Unit 5 Opening Research Phenomenon

What is a phenomenon? A phenomenon is an observable event in life that you can see
happening with your own eyes.

Directions: The predator–prey relationship between the owl and small rodents helps
keep a balance between the predator and the prey populations. Increasingly owls are
becoming endangered in various regions of the world. i.e. Northern spotted owl, Bearded
screech owl, and the common Barn owl. Students must conduct research and create a
brief presentation (yes, this will be presented) that addresses the following question
and includes images:

How could the decrease in the owl population affect the human population?

Things to consider for your research

● What is a predator-prey relationship and why is it so important? Why are
predators important to various ecosystems?
● What predator–prey population if owls go extinct?
● What are some reasons owl populations have been dying off?
● What kinds of diseases do rodents carry? Where are rodents usually found?
● What happens to human health when you are exposed to the diseases that
rodents carry?
● What parts of the human body do these diseases impact?
● What solution would you propose to reduce the effect that environmental
diseases have on the human population?

Methods to get research done: Powerpoint, Prezi, Poster, Essay, Video, Anchor Chart,
Song, etc.

Due Dates: Monday (1st/5th period)

Tuesday (2nd/6th period)
The predator-prey relationship is when one organism is feeding off the other one and it
is important for the ecosystem. Predators are important to ecosystems because without
them the ecosystem would fail. If the owl population were to go extinct the rodents
would be able to feed and reproduce at a faster rate. The reason owls are going extinct
is because of habitat loss, logging, climate change. They can carry many diseases
including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia, and
Salmonella. Rodents are usually found underground and in their nest. When exposed to
diseases that rodents carry a humans health start to diminish: One example of this
happening is someone getting hantavirus by inhaling dust affected by rat droppings
Then it slowly infects your heart, lungs, and kidneys. Hantavirus infects all your organs and
renders them useless.