Lesson: Tracking Marine Animals—Species
Research, Migration Mapping, and Ecosystem
Dioramas
Objectives
ü Describe the habitat and behaviors of a particularmarine animal species.
ü Explain that marine animals live in all of the oceans of
the world and migrate in search of food and appropriate
breeding grounds throughout the year.
ü Understand that scientists are interested in tracking themovements of marine animals so that they can study theeffects of environmental changes on their behavior.
ü Plot the locations of animals on a map based on satellite
tracking data.

Credit: Mike DanzenbakerCredit: Catherine McClellan,
Duke Marine Laboratory

Credit: USGSS-1

Research Paper

Our group’s species is: _______________________________________________________

Use the Signals of Spring - ACES website to learn about your animal and collect information foryour research paper. Take notes about your animal in your own words.

The checklist below will help you to gather all of the necessary information for your paper.
Common and scientific name of the species
Where the animal can be foundSize and physical description of the animalFeeding behaviors and predator/prey relationships (What does the animal eat? Whatother animals eat your animal?)
The features of the animal’s ecosystem—including living and nonliving things
When and where does breeding takes place and how young animals survive.
Human or environmental threats to the species
Any other interesting or unusual information about your animal
The migration patterns and routes of your animal if applicable.

Divide the research within your group and prepare a paper that should be no more than four typed
pages. Be sure to include a cover page and bibliography.

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Tracking Marine Animals on World Map

Go to the Signals of Spring - ACES
website and view the map of youranimal species. To do this, click on“Maps and Data”, “Marine Species”,
and then on the animal. Choose one
individual animal that you will track.
Update the class map with youranimal’s track, including at least two
points per month, using push pins andyarn. Also trace your animal’s routeon your small world map. Include thismap in your research report.
Once you have finished tracking youranimal, answer the questions below.
1. How far did the animal travel during the time your group was tracking it?

2. Near what political features (countries, states, islands, etc.) did your animal travel?

3. What questions do you have about the animal’s movements?

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Marine Species & Ecosystem Diorama
You will create a diorama that shows your animal and its ecosystem and then present yourfindings to the class. Use the following checklist to make sure you have everything.
ü Your diorama must include a representation of your marine animal species.
ü You must include the ecosystem of your animal. Indicate what ocean your ecosystem
is in, the area it covers (in square miles), average depth, and deepest depth.
ü You must accurately represent the given ecosystem of your animal species. Keep inmind that ecosystems contain various populations of organisms, as well as, essential
non-living things. Use various objects and materials to make your diorama creative.
ü You must include thepredator-prey relationship forthat animal. This means that
if your animal is a predator,
include its food; if it is prey,include its predator(s).

Presentation Information
Each small group must present its findings for the marine animal species, migration patterns,and ecosystem dioramas in any way they choose. Several possible methods are: traditional
report, poster board, or PowerPoint. Presentations should be between 5-7 minutes.

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