Natural Selection Today

How are humans impacting the natural selection of species?

Task

1. Choose a Species whose traits are being impacted by human behavior in some way.

Possible species include but are not limited to:

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Pesticide-Resistant Rodents
Herbicide-Resistant Weeds
Finnish Tawny Owl (browner feathers)
Atlantic Tomcod (able to live in toxic water)
Red Squirrels (breeding earlier)
Snakes in Australia (smaller mouths)

The traits of the species you choose should be changing in some way due to pressure caused by humans.

2. Research. After choosing the species you want to study, research the following questions:

What is happening to the traits of this species? Which adaptations of the species were selected for (got passed on due to survival) and which adaptations were selected against (did not get passed on)?
How are humans causing the natural selection of this species? (Or how have we caused it in the past)
What are the implications for the species (what do you think will happen to them in the future)? Has it decreased the variation within the species? If so, how do you think this will affect the survival of the species in the future? Do you think they will continue to change? Why or why not?

3. Share. Create an awareness poster, brochure, comic strip, or booklet that informs people about the environmental pressure being placed on the species you chose. Be sure to

____Inform the readers about the species you chose

____Address all the questions in the Research section above

____Use color and pictures

____Use proper spelling and grammar

____Go for a 4 and influence your readers about what should be done about this situation and why!

Level 4

Develop a possible solution for the species by answering the following questions on your poster/brochure:

- Should we step in and try to protect this species or stop the changes that are happening or should we just let the changes continue? Why or why not?

- What is the best way to remedy this situation? What should be done to help the species?

Learning Targets:

Biodiversity and Evolution Step 4: Understand how variations in the behavior and traits of an offspring cause some organisms to survive or become extinct in a changing environment.

Scoring Guide