ZOO CREATION AND SITE SELECTION

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Endangered Species Due to Pesticide Pollution: A Study of the Mississippi RiverGK-8 Middle School TeamFunded by the National Science Foundation18
Endangered Species Due to Pesticide Pollution: A Study of the Mississippi RiverBackgroundPeregrine falcons were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.Although never that abundant as breeding birds in the continental United States, thepopulation went into a nose-dive beginning in the late 1940s. By the mid-1960s nestingpopulations had been eliminated east of the Mississippi River. Western populations werereduced by up to 90%. Scientists investigating the decline found very high concentrationsof the pesticide DDT and its by-products in their tissues. Because they fed on birds, manyof which ate insects, peregrines received a mega-dose due to bioaccumulation of DDTand its residues up the food chain. The chemicals interfered with calcium deposition ontheir eggs, which failed to hatch. Illegal shooting, collisions with man-made objects, andegg and chick collection also impacted populations, but none of these compared with thedrastic effects of pesticides. DDT was banned for usage in North America in 1972, andcoupled with protection under the ESA and captive reintroduction efforts, thesemagnificent birds began to recover. In 1984, the tundra subspecies was downgraded tothreatened status, and by the mid-1990s populations of American peregrine falcons beganto approach the recovery goals that were set when they were listed. They were delisted inAugust 1999. They may even exceed historical levels here in the Northwest, as humanrelated changes have resulted in more open space, which provides suitable foraginghabitat for these falcons.Humans need raptors (birds of prey). Here are only a few of the benefits raptors provide:Raptors help keep animal populations in balance.Raptors consume many animals that humans consider as pests, including mice,rats and destructive species of insects. This helps to control disease and damageto crops.As top predators of their food chain, raptors are an indicator species of the overallhealth of the ecosystem in which they live.Of equal importance, witnessing wild raptors enriches each of our lives. Imaginewhat life would be like if we could no longer gaze upon the grandeur of raptorssoaring high above.Provided by the Woodland Park Zoological Society (peregrinefund.org)19
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Page 20 and 21: Raptor FAQQ: What is the difference
Page 22 and 23: Design a phytoplankerPhytoplankton
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ZOO CREATION AND SITE SELECTION

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