Generous support for this project comes from Lynette and Richard Jaffe, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, the National Science Foundation (Grant No. OCE-0119976), Colina Imperial Insurance Ltd., and the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation. Managing Editor Meg Domroese Writers and Editors Meg Domroese, Christine Engels, Monique Sweeting, Lynn Gape Design and Illustration James Lui Science Education Advisors Ronique Curry, Garvin Tynes Primary School Barbara Dorsett,Thelma Gibson School Sheriece Lightbourne-Edwards, St. Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School Joan Knowles, Carlton Francis Primary School Dorothy M. Rolle, Ridgeland Primary School Portia Sweeting, Primary Science Education Coordinator, Ministry of Education,Youth,Sports and Culture Beverly J.T.Taylor, Assistant Director of Education, Ministry of Education,Youth,Sports and Culture Project Partners Bahamas National Trust Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Ministry of Education,Youth,Sports The Retreat,Village Road American Museum of Natural History and Culture P.O. Box N-4105 Central Park West at 79th Street Thompson Boulevard Nassau,The Bahamas New York,NY 10024 USA P.O. Box N-3913 242-393-1317 212-769-5742 Nassau,The Bahamas 242-393-4978 (fax) 212-769-5292 (fax) 242-322-8140 www.thebahamasnationaltrust.org cbc.amnh.org 242-323-8491 (fax) [email protected] [email protected] Copyright © 2007 Bahamas National Trust and American Museum of Natural History. Information in this publication may be reproduced for non-commercial, educational purposes, providing credit is given to the original work. For any other purposes, prior permission is required. ISBN 978-0-913424-59-9 Listing of publications or other resources does not imply endorsement by the Bahamas National Trust, the American Museum of Natural History, or the Ministry of Education,Youth,Sports and Culture. Printed on 100% post-consumer fiber recycled paper.This means it came from paper used and recycled by people, and not from virgin timber. Our Bahamian Marine Resources An Educator’s Guide to Teaching Marine Biodiversity ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Reviewers We are grateful to our Science Education Advisors for their integral role in the development of this book, including review and lively discussion of activities, and participation in workshops over the course of the project: Ronique Curry, Barbara Dorsett, Sheriece Lightbourne-Edwards, Joan Knowles, Dorothy M. Rolle, Portia Sweeting, and Beverly J.T.Taylor. In addition to the Science Education Advisors, the following participated in a March 2006 prototype review workshop in Nassau: Janeen Bullard, Dolphin Encounters - Project B.E.A.C.H. Charlene Carey, St. John’s College Lester Gittens, Department of Marine Resources Candace Key, Hope Town School Berkley King, Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission Casuarina McKinney, Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation Stacey Moultrie, Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission Eleanor Phillips, The Nature Conservancy Jim Richard, Forest Heights Academy, Friends of the Environment Sally Varani-Jones, St. Andrew’s School, Oceanwatch American Museum of Natural History staff provided invaluable suggestions, some patiently reviewing numerous drafts.We are grateful to: Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Daniel Brumbaugh, Katherine Holmes, Jennifer Stenzel, Eleanor Sterling Education Roberta Altman, Lisa Breslof, Rebecca Cheeks, Jane Kloecker, and other staff members of the Science and Nature Program for Young Children The work of the Bahamas Biocomplexity Project was a major impetus for this project and we acknowledge the contribution of their ideas to this book. Several BBP collaborators were especially helpful with advice and reviews: Daniel Brumbaugh, BBP Principal Investigator, American Museum of Natural History Katherine Holmes, BBP Coordinator, American Museum of Natural History Alastair Harbourne, Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, University of Exeter Carrie Kappel, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis Kenny Broad, The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami Many thanks to additional reviewers whose expertise on content and methods contributed to significant improvements in the final product: Sonia Bejarano Chavarro, Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, University of Exeter Charlene Carey, Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation John Cigliano, Cedar Crest College, Pennsylvania Sharon Katz Cooper, Joint Oceanographic Institutions Jacky Farrell, Marine Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, New York Karla Ferraro, NYSMEA, I.S. 234/Cunningham Junior High School, New York Lester Gittens, Bahamas Department of Marine Resources Susan Jacobson, University of Florida Merryl Kafka, New York Aquarium,Wildlife Conservation Society Michael Matarasso, Conservation International Dale Stanley, Nassau Community College Other Contributors Numerous people helped with writing, research, and editing, in particular we thank Kacie Rice, Julie Pomerantz, Michael Ackil, Terry Dickert, John Stapleton, Kaity Tsui, Shenique Albury, and Casuarina McKinney.Thanks to the participants who tested activities in the August 2006 BREEF workshop.We also acknowledge our colleagues of the former Education Department of World Wildlife Fund-U.S. whose excellent publications provided us with inspiration and numerous exemplary activity ideas for this book. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction An Overview of Treasures in the Sea .................................................................1 Background Information for Educators An Introduction to The Bahamas’ Marine Treasures ........................................2 Queen Conch Fact Sheet..............................................................................16 Crawfish Fact Sheet ......................................................................................18 Nassau Grouper Fact Sheet ...........................................................................20 Activities An Introduction to the Activities ..................................................................22 Assessing Student Learning............................................................................23 Section 1 Treasure Trove Bahamian Marine Environment and Resources 1. All the World’s a Web...........................................................26 2. Sea for Yourself ....................................................................30 3. Services on Stage.................................................................38 Section 2 More than Meets the Eye Understanding Form and Function 1. Conch Ain’t Gat No Bone! .................................................44 2. Crawfish Critters .................................................................50 3. Grouper MISSING..............................................................58 4. Pass the Part.........................................................................66 Section 3 Growing Up in the Ocean Learning about Life Cycles 1. Conch Life Cycle Wheel.....................................................74 2. Crawfish Mobile..................................................................80 3. Grouper Race for Survival...................................................84 4. Complete CYCLE ..............................................................88 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 4 The “X” Marks the Spot Marine Habitats 1. Home Sweet Habitat ...........................................................94 2. Real Estate for Royalty .....................................................100 3.Where the Wild Fish Are...................................................104 Section 5 We’re All in this Together Marine Interdependence 1. Friend or Anemone?.........................................................116 2.What Eats What.................................................................122 Section 6 What Is Our Treasure Worth? Exploring Economic and Cultural Values 1.What Is Marine Biodiversity Worth to You?.......................128 2. How Many Fish Are We Catching?...................................134 3. Ezra Goes Fishing .............................................................142 4.Wish You Were Here!.........................................................146 5.Working in the Marine Environment ................................150 Section 7 Taking Care of Our Treasures Conservation in The Bahamas 1. Fishing versus Overfishing.................................................158 2. To Protect or Not To Protect............................................164 3. Pollution Solution.............................................................172 4. Take Action for Our Oceans!............................................178 Appendices A. Overview of Activities ...........................................................................186 B. Skills Framework ....................................................................................191 C. Taking Your Class Outside......................................................................192 D. Cooperative Learning Activities .............................................................194 E. Glossary..................................................................................................195 F. Suggested Resources ..............................................................................198 G. Feedback Form ......................................................................................207 An Overview of Treasures in the Sea reasures in the Sea: Our Bahamian Marine Resources Introductory