Think of a marine organism you’d like to learn a little more about that can serve as a primary food source in your food web.
Next, identify the other participants in the food web:
Producers: These will likely be plankton, but do some research on your marine organism to be sure.
Consumers: The primary consumer will be the organism you chose as the primary food source. Identify at least TWO other consumers that would eat the organism you chose.
Decomposers: These will likely be bacteria, but do some research on your marine organism to find out what kinds of decomposers would be in its food web.
I would like to learn more about the Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus) as a primary food source in the food web.
Producers: The primary producers in the food web could be phytoplankton, such as diatoms and dinoflagellates, which are key sources of energy for the Pacific mackerel.
Consumers: The primary consumer in this food web is the Pacific mackerel. Two other consumers that would eat the Pacific mackerel are the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), as they are known to feed on mackerel.
Decomposers: In the food web of the Pacific mackerel, decomposers would likely include bacteria, such as Vibrio species, that break down organic matter and release nutrients back into the ecosystem. Additionally, other decomposers like marine worms, crustaceans, and scavenging fish may contribute to the decomposition process.
try doing one on phytoplanton!
Sure! Let's focus on phytoplankton as the primary food source in the food web.
Primary organism: Phytoplankton are microscopic marine plants that convert sunlight and nutrients into organic matter through photosynthesis.
Producers: Phytoplankton themselves are the primary producers in the food web. They include various types of organisms such as diatoms, dinoflagellates, and cyanobacteria.
Consumers: The primary consumer of phytoplankton can be zooplankton, which includes tiny animals such as copepods, krill, and jellyfish. They feed on phytoplankton to obtain energy and nutrients. Additionally, small fish like anchovies and herring also consume phytoplankton as part of their diet.
Decomposers: Decomposers in the food web of phytoplankton can include bacteria, such as species from the genera Vibrio and Pseudomonas, that break down organic matter and recycle nutrients in the water column. Other decomposers like fungi and protists may also play a role in decomposing dead phytoplankton cells.
Now, imagine that you are conducting a short-term study to analyze the interrelationships among the organism you chose (the primary consumer) and the producers, other consumers, and decomposers in the aquatic ecosystem in which your organism lives.
Imagine that your research is complete, and think about the presentation of your data that tracks the fluctuation of your chosen organism’s population over time. Remember that the data you “collect” will be a count of your chosen organism’s population in a certain ecosystem over a given short time frame (a few months to a year).
Will the population increase in the summer or decrease over the course of a year, for example? You may make up the data here or find actual data online.
If you do decide to look for actual population data, keep in mind that you will be synthesizing information from a range of sources. For example, if we stick with our sample krill organism, you might find one source that only tells you that the krill population decreases in the winter. Then, you might find another source that tells you by how much the population decreases.
As you look at different sources, you’ll have to synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of the issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task. You can do this by keeping notes on what each source says. Maybe you add in the information from each new source in a new color so that you will always know what information comes from which source. If there are discrepancies you cannot resolve yourself, use your best judgement, or ask your teacher for help.
Whether you create the sample data or find real data online, make sure your data includes these details:
The time frame in which you “collected” data (e.g., once a month for a year, twice a week for three months, etc.)
The population counts at each point that you counted (or found real data for)
For the purpose of this study, let's consider the Pacific mackerel as the primary consumer in the food web and focus on analyzing its population fluctuation over a one-year time frame.
Data Collection:
Time Frame: Once a month for a year (12 data points)
Population counts at each point:
January: 500 individuals
February: 550 individuals
March: 600 individuals
April: 650 individuals
May: 700 individuals
June: 800 individuals
July: 900 individuals
August: 1000 individuals
September: 950 individuals
October: 900 individuals
November: 800 individuals
December: 700 individuals
Data Analysis:
From the collected data, it appears that the population of Pacific mackerel increases during the summer months, with a peak in August, and then gradually decreases towards the end of the year. This trend suggests that environmental conditions during the summer months, such as higher water temperatures and increased availability of prey (phytoplankton and other small fish), favor the growth and reproduction of the Pacific mackerel population. However, during the colder months, factors like reduced food availability and migration patterns of the Pacific mackerel might contribute to the decline in population numbers.
It is important to note that this data is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect actual population trends of Pacific mackerel. To obtain accurate population data, one would need to conduct scientific surveys or consult existing research studies specific to the region and time frame in question.
I gave you the wrong one, let retell it again.
Now, imagine that you are conducting a short-term study to analyze the interrelationships among the organism you chose (the primary consumer) and the producers, other consumers, and decomposers in the aquatic ecosystem in which your organism lives.
Imagine that your research is complete, and think about the presentation of your data that tracks the fluctuation of your chosen organism’s population over time. Remember that the data you “collect” will be a count of your chosen organism’s population in a certain ecosystem over a given short time frame (a few months to a year).
Will the population increase in the summer or decrease over the course of a year, for example? You may make up the data here or find actual data online.
If you do decide to look for actual population data, keep in mind that you will be synthesizing information from a range of sources. For example, if we stick with our sample krill organism, you might find one source that only tells you that the krill population decreases in the winter. Then, you might find another source that tells you by how much the population decreases.
Certainly! Let's imagine we are conducting a short-term study on the interrelationships among the Pacific mackerel (primary consumer), phytoplankton (producers), other consumers, and decomposers in its aquatic ecosystem.
Data Collection:
Time Frame: Once a month for a year (12 data points)
Population counts at each point:
January: 1000 individuals
February: 1100 individuals
March: 1200 individuals
April: 1300 individuals
May: 1400 individuals
June: 1600 individuals
July: 1800 individuals
August: 2000 individuals
September: 1800 individuals
October: 1600 individuals
November: 1400 individuals
December: 1200 individuals
Data Analysis:
Based on the collected data, the population of Pacific mackerel fluctuates over the course of a year. The data suggests that the population increases from January to August, reaching a peak in August. This increase in population can be attributed to factors such as favorable environmental conditions, including increased availability of prey (phytoplankton) during the summer months.
However, starting from September, the population begins to decrease gradually. This decline in population may be influenced by various factors such as changing environmental conditions, seasonal migrations, and reduced food availability during the colder months. By December, the Pacific mackerel population has returned to a similar level as in the beginning of the year.
Again, please note that this data is fictional and used for illustrative purposes only. Actual population trends of Pacific mackerel would require rigorous scientific surveys and analysis within specific regions and time frames.
Describe the data. Do you see any patterns or trends?
Certainly! When analyzing the data on the population of the Pacific mackerel over the course of a year, we can observe the following patterns and trends:
1. Seasonal Fluctuations: The population of Pacific mackerel shows distinct seasonal fluctuations. It initially starts at 1000 individuals in January and gradually increases through the months, reaching a peak of 2000 individuals in August. Following August, the population starts to decline, and by December, it has returned to the initial level.
2. Summer Increase: The population of Pacific mackerel consistently increases from January to August, with a steep rise in the summer months. This trend suggests that the environmental conditions during summer, such as warmer water temperatures and increased availability of prey (phytoplankton), favor the growth and reproduction of Pacific mackerel, leading to a higher population density.
3. Winter Decrease: From September onwards, the population of Pacific mackerel begins to decrease. This decline might be attributed to various factors such as changing environmental conditions, reduced food availability, and potential migration patterns. By December, the population has decreased back to a level similar to the beginning of the year.
Overall, the data indicates a cyclic pattern of population dynamics for the Pacific mackerel, with an increase in the summer months and a decrease in the winter months. These fluctuations are likely influenced by seasonal environmental variations, availability of resources, and life history characteristics of the Pacific mackerel.