6 Ways Reindeer of St Matthew Island Worksheet Answers

Introduction to Reindeer of St Matthew Island

St. Matthew Island, a remote island in the Bering Sea, was once home to a large population of reindeer. However, the story of these reindeer is a fascinating and somewhat cautionary tale that teaches us about the importance of ecological balance and the consequences of human actions on the environment. In this blog post, we will explore the six ways the reindeer of St. Matthew Island can be used as a worksheet to teach valuable lessons about biology, ecology, and conservation.

The Story of the Reindeer of St. Matthew Island

In 1944, 29 reindeer were introduced to St. Matthew Island by the U.S. government as a way to provide a source of food for the local Coast Guard personnel. The reindeer thrived in their new habitat, and by the 1950s, the population had grown to over 1,000 animals. However, by the 1960s, the reindeer population had begun to decline drastically, and by the 1980s, only a few dozen reindeer remained. So, what happened to the reindeer of St. Matthew Island?

6 Ways Reindeer of St Matthew Island Worksheet Answers

Here are six ways the reindeer of St. Matthew Island can be used as a worksheet to teach valuable lessons about biology, ecology, and conservation:

1. Carrying Capacity

• What is carrying capacity? The maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported by the environment.
• What happened to the reindeer population on St. Matthew Island? The population grew beyond the carrying capacity of the island, leading to overgrazing and degradation of the habitat.
• What is the lesson learned? The importance of understanding carrying capacity and managing populations to prevent overexploitation of resources.

2. Overgrazing and Habitat Degradation

• What is overgrazing? When too many herbivores graze on the same land, leading to degradation of the habitat.
• What happened to the vegetation on St. Matthew Island? The reindeer overgrazed the vegetation, leading to degradation of the habitat and loss of biodiversity.
• What is the lesson learned? The importance of managing grazing to prevent overgrazing and protect habitats.

3. Lack of Predation and Regulation

• What is predation? The act of one organism being preyed upon by another.
• What happened to the reindeer population on St. Matthew Island? The lack of predators led to an unregulated population, which grew beyond the carrying capacity of the island.
• What is the lesson learned? The importance of predation in regulating populations and maintaining ecological balance.

4. Impact of Human Activities on the Environment

• What human activity introduced the reindeer to St. Matthew Island? The U.S. government introduced the reindeer as a source of food for the local Coast Guard personnel.
• What was the impact of this human activity on the environment? The introduction of the reindeer led to overgrazing, habitat degradation, and loss of biodiversity.
• What is the lesson learned? The importance of considering the potential impacts of human activities on the environment before taking action.

5. Conservation and Management of Populations

• What is conservation? The act of protecting and preserving the natural world.
• What is population management? The act of managing populations to maintain ecological balance and prevent overexploitation of resources.
• What is the lesson learned? The importance of conservation and population management in protecting the natural world and maintaining ecological balance.

6. Ecological Balance and Interconnectedness

• What is ecological balance? The balance between different components of an ecosystem.
• What happened to the ecosystem on St. Matthew Island? The introduction of the reindeer disrupted the ecological balance, leading to degradation of the habitat and loss of biodiversity.
• What is the lesson learned? The importance of understanding the interconnectedness of ecosystems and maintaining ecological balance to protect the natural world.

📝 Note: These lessons can be used as a worksheet to teach students about the importance of ecological balance, conservation, and population management.

In conclusion, the story of the reindeer of St. Matthew Island is a valuable lesson in the importance of understanding ecological balance, conservation, and population management. By exploring the six ways the reindeer of St. Matthew Island can be used as a worksheet, we can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and the importance of protecting it.