23 March 2008
A Changing Climate
Yellowstone Park is home to a plethora or animals and vegetation. But changes in climate are beginning to affect the park. Due to the warming climate, an invasive species has spread from Canada to Yellowstone. This weed, Canadian thistle, is a favorite food to the pocket gopher. Not surprisingly, the number of pocket gophers in Yellowstone have increased. And these gophers are hunted by grizzly bears, who's numbers have also been increasing in Yellowstone. The ability to adapt in these animals, key to natural selection, have caused their numbers to rise while those animals who cannot adapt to a changing climate are dwindling.NY Times article
Adaptations of plants and animals
1. Read the first article and explain the relationship of Canadian thistle to pocket gophers to grizzly bears.
2. Go to the second link and choose a plant or animal. Explain how they are adapting to the changing climate.
3. Choose an invasive species (a plant, animal, or microbe) from this link. List its common and scientific name, native habitat, and impact on the new environment. Link to a photo of this organism. Extra credit will be given for NYS organisms.
Everyone have a happy Easter!
# posted by Ninja @ 7:47 AM 
