Investigation 4, Part 1A Visit to Mono Lake

Warm upWhat is an ecosystem?How big are ecosystems?

A system of interacting organisms and nonliving factors in a specified area.

It varies. It can be as small as a drop of water or large like an ocean.

An ecosystem includes all of the organisms in a defined space, the physical environment the organisms live in and the interactions that go on among the organisms and the environment.

Mono LakeLocated in the eastern wall of the Sierra

Nevada in California, just east of Yosemite National Park.

Small saline lake.Mono Lake, The Great Salt Lake and a few

others are the remnants of a huge prehistoric lake called Lake Lahontan.

Covered parts of California, Nevada and Utah thousands of years ago.

It has a unique collection of organisms.

Field TripWe are going to go on a video field trip of Mono

Lake because it is too far away to go there in real life.

Preview the questions on page 19 so you know what to listen for.

As we watch, look for information that that defines the Mono Lake ecosystem.

Try to identify the issues or issue that has brought attention to this desolate place.

When the movie is over, you will have time to complete page 19. It is due today.