Bioluminescent Bay Carrying Capacity

Part 1: Engage

Phenomenon: Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays glow brightly at night due to microorganisms called dinoflagellates. However, changing environmental factors can affect their population and the bay’s glow.

• What factors might influence the population of dinoflagellates in a bioluminescent bay?

Part 2: Explore

Simulation Investigation:

1. Open the Bioluminescent Bay Dynamics simulation.
2. Adjust the environmental factors such as temperature, nutrients, and rainfall.
3. Observe how the population size of dinoflagellates changes and record your data.

Part 3: Explain

Sensemaking:

• Which environmental factor had the most significant impact on the carrying capacity of the dinoflagellates?
• Use your data to explain why the population size leveled off or declined under certain conditions.

Part 4: Elaborate/Evaluate

Modeling:

• Create a mathematical or computational representation (e.g., a graph) to support your explanation of the factors that affect the carrying capacity of the bioluminescent bay ecosystem.