If a new island was created which type of seed would you expect to arrive at island first : a seed dispersed by wind,water or animals? Explain your answer.
Answers
Answer:
Description:
Part 1: Seed Dispersal Predictions: Students will make observations
about different types of seeds, and based on those observations,
make predictions about how those seeds are dispersed.
Part 2: Seed Dispersal Experiment: Students will put their
predictions to the test by using a fan, water, and material to see
which seeds float, stick to animal fur, or are wind-borne.
Part 3: How Far Can Seeds Travel? Students will calculate how far
different dispersal mechanisms are likely to move seeds over a
given period of time. Students use average range and migration
distance to calculate how far animal-dispersed seeds might travel,
experiment using a fan for wind-dispersed seeds, and consider how
far water-dispersed seeds travel using a global map of ocean
currents. They will also consider the constraints of their
experiments and how those constraints (e.g. using a fan rather than
wind) might affect the accuracy of their results.
Part 4: Assisted Migration: Students will consider the implications
of the ability of plants to migrate in the context of changing
climates and debate whether or not humans should use assisted-
migration techniques to help plants migrate.
Time: Three 45-minute class periods
Materials:
Per Student
• Student handouts for parts,
1, 2, 3, and 4
• Pencils
Per group
• Calculator (optional)
• Tape measure
• A set of seeds of different
dispersal types (at least
three different seeds per
group of students). Sets of
seeds can be ordered from
Carolina Biological Supply
Company, item #157970,
Seed Dispersal Set
(http://www.carolina.com/)
• One box fan (if you don’t
have enough fans for each
group, you can have
student groups rotate to
test wind-dispersed seeds)
• One bucket of water
• One stuffed animal, or other
fuzzy fabric
National Science Education Standards
A1c Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data
A1d Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence
A1h Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry
C5d Extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive
characteristics of a species are insufficient to allow its survival
AAAS Benchmarks
4B/H1 Life is adapted to conditions on the Earth…
5F/M2a Individual organisms with certain traits are more likely than others to survive and have
offspring.
5F/M2b Changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of individual organisms
and entire species.
5F/M5 Reproduction is necessary for the survival of any species.
Answer:
The seed dispersed by water