You have decided to start a travel agency focused on ecotourism with a positive impact on the natural world. One of the first items on your to-do list is to create a brochure highlighting a biome that your clients can visit.
In your brochure, be sure to address the following points:
- Location
- Major biotic components
- Major abiotic components
- Energy flow/food web (don’t forget the detritivores!)
- Relative biodiversity
- Impact/risk from climate change
- Impact/risk from invasive species
- Impact/risk from human activities
- How your ecotours will have a positive impact
Remember, good brochures have lots of photos highlighting the natural wonders, so be sure to provide appealing graphics or images.
Rubric: Ecotourism
Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Location | Location is identified geographically, including similar (and unique) characteristics | Location is identified geographically | A specific location is not identified | 3 pts |
Biotic components | Biotic components at all tropic levels are identified | Biotic components are identified | Few or no biotic components are identified | 3 pts |
Abiotic components | Multiple abiotic components are identified | Abiotic components are identified | Few or no abiotic components are identified | 3 pts |
Food web | All levels of the food web are identified, with multiple species | All levels of the food web are identified | Not all levels of the food web are identified | 3 pts |
Biodiversity | Specific unique biodiversity features are mentioned | Biodiversity is summarized | Biodiversity is not addressed | 3 pts |
Climate change | Potential/actual impact of climate change is discussed with specific evidence | Potential impact of climate change is discussed | Climate change is not addressed specifically | 3 pts |
Invasive species | Potential/actual impact of invasive species discussed with specific evidence and species identified | Potential impact of invasive species discussed | Invasive species not addressed specifically | 3 pts |
Human activities | Potential/actual impact of human activity discussed with specific evidence | Potential impact of human activity discussed | Human activity not addressed specifically | 3 pts |
Positive impact | Specific environmental activities discussed | Positive impacts addressed at a high level, such as economically | Positive impacts not discussed | 3 pts |
Total points: 27 |