Webquest Honeybeesas Keystone Species and why they are important to biodiverstiy PDF

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Summary

Use this as a virtual lab to predict how keystone species affect the ability to change biodiversity and an ecosystem...

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Honeybees as Keystone Species Task: Honeybees are currently experiencing a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Honeybees are a keystone species, meaning that their removal from ecosystems will have a dramatic effect on the ecosystem as a whole. Also, honeybees are of great importance to the human food supply. Use the links below to research bees as an example of a keystone species. Answer the research questions, then summarize your findings in a one page written response. http://news.psu.edu/tag/colony-collapse-disorder http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572 http://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/colony-collapse-disorder http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/animals/bees.asp http://time.com/3821467/bees-honeybees-environment/ http://extension.psu.edu/plants/master-gardener/counties/pike/publications/colony-collapse-disorderfaq-sheet http://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/6327/20150514/keystone-species-dying-off%E2%80%94whylosing-beehives-and-honey-may-be-more-concerning-than-youd-think.htm http://www.theecologist.org/investigations/natural_world/269338/give_bees_a_chance.html http://honeybeelab.tamu.edu/

1. What is a keystone species?

2. Why do keystone species have a larger impact on ecosystems than other species?

3. Why are honeybees considered a keystone species? Describe IN DETAIL how honeybees are vital to ecosystem health.

4. Describe general bee biology: How is honeybee society organized? What is the role of a hive? What is the honeybee life cycle? What do bees eat? How do they communicate? Etc.

5. In what ways are honeybees important to humans? BE DETAILED.

6. What is Colony Collapse Disorder?

7. How is CCD affecting bee populations?

8. What are the theorized causes of CCD?

9. Can CCD be prevented? If so, how?

10. How would a lack of honeybees negatively affect human populations? Why?

11. How would a lack of honeybees affect ecosystems? Why?

12. What is being done to stop the spread of CCD?...