitation information. Next, include a graph that shows the yearly change in temperature and a graph that shows the yearly change in precipitation.

Botanist - A scientist that studies the plants. Write three sentences on the role of a botanist and what they do. Research and select four plants of the tropical rainforest and write two paragraphs on the characteristics of the plants and their impact on other wildlife and the plants impact on its habitat. Draw, label, and describe the levels of plant life in each of the tropical rainforest canopy.

Entomologist – A scientist who studies insects and arachnids. Write three sentences on the role of an entomologist and what they do. Research and select two insects of the tropical rainforest and write two paragraphs on the characteristics of insect, insect’s behaviors, and the impacts the insect has on other wildlife and its habitat. Be sure to describe the level of the rainforest canopy that is their home.