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Title
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Observing Animal Behavior in the Wild
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Type
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Primary: Field Assignment
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Operation
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Resilient Planet
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Mission:
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Mission 2: Survivors
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Print Page
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44,45
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Subjects
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Science | Life science | Behavior | Biological classification | Science as inquiry | Science process skills | Analyzing data | Asking questions | Communicating | Hypothesizing | Interpreting data | Observing | Using scientific equipment | Using technology
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Grades
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5 | 6 | 7 | 8
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Keywords
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Animal, behavior, wild, observe, observing, Gulf of Mexico, Dr. Ballard, review, analyze, communicate, data, FGBNMS, research, tool, ROV, remotely operated vehicle, communication, signal, depth, salinity, temperature, camera, record, observation, collect, survive, national, marine, sanctuary, snorkel, transect, environment, organism, identification, chart, species, distinguish, fish, plant, quantitative, adaption
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Duration
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01:00:00 (HH:MM:SS)
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Audience
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Teachers | Elementary Grades | Junior High
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Created On
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4/20/2008
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Copyright
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Pater Haydock, The JASON Group; NOAA
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From: Resilient Planet Mission 2: Survivors (pp: 44,45) |
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Observing Animal Behavior in the Wild This field assignment, students will do a transect to discover the competitive strategies within a resilient ecosystem. |
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Recall that your mission is to discover the competitive strategies within a resilient ecosystem. Now that you have been fully briefed, it is time to analyze video footage and uncover more about the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico. Then, like Dr. Ballard, you will plan an expedition into the field to observe the behaviors and adaptations of local species. Back in the classroom, you will review, analyze, and communicate your data.
To understand the ecology of the FGBNMS environment, Dr. Ballard uses a variety of research tools. One of his tools is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). ROVs are piloted from a support ship on the surface. Communication signals are sent along a connecting cable to direct the ROV's movement and data collection. Data about depth, salinity, and temperature is transmitted to the support ship along with images from the ROV’s camera. As part of this assignment, you will watch video footage, analyze what you see, and record your observations. Finally, you will plan and outfit an expedition into your local environment. Your objective is to collect and analyze data that will demonstrate successful strategies used by animals to compete and survive in their natural setting.  | Mission 2 Argonaut Field Assignment Video
Join the National Argonauts as they explore a national marine sanctuary and collect data by snorkeling and using an ROV. |
 | Caution!
You must have the landowner's permission to access any land in your study. Even if your ecosystem is on public land, inform the proper authorities of your intent. Obtain permission before conducting tests at your study site. Never travel alone. Take a responsible adult with you to the study site. Always use proper safety protocol while using tools. |
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| Materials |
| - access to research materials
- camcorder or digital video camera
- computer with Internet access
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| Field Preparation |
- Download the Field Assignment Data Sheet and Organism Identification Chart from the JASON Mission Center.
- Familiarize yourself with the organisms described on the Organism Identification Chart. Which features are better for differentiating and distinguishing species?
- Use print and online resources to learn more about each of the organisms likely to be observed in the transect video.
- Watch the transect video. As you watch the video, note and record the time that each individual fish appears on the screen. Stop, rewind, and resume the video as needed. Observe and record the individual’s behavior. Note and record the time it exits the video frame.
- What other species can you identify in this video? When a new species appears, note and record the time of its appearance and exit. Also, include any information about the organism’s behavior and unique survival adaptations.
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| Mission Challenge |
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Your challenge is to analyze survival strategies of animals in their natural settings.
- Identify a local ecosystem where you can observe living organisms.
- What sort of animals and plants do you expect to find? Research these organisms to learn more about them. Note any competitive strategies that you might observe, record, and later analyze in the classroom.
- Go to your study site and conduct your investigation by videotaping your ecosystem.
- On your return to class, watch the video and analyze it, noting the time that specific organisms appeared and then exited the frame.
- Make or obtain a map of your study site. On this map, indicate the locations where key organisms were observed.
- Develop a quantitative way of analyzing the behaviors you observed in your video.
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| Debrief |
- Analyze the recorded behaviors of these organisms using your quantitative method. Identify how each behavior is an adaptation for the animal’s survival.
- Create a food web for the organisms you observed and analyze their interactions.
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Journal Question
Analyze the strengths and limitations of using video for data collection in the field. What recommendations would you make to other researchers about using video as a tool for field studies?
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