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Invasive Species Obituary Assignment

Mr. Parks

Human Geography

An obituary is a short news article that reports the death of a person. A typical obituary gives information about a person’s life, surviving relatives, and information about the funeral services. Some obituaries will also note the cause of death. See a sample obituary below:

Your assignment is to write an obituary notice linked to an invasive species. You have two options to choose from:

Option 1: Write an obituary for a species that has died off as the result of an invasive species that has moved into the area. Explain the life history of your organism (why it thrives in that specific environment, what it eats, it’s impact on the ecosystem, etc.) Your article should explain specific ways the non-native species outcompeted the native species, and how the non-native species has impacted the ecosystem. Use one research quotation and correct MLA citation for this written assignment.

Option 2: Write an obituary for an invasive species that you have found a way to eliminate. Your article must explain the method used to exterminate the invasive species. The method chosen must have a minimal impact on other organisms in the area. For example, lets look at the Arizona Bullfrog. You cannot choose to poison all the ponds in Arizona in order to kill the bullfrogs, as this will also kill all the other organisms in the pond. Your method must be well thought out and be a viable solution to the problem. Use one research quotation and correct MLA citation for this written assignment.

Examples of invasive species to choose from:

Zebra mussels

· Asian carp

· Crayfish

· Feral pigs

· Green crab

· Kudzu

· Cane toad

· Buffelgrass

· Asian tiger mosquito

· Red fire ants

· Head over to your local game and fish website to find some local plant and animal invasive species!

*Note: if you are choosing option 1, choose an invasive species first and then research which organisms they have affected.

Brainstorming and research

Which option have you chosen? _______________________________________

Which organism will you write about? ___________________________________

What is some background information about your organism?

· _______________________________________________________________

What are specific ways the invasive species have competed with native species? How have they affected the ecosystem? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who might be some “surviving” relatives? (What other organisms in the community are still surviving?)

___________________________________

· ___________________________________

Grading rubric- Option 1

Element	100	75	50
Picture	Printed picture is included.	Picture included is a sketch.	Picture is missing or illegible.
Background information	Includes in depth background information about the invasive species and its role in the ecosystem.	Background information is present but lacking, and ecosystem interactions aren’t explained.	Background information and ecosystem interactions are missing or very unclear.
Competition	Clearly explains how the invasive species competes with the native species, and how the invasive species has impacted the ecosystem.	Explains how the invasive species competes with native species but doesn’t include specific examples. Role of the invasive species is lacking.	Explanation of competition between invasive and native species is missing. The role of the invasive species is missing or very unclear.
Organization and Grammar	Obituary is written in a very organized manner and is free of grammatical and spelling errors.	Obituary is organized and has few grammatical or spelling errors.	Obituary is not written clearly and has grammatical and spelling errors.

Grading rubric- Option 2

Element	100	75	50
Picture	Printed picture is included.	Picture included is a sketch.	Picture is missing or illegible.
Background information	Includes in depth background information about the native species and its role in the ecosystem.	Background information is present but lacking, and ecosystem interactions aren’t explained.	Background information and ecosystem interactions are missing or very unclear.
Elimination Method	Explains a well thought out and viable method used to eliminate the invasive species. Also notes any impacts it might have on local species.	Includes a method used to eliminate the invasive species, although may have impacts on the native species in the area as well.	Method chosen to eliminate the invasive species is missing or a very poor option.
Organization and Grammar	Obituary is written in a very organized manner and is free of grammatical and spelling errors.	Obituary is organized and has few grammatical or spelling errors.	Obituary is not written clearly and has grammatical and spelling errors.