Mr. Ulrich
Oceanography
Whales On The Run
Directions: Use the
figures listed in the following table to make a graph that shows how commercial
whaling affected the whale population. Be sure to give your graph a good
descriptive title, and make sure that the axes are clearly labeled.
Before you begin, consider the following points:
A) What kind of graph would be most appropriate to display the data (line or
bar)?
B) What range of numbers will be needed to accurately plot the data?
C) How can you make your presentation eye-catching so that it draws people’s
attention?
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ESTIMATES OF WHALE POPULATION |
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SPECIES |
BEFORE WHALING |
PRESENT |
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Sperm |
2,400,000 |
1,950,000 |
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Blue |
228,000 |
14,000 |
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Fin |
548,000 |
120,000 |
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Sei |
256,000 |
54,000 |
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Minke |
576,000 |
505,000 |
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Gray |
20,000 |
22,600 |
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Right |
100,000 |
4,000 |
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Bowhead |
30,000 |
8,200 |
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Humpback |
115,000 |
10,000 |
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Source: International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee |
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QUESTIONS: Of course you have to
answer these. And yes, there are more on the back
1. In terms of actual numbers of whales lost, which species:
A) had the greatest loss? How many whales were killed?
B) had the least loss? How many whales were killed?
2. In terms of percentage lost, which species:
A) had the greatest loss? What is the percentage?
B) had the least loss? What is the percentage?
Yep, there’s more
3. Use percentage loss figures to make a list that shows the decline for each
species. Organize the list from greatest loss to least.
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SPECIES |
PERCENTAGE LOST |
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1. |
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2. |
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3. |
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4. |
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5. |
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6. |
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7. |
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8. |
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9. |
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This one’s
for homework!
4. Whales were hunted for the valuable and important products they supplied.
Some of these were whale oil, whalebone, and ambergris. Research exactly what
these items are and why they were important. Also, find out what products are
being used in place of these today.
Whale oil:
Whalebone:
Ambergris: