Mapping the Lakes
The students will be given pictures of Toolik lake during winter, spring and summer, and pictures of different microorganisms that exist in the lake. An information sheet will be given to the students describing the lake during the strategic seasons and the characteristics of the habitat of the microorganisms. The students will attach the picture of the microorganism in the lake picture where the microorganism could survive and grow. An analysis table will be given to the students where they could describe the different factors that affects the diversity of microorganisms in Toolik lake.
Objectives
The students will learn the factors affecting diversity of microorganisms such as presence of organic and inorganic nutrients, pH, flow rate and temperature.
Materials
Pictures of Toolik lake:

    Toolik lake during winter (source: thomasdouglas.blogspot.com)

    Toolik lake during fall (source:starcentral.mbl.edu/microscope/portal)

    Toolik lake during spring (source:faculty.washington.edu/jwingfie/toolik.html)

Information sheet describing Toolik lake during the four seasons

Pictures of microorganisms

Tape

Analysis table
Procedure
1)The students will read the information sheet describing the lake during the strategic seasons and the microorganisms that exist.
2)The students will attach the picture of the microorganisms in the lake picture where the microorganisms could survive and grow.
3)An analysis table will be given to the students where they could describe the different factors that affects the diversity of microorganisms in Toolik lake.
References
1. Hobbie JE, Corliss TL, Peterson B J (1983) Seasonal patterns of bacterial abundance in an arctic lake. Arctic and Alpine Res 15:253-259 2. O’Brien WJ, Hershey AE, Hobbie JE, Hullar MA, Kipphut GW, Miller MC, Moller B, Vestal JR (1992) Control mechanisms of arctic lake ecosystems: a limnocorral experiment. In: O’Brien WJ (ed) Toolik Lake: Ecology of an Aquatic Ecosystem in Arctic Alaska. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Amsterdam, pp. 143-188 3. Rublee PA (1992) Community structure and bottom-up regulation of heterotrophic microplankton in arctic LTER lakes. In: O’Brien WJ (ed) Toolik Lake: Ecology of an Aquatic Ecosystem in Arctic Alaska. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Amsterdam, pp. 133-142
State Standards
1.1.2- The student will modify or affirm scientific ideas according to accumulated evidence.
1.2.1- The student will identify meaningful, answerable scientific questions.
1.2.7- The student will use relationships discovered in the lab to explain phenomena observed outside the laboratory.
1.4.1- The student will organize data appropriately using techniques such as tables, graphs, and webs (for graphs: axes labeled with appropriate quantities, appropriate units on axes, axes labeled with appropriate intervals, independent and dependent variables on correct axes, appropriate title).
1.4.2- The student will analyze data to make predictions, decisions, or draw conclusions.
1.5.2- The student will explain scientific concepts and processes through drawing, writing, and/or oral communication.
1.5.7- The student will use, explain, and/or construct various classification systems.
3.1.1- The student will be able to describe the unique characteristics of chemical compounds and macromolecules utilized by living systems.
3.4.2- The student will estimate degrees of relatedness among organisms or species.
3.5.3- The student will investigate how natural and man-made changes in environmental conditions will affect individual organisms and the dynamics of populations.
6.2.1- The student will explain how organisms are linked by the transfer and transformation of matter and energy at the ecosystem level. At least — Photosynthesis/respiration Producers, consumers, decomposers Trophic levels Pyramid of energy/pyramid of biomass
6.2.4- The student will provide examples and evidence showing that natural selection leads to organisms that are well suited for survival in particular environments. At least — coevolutionary relationships, e.g. symbiotic relationships variation within a species increases survival potential natural selection provides a mechanism for evolution adaptations of organisms within biomes
Lesson Resources