Simulation

Fact-Finding Team
The Dry Valleys: Exposed Rock and Soil

The mission of your group is to

Find the answers to the questions listed below.You may use books, periodical resources, the Internet or the Antarctica: 90 Degrees South video titled I Thought Penguins Could Fly about the biology and ecology of the continent.
Make a presentation of your findings to the class. You may use whatever media you choose for your presentation. Think about how YOU learn best.
Make a handout of the important findings of your group to distribute to the rest of the class.Be sure to cite your sources.

Questions -- The Dry Valleys: Exposed Rock and Soil

If you were visiting the Dry Valleys, in what areas would you find life?
Why is the biodiversity so sparse?
What is bacteria and why is it found in Antarctica? What are the characteristics of bacteria and how are they adapted to life in Antarctica?
What is a nematode and why is it found in Antarctica? What are the characteristics of nematodes and how are they adapted to life in Antarctica?
What is algae and why is it found in Antarctica? What are the characteristics of algae and how are they adapted to life in Antarctica?
What is lichen and why is it found in Antarctica? What are the characteristics of lichens and how are they adapted to life in Antarctica?
Why are the lichens, moss, algae and the limited plant communities the only pioneer species to survive such harsh terrestrial conditions? What is a pioneer species and why would these organisms be the only ones able to survive such harsh terrestrial conditions?

Resources

Understanding Polar Biology, Wildlife
http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/cold-science/
indexes/antarctic-understanding-wildlife.htm

Ten Facts: Introductory information about Antarctic and Subantarctic Animals, Plants and Features.
http://www-aadc.aad.gov.au/ten_facts/default.asp

Icebound Secrets
http://www.manlwestss.qld.edu.au/webtrek/web62/index.htm

Pictures Of Antarctica
http://huey.colorado.edu/LTER/pictures.html

Great Overview!
http://www.antarcticaonline.com/antarctica/science/science.htm

Antarctic Animal Printouts
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/school/Antarctica/
Animalprintouts.shtml

Antarctic Biology
http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/Penguins/longevity.html

Who Lives In Antarctica?
http://www.glacier.rice.edu/invitation/1_natives.html

Images
http://www.worldoceans.com/m_ant.htm

http://www.raydoan.com/abouts/about03c.htm

http://www.antarcticaonline.com/antarctica/photos/photoant.htm

http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/aa.htm

Short Video Clips
http://www.msss.com/http/ant/3.html

Fact-Finding Team The Dry Valleys: Exposed Rock and Soil

The mission of your group is to

Questions -- The Dry Valleys: Exposed Rock and Soil

Resources

Fact-Finding Team
The Dry Valleys: Exposed Rock and Soil