This resource helps students develop an understanding of how growth and survival of an organism depends on physical conditions. This is accomplished by designing an artificial environment in which brine shrimp can thrive. In the first Science NetLinks brine shrimp lesson, Hatching Brine Shrimp (ORC# 438), students determined the optimum salinity for hatching. In this lesson, students design an artificial environment in which the shrimp can survive, and then they raise them. 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. Brine shrimp have no defense against predation, however, so they can best thrive in conditions in which their predators cannot, such as high salinity and temperature. (author/kct)

Environmental and agricultural systems students will, in addition to learning about the brine shrimp and their aquatic environment, come to understand the importance of 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. Students' experience with charting, modeling, and teaming will strengthen their general career preparation skills.