Unit 7 is about ecology, which is a study of the interactions between organisms and the nature. The unit focuses on different parts of the ecosystem and how different species are classified into an organized system. As a class, we learned about food chain, which shows how species are divided into different levels of producers or consumers. We also learned about food web, which reveals interconnection between species from different levels. One important concept that the unit emphasizes is that every species is important to the ecosystem and that many factors affect the survival of an ecosystem. The extinction of a species or a change in the population will affect all populations of the species in the food web. Also, there is a carrying capacity in every ecosystem, which shows the maximum population that the environment can support. In addition to learning about species, we were also informed about different problems that are threatening our nature’s well-being. We were educated about global warming, air pollution, and human’s massive consumption of nonrenewable natural resources. We were able to learn about what we can do to help save our beautiful nature.
Something that I want to learn more about are the endangered species. I am wondering about the ways that can save these species from going extinct. Another thing I am curious about is how the governments are dealing with global issues such as global warming and air pollution. Are they taking actions and coming up with useful solutions that will eventually solve these problems?
My group’s Conservation Biologist Project was very successful. Our group members respected each other's’ opinions and were open to different ideas or advices. We enjoyed talking about different biomes and deciding on the solutions. However, we did encounter some problems due to the member’s absences on several work days. Our groups was worried that the project wouldn’t be finished on time if the member doesn’t come back to school before the deadline. I eventually had to do the part that the absent member is responsible for in addition to the part that I was assigned to. Another conflict that happened was when we were deciding which biome we wanted our project to be based on. We were debating about whether we should choose desert or the ocean. Being a passive person, I agreed to do what the other members wanted. But later, we, as a group, realized that the other option gives us more information, so we changed our topic. From this experience, I realize that my dominant conflict style prohibits me from stating my opinion confidently. I would need to be more assertive by explaining my idea and politely stating the benefits of it. I would also need to speak with confident tone and posture. Despite some of the minor issues and disagreements, we had a great time working together and discussing ecology-related topics. I was able to learn to accept other people’s ideas and work with group members efficiently.
Credits:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/TrophicWeb.jpg
http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/99/95199-036-D579DC4A.jpg
http://earthzine.org/2015/03/11/ocean-plastic-gets-cloudy/
