Project Immersion: Baleen Whale Populations

Grades 6-8: Baleen Whale Populations

Objective Learn how different baleen whale populations reacted to being extensively hunted and how populations can change over time.

Materials Graph paper

Time Frame 1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background See Mysticetes and Whaling in the Background Information Section
Humpback, right and minke whales have all been hunted. Right whales were decimated because they were the most profitable. They have had trouble recovering due to modern threats they are especially vulnerable to such as boat collisions and entanglements in fishing nets. Humpbacks were not hunted as extensively and are less vulnerable than right whales, so they are recovering slowly, but steadily. Minke whales have never been hunted extensively and are by far the most numerous and least profitable of all baleen whales.

Dive In! In any group of species' populations there are many factors that influence how they will grow over time. The graphs of these three species end up being very different because of their differing interactions with human activities.

Process Using the worksheet and it's figures, have students graph the world populations of these three species over the last one hudred fifty years.
When finished, have students discuss the three different plottedlines and offer various ideas about them. Why they are so different for three species that have all been hunted?
Have students extrapolate the three populations for the next fifty years and decide which is in most danger.
Have students discuss the importance of data in conservation.

Extension Most hunting of endangered species is now for the black market. This includes walrus and elephant ivory, pelts from big cats and reptile skins for purses and boots.

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Objective	Learn how different baleen whale populations reacted to being extensively hunted and how populations can change over time.

Materials	Graph paper

Time Frame	1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background	See Mysticetes and Whaling in the Background Information Section Humpback, right and minke whales have all been hunted. Right whales were decimated because they were the most profitable. They have had trouble recovering due to modern threats they are especially vulnerable to such as boat collisions and entanglements in fishing nets. Humpbacks were not hunted as extensively and are less vulnerable than right whales, so they are recovering slowly, but steadily. Minke whales have never been hunted extensively and are by far the most numerous and least profitable of all baleen whales.

Dive In!	In any group of species' populations there are many factors that influence how they will grow over time. The graphs of these three species end up being very different because of their differing interactions with human activities.

Process	Using the worksheet and it's figures, have students graph the world populations of these three species over the last one hudred fifty years. When finished, have students discuss the three different plottedlines and offer various ideas about them. Why they are so different for three species that have all been hunted? Have students extrapolate the three populations for the next fifty years and decide which is in most danger. Have students discuss the importance of data in conservation.

Extension	Most hunting of endangered species is now for the black market. This includes walrus and elephant ivory, pelts from big cats and reptile skins for purses and boots.