This resource is designed to help students understand how the growth and survival of an organism (brine shrimp) depend on physical conditions. Students design an experiment to determine the optimum salinity of water needed to hatch brine shrimp. Animals that live in salt marshes, mangrove swamps, and tidal flats all have built-in adaptations to deal with saltwater and changing levels of salinity. For example, brine shrimp can survive in seawater and brackish water and can be found in salt lakes and brine ponds all over the world. However, brine shrimp have no defense against predation, so can best thrive in conditions in which their predators cannot, such as high salinity and temperature. (author/kct)

Environmental & Agricultural Systems students will, in addition to learning about brine shrimp and their aquatic environment, come to understand the importance of controlling environmental factors in raising livestock. Students can be encouraged to develop this live model by applying what they have learned to other species or to agricultural plants. They might also create experimental models and study the effects manmade changes in the environment have on various species in the wild. Students' experience with charting, modeling, and teaming will strengthen their general career preparation skills.