Island Explorers Curriculum Home
Concepts/Objectives | Vocabulary/Background | Activity | Extension
Lesson Plan 3 |
(Concepts/Objectives) |
"ZONATION AND DISTRIBUTION PART I"
QUESTION
Are organisms distributed evenly throughout all parts of the ocean? Can each organism live in any area of the ocean?
UNDERLYING CONCEPT
Organisms are not distributed evenly throughout all parts of the ocean. Life in the ocean is most heavily concentrated in the coastal (nearshore) zones. Furthermore, every organism is limited in the area that it can inhabit. This results in a zonation of organisms, with certain species occupying certain zones. This is due to both physical and biological factors.
SKILLS
- Research
- Interpretation
OBJECTIVES
- Students will be able to determine/describe the habitat of a variety of common marine organisms.
- Students will be able to describe the major distribution pattern of marine life.
TIME NEEDED
1-2 class periods
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Butcher paper
- Crayons and markers
- Tape
- Organism cutouts (PDF)
- 3"x5" index cards (optional)
- Marine biology books or references (optional)
University of Southern California Sea Grant Program
3616 Trousdale Parkway - AHF 254
Los Angeles CA 90089-0373
(213) 740-1961