Virtual Field Trip: Water Ecosystem In this lesson, you took a tour of three of our unique aquatic biomes. In this assessment, you will take a virtual field trip to any aquatic ecosystem of your choice and learn about the biotic and abiotic factors that shape it.

Step 1
A virtual field trip is a Web search of a location you are unable to visit in person. For this virtual trip, pick any sea, lake, bay, or river in the world and research the biotic and abiotic factors that make it unique. Include the following features in your virtual field trip research:

the location of your body of water
a description of the geography surrounding your body of water
the effects of sunlight on the aquatic life inhabiting your body of water
the depths and salinity of your body of water and how this shapes the types of aquatic life present
the effects of seasonal changes to water temperatures and aquatic life in your body of water
predictions or current research on the effects of climate change to your body of water
Step 2
Now that you’ve gathered your research, share your virtual field trip with your instructor. Include pictures of your aquatic ecosystem and the life within it in your presentation, but make sure to cite the sources of your pictures and research. Please review the student example and rubric for this virtual field trip before continuing.

You may share your field trip in any creative format you would like. Here are a few suggestions:

video or media presentation
slide show
Web page
illustration that includes research notes