Human Impacts on Ecosystems

Poster and Persuasive Speech

In groups of 3 you will study the impact of a factor
related to human activity that threatens the
sustainability of a terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem
in your local area. You will then discuss what has
already been done to remedy the problem and
what can and should be done in the future to limit
the human impact.
You are to create an informative poster to display to the public at the local library
and prepare a persuasive speech. The two best speeches will be presented to the
school community at an assembly.
Possible Project Topics:
1) Urban expansion and its effects on local (specific) wild life
2) Invasive species (Rabbits, Foxes, Mosquito Fish, Cane Toad etc)
3) Water pollution
4) Rising water tables and salinity
5) Effect of fertiliser runoff on waterways
6) Mining and its effects on the environment
7) Deforestation
8) Monocultures in forests
9) Choose your own topic and have the teacher approve
Your poster should include the following information:
1. Introduction What has occurred (deforestation, reducing wetlands, etc.) to
impact the sustainability of the ecosystem you are focusing on?
2. What impacts does the human activity have on the surrounding area? Why
should we care? Has this impact created further problems in other areas?
3. Improvements - What is being done or has already been done to remedy the
problem? What should be done in the future to reduce the impact?
4. How can we have both? What do you think could be done to increase
sustainability but still allow some human impact to occur? Example, our
population is continually growing so we need new homes to live in. How can
this be obtained without impacting our ecosystem more than necessary?

Project proposal due: ___/___/___
Including chosen impact and ecosystem

Assessment due:___/___/___
Marking Rubric Poster:

Does not meet standards (1) Partially meets Standards (2) Meets standards (3) Exceeds standards (4) Mark
Introduction
Discussion is not accurate
and/or has missing
information.
Discussion of the impact lacks
some accuracy and/or is not
concise.
Discussion of the impact is
accurate and concise.
Discussion of the impact is
accurate and concise and
includes extended insight and
thought.

Impact on
surrounding area
Discussion of the impact why
should everyone care has
missing information and/or is
not accurate.
Discussion of the greater
impact why should everyone
care lacks some accuracy
and/or is not concise.
Discussion of the greater
impact why should everyone
care is accurate and concise.
Discussion of the greater
impact is accurate and concise
and includes extended insight
and thought.

Improvements
Discussion of the
improvements has inaccurate
information or is missing
actual research.
Discussion of the
improvements lacks some
accuracy (not enough research)
and/or not concise.
Discussion of the
improvements is accurate and
concise. Research was done to
determine what has
been/could be done.
Discussion of the
improvements is concise and
includes extended insight and
thought. Well thought out
opinions on what more can be
done is included along with
research.

How can we have
both?
Discussion on having a
sustainable ecosystem while
industry or human activity
occurs has inaccurate or
missing information.
Discussion on can we have
both lacks well thought out
plans and/or not concise.
Discussions on can we have
both is well thought out and
concise.
Discussions on can we have
both is well thought out,
concise and includes extended
insight and thought.

Communication
Multiple errors in spelling,
grammar and sentence
structure. It is apparent that
editing was not completed.
Some errors (3-5) in spelling,
grammar and sentence
structure. Editing was not
thorough.
A few errors (1-3) in spelling,
grammar, and sentence
structure. Editing was
completed.
No errors in spelling, grammar,
and sentence structure. Editing
was apparent.

Language
Scientific language not used, or
used incorrectly.
Some correct use of scientific
vocabulary.
Correct use of scientific
vocabulary shows a clear
understanding.
Strong understanding of
scientific vocabulary and it is
seamlessly integrated into text.

Presentation

Very little time and effort was
put into project, or Format
wasnt followed.
Some time and effort was
placed into the project.
Obvious effort was placed.
Images included enhance the
project.
Obvious effort. Lay out and
images improve the readability.


Comments: Total

/28

Marking Rubric Speech:

Does not meet standards (1) Partially meets Standards (2) Meets standards (3) Exceeds standards (4) Mark
Introduction
Begins by reading speech, no
attention grabber is used.
Doesnt state position on topic
Attempts to get attention of
audience with grabber such as
an interesting fact, question, or
idea. Position is not clearly
stated
Gets attention of audience with
grabber such as an interesting
fact, question, or idea. States
position.
Gets attention of audience with
grabber such as an interesting
fact, question, or idea. Clearly
states position

Body
Facts are not clear and have no
support
Facts need clarity and support Facts are somewhat clear some
support
Facts are clear, well supported

Conclusion
Does not bring closure; the
audience is left hanging.
Brings closure. Reviews position. Brings
closure.
Reviews position. Brings
closure. Memorable.

Use of Language
Use of language is
inappropriate
Use of language causes
potential confusion, and/or
vocalized pauses (um uh er
etc.) are distracting.
Use of language does not have
negative impact, and vocalized
pauses (um uh er etc.) not
distracting.
Use of language strongly
influences and engages
audience and contributes to
persuasiveness of the speech,
and vocalized pauses (um uh er
etc.) not distracting.

Clarity
Often mumbles or cannot be
understood.
Speaks clearly and distinctly
most of the time, voice lacks
varying tone.
Speaks clearly and distinctly
nearly all the time with a
varying voice tone.
Speaks clearly and distinctly
with a varying voice tone.
Effective pitch and pace used.

Comments: Total

/20