___________  /  11     NAME:       BLOCK:  

AVATAR: ECOLOGY You are part of a research team that is being sent to the moon, Pandora. Pandora is located in the Alpha Centauri system. It is one of 5 moons that orbit a large gas planet called Polyphemus. The Alpha Centauri system has two stars, Alpha Centauri A (ACA) and Alpha Centauri B (ACB). ACA is the larger of the two stars, and is the primary star for Pandora.

PLANET INFORMATION

Air Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide (over 18%), Xenon (5.5%), Methane and Hydrogen Sulfide >1%.

Diameter 11447 km Mass 0.72 Earths Gravity 0.8g Atmospheric density

1.2 Earths

Surface pressure

0.9 atm

FIELD OBSERVATIONS: As you watch the movie “Avatar,” pay attention to that moon’s ecology and answer the following questions.

1. In terms of ecological organization, our biosphere is the planet earth. Pandora is a biosphere as well. How do the two biosphere compare to each other? (2 pts)

2. Based  upon  your  observations  so  far,  describe  how  the  abiotic  and  biotic  factors  that  shape  Pandora’s  biosphere  have  influenced  the  diversity  of  life  found  there.  Use  1  specific  example.  (3  pts)

AVATAR: ECOLOGY     NAME:  

Intro to Ecology        BLOCK:          

3. What effect do the abiotic factors have on the humans and how have they overcome them to survive on Pandora? (2 pts)

4. What geological resource on Pandora are the humans seeking to obtain? What value do you think it has for human populations? (2 pts)

5. You have been introduced to many new species of life on Pandora. Pick one of the following and describe its habitat and niche. (2 pts)

Great Leonopteryx

Hammerhead Titanothere

Mountain Banshee

Thanator

Viperwolves

Direhorses