3.1.

3 Explore: Group Behavior and Survival Exploration

Biology Sem 2 Name:
Date:

​Group Behavior and Survival

​Introduction

In this activity, you need to find reliable internet or library sources about how group
behavior affects an individual's and a species' chances of surviving and reproducing.

All animals are well-adapted to their habitats. Their adaptations can be structural,
behavioral, or reproductive. But all of them serve to help the animal survive or
reproduce. In this activity, you will focus on the behavioral adaptations of animals
that live in groups. These adaptations can help individual group members. They can
also help species as a whole.

For your research, choose an animal species whose members live in groups for at
least part of their lives. Here are some examples you could choose:

​ Fish that swim in schools, such as sardines or herring

​ Marine mammals that live in groups, such as orcas, dolphins, or sea lions

​ Birds that form flocks, such as American crows, pelicans, robins, or red-winged
blackbirds

​ Insects that live in large cooperative groups, such as bees, ants, or termites

​ Animals that live in packs, such as wolves or lions

​ Animals that live in herds, such as wild buffalo, zebras, wildebeests (gnu), or elk

​ Other animals that live in groups, such as prairie dogs, penguins, or piranhas

You can use a variety of sources, including primary and secondary sources. Primary
sources are published by scientists to share the results of their investigations. They
include descriptions of the methods used, data gathered, data analysis, and
conclusions. Primary sources are often published in peer-reviewed science journals.
They are written for other scientists, so they can be long and complex. However, they
usually begin with an abstract that summarizes the information. Secondary sources
review or summarize primary sources. They are often written by experts, but they
can help nonexperts understand the information presented in primary sources.

For this topic, you might find reliable information in many places, including scientific
journals, government websites, the national park system, zoos, and universities. Here
are a few suggestions of places to look:

​ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries (for

information about marine species)

​ U.S. National Park Service (NPS) website (for information about animals found in
the national parks)

​ The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

There are also strategies you can use to achieve useful results in an internet search.
For example, consider using the following search terms:

​ [your chosen animal] + group behavior

​ [your chosen animal] + adaptations

​ [your chosen animal] + .edu

​ scientific journals + [your chosen animal] + group behavior

Before you decide to use a source, consider whether it is likely to be credible and
reliable. Think about these questions:

​ Who is the author? Is this person an expert in the subject or in communicating

science topics?

​ What is the goal of the author?

​ Does the author have a possible bias?

​ Was the material written recently, or is the information it contains likely to be

outdated?

​ Does the author include specific scientific evidence to support the claims?
 ​ Are the claims and reasoning presented clearly, without grammatical errors or
information that you know to be inaccurate?

​ Does the author cite credible references?

In Part 1, you will start by finding websites with information you can use. The
questions in Part 2 will help you take notes. In Part 3, you will prepare a presentation
of your research.
​Part 1: Identifying Sources (5 points)

1. List at least five terms from the introduction (or based on what you already know
about your animal or group behavior) that you can use as keywords in your search.
(1 point)

adaptations
evolution
herd / group behavior
behavioral

2. Identify at least two websites or other sources you will use to start your research.
If you end up using other websites or sources to answer the questions in Part 2, add
them to this list. Cross out any websites that don't end up helping you complete the
activity. (2 points)

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/seals-sea-lions

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/harbor-seal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauling-out

3. Evaluate two of the sources you plan to use. Explain why each source seems
credible and likely to contain accurate information. Evaluate the arguments they
present. Do the arguments seem to use logical reasoning? Are they supported by
evidence? (2 points)
​Part 2: Performing Research (15 points)

Use the websites you listed in Part 1 to answer the following questions. Remember
to add any new sources you use to your list.

4. Which animal species did you choose? Where does it live? (1 point)

5. Describe your animal. What kinds of adaptations does it have? How do those
adaptations help it survive? List at least one of each type of adaptation: behavioral,
structural, and reproductive. (3 points)

6. Describe the group structure of your animal in detail. Describe its group behaviors.
Include evidence to support your answer. (5 points)

7. Explain how the group behaviors affect both the individuals in the group and the
species' overall ability to survive. (4 points)
8. Evaluate the merits of the arguments you read about your animal's group
behaviors. Were they supported by evidence? Was there enough evidence to support
the cause-and-effect relationship between each behavioral adaptation and its effect
on survival? (2 points)

​Part 3: Preparing a Presentation (15 points)

Imagine you are making a video to educate people about the importance of group
behaviors for your animal's survival. Your project should include two parts:

1. Write out the script for the video. Be sure that the focus of the script is how the
group behaviors have helped your animal survive individually and as a species.
Be sure to include data or information to support your statements, and be sure
to cite those sources.

2. You know that people, including scientists, will comment on your video. They
may have some very difficult questions for you about how the evidence you
present supports your ideas. Write out three questions that could come up and
how you would answer them. Include at least one question that attempts to
challenge your presentation and findings.

As you are developing your project, be sure to include these aspects:

​ A description of your animal and its group structure (3 points)

​ How its adaptations help it survive (3 points)

​ A logical and reasonable argument about the effects of group behaviors (3

points)

​ Evidence to support your argument (3 points)

​ Questions that clarify how your ideas are supported by evidence (3 points)
​Rubric

Each question in this activity is worth a specific number of points. The possible point
value is stated at the end of each question. The length of your response will depend
on the type of question. Responses should be written in complete sentences,
illustrated with labeled diagrams, and/or calculated with all work shown.

You can use this general rubric for guidance on how your responses will be scored
by your teacher. Once scoring is complete, your teacher will provide you with
feedback on your performance.

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3.1.3 Explore: Group Behavior and Survival