Balancing ecosystems

Write a 350- to 700-word letter (APA Formatted example posted in Class Messages: APA Resources) to the City Council in neighboring Glimmerville. Use APA Format - link for example letter is posted in Announcements - APA Resources. Be sure to include Gamescape Reference in APA format on new page after letter (See Class Messages). To write this assignment, you will use the notes you took from the role-play and your choices selected in the game from GS Episode 1. This is your research for this assignment. PRINT OFF THE RUBRIC AND FOLLOW IT AS YOU DEVELOP YOUR ASSIGNMENT.

In your letter, explain the situation with the Grass Carp and some of the challenges faced in restoring balance to Sparksville's aquatic ecosystem. Since Glimmerville is experiencing a similar situation, provide advice on how to restore their lake ecosystem. Include the following points in your letter: (Note, you do not put the questions in your letter, you simply address ALL required content as listed):

1. a) What is ecosystem balance?

b) Which reduction factors and which growth factors impacted ecosystem balance in Episode 1 In other words why did the grass carp increase in number? Why did the native fish decline? What about the increase and decrease of aquatic grasses, etc.?

c) Describe 2 ways in which the invasive species and 2 ways native species impact ecosystem balance. Inother words what are the negative impacts of the invasive species?  What role does the native species play in ecosystem balance?

2. Based on Episode 1 and the assigned readings: 

a) Describe how native and invasive species might affect succession in the lake.  First you need to understand what succession means than address how native and invasive species impact it.

b) How might an invasive species impact the natural selection of the native species within a habitat?    

c) Describe how native and invasive species affect the flow of energy in an ecosystem? First you need to understand what flow of energy means within an ecosystem and then address the impact of native and invasive species.

3. a)Describe four possible solutions to the Grass Carp invasion problem. These solutions come from your choices in the game: Native Fish, Fishing Policy, Fertilizer Policy, Your fourth solution can be another one from the game OR from the role-play discussion.

b) Describe one advantage and one disadvantage for EACH solution. 

4. As you learned in Chapters 5 and 6 of Environmental Science, the flow of energy, species interactions, and natural selection change over time. Since ecosystems and species are in flux, why should humans strive to restore and maintain ecosystem balance? Use one example from Episode 1 and one example from the assigned reading materials to support your points. Why is sustainability important to these environmental concerns?

RUBRIC: Use the posted Rubric for the assignment to ensure that you cover all required content elements.