Fact-Finding Team
The Dry Valleys: Exposed
Rock and Soil
The mission of your group is to
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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.
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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.
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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
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If you were visiting the Dry Valleys, in what areas
would you find life?
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Why is the biodiversity so sparse?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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://www.mcmlter.org/
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
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