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Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Interactions in Ecosystems
Interactions in Ecosystems
Key Questions
How do human activities affect ecosystems? (anthropogenic effects)
What methods can we use to observe and monitor changes in ecosystems?
How can we assess the ipacts of our actions?
Outcomes
Outcomes
1 - Investigate and describe relationships between humans and their environments, and identify related issues and scientific questions
2 - Trace and interpret the flow of energy and materials within an ecosystem
3 - Monitor a local environment, and assess the impacts of environmental factors on the growth, health and reproduction of organisms in that environment
4 - Illustrate how life-supporting environmenets meet the needs of living things for nutrients, energy sources, moisture, suitable habitat, and exchange of gasses
5 - Describe the relationships among knowledge, decisions and actions in maintaining life-supporting environments
Ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and with their environment.
It includes learning about different types of plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the places they live and how they depend on each other and their surroundings to survive.
Key Concepts
Key Concepts
Ecosystems
Habitats
Biotic/Abiotic Functions
Food Webs
What do Living things need? Any IDEAS?
What do Living things need? Any IDEAS?
Food
Water
Habitat (a place to live)
Air
Adaptations
Adaptations
How organisms are adapted to their environment through physiological, behavioral, and evolutionary processes.
Example: Darwin's Finches
Adaptation via natural selection
How adapted are you? - Class Activity (1-A)
How adapted are you? - Class Activity (1-A)
You will be separated into groups.
Each group has a different "beak".
Pick up as much food as you can using only your beak in the 30 seconds given.
Place food into your "stomach" (plastic bag).
Analyze
How do particular adaptations of animals affect what they eat?
Based on your observations, which type of "animal" was better suited for which change in food supply?
Is an animal's ability to eat a variety of food an adaptation? Why?
Fitness
Fitness
No...not working out
Fitness: The fitness of an organism refers to its ability to survive, reproduce, and pass on its genes to the next generation.
High fitness = well-adapted to its environment
Organism has enough resources like food and shelter, avoids predators, and successfully raises offspring.
Ecosystems
Ecosystems
An ecosystem is a community of living things (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with non-living things (air, water, soil) in their environment.
Examples: Forests, ponds, deserts, and oceans are all types of ecosystems.
Biotic
Biotic
Living parts of an ecosystem
Ex: plants, animals, bacteria, and YOU
Abiotic
Abiotic
Non-living parts of an ecosystem
Ex: sunlight, water, temperature, and soil.
Everything is connected
Everything is connected
In an ecosystem, every single thing both biotic and abiotic is vital to survival!
Interactions in ecosystems
Interactions in ecosystems
Symbiosis
Symbiosis
Mutualism
Mutualism
Each organism benefits
Parasitism
Parasitism
One organism benefits (parasite) and the other organism is harmed (host)
Commensalism
Commensalism
One organism benefits, the other is unaffected
Human impacts on ecosystems
Human impacts on ecosystems
Human activities, known as anthropogenic effects, can significantly impact ecosystems.
These impacts can be both positive and negative, affecting the environment and the living organisms within it.
Pollution
Pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution
Emissions from cars and factories release harmful gases into the air causing health problems for people and animals and contributing to climate change.
Water pollution
Water pollution
Dumping chemicals and waste into rivers and lakes harms aquatic life and contaminates drinking water.
Soil pollution
Soil pollution
Pesticides and fertilizers used in farming can contaminate the soil, affecting plants and animals.
Deforestation
Deforestation
Definition: Cutting down large areas of forests for timber or to clear land for farming.
Impact: Leads to habitat loss for many species, reduces oxygen production, and contributes to climate change by increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Urbanization
Urbanization
Definition: Building cities and towns.
Impact: Destroys natural habitats, increases pollution, and creates heat islands (areas that are significantly warmer than their surroundings).
Overfishing
Overfishing
Definition: Catching too many fish from the ocean.
Impact: Depletes fish populations, disrupts food chains, and harms marine ecosystems.
Climate change
Climate change
Definition: Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns. Mainly due to human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Impact: Alters habitats, affects animal migration and breeding patterns, and increases the frequency of extreme weather events.
it isn't all doom and gloom don't worry
it isn't all doom and gloom don't worry
Conservation efforts
Conservation efforts
Protecting endangered species and habitats through laws and regulations.
Recycling/waste reduction
Recycling/waste reduction
Reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.
renewable energy
renewable energy
Using solar, wind, and other renewable sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease pollution.
Assignment #1
Assignment #1
Our Impact on the Earth: Understanding and Taking Action
Our Impact on the Earth: Understanding and Taking Action
Each group will be assigned a specific human impact to investigate.
Topics can include:
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Soil Pollution
Deforestation
Urbanization
Overfishing
Climate Change
Positive Human Actions (e.g., conservation efforts, recycling, renewable energy)
Research and Investigation:
Research: Groups will gather information on their topic using books, reliable websites, and other resources.
Impact Analysis: Investigate how your assigned impact affects local and global ecosystems.
Focus on specific examples, such as the Alberta tar sands for pollution or the Boreal Forest for deforestation.
Presentation Preparation:
Poster/Display Board: Create a poster or display board summarizing their findings.
This should include:
Explanation of the impact
Real-life examples
Effects on ecosystems and specific species
Visuals like photos, diagrams, and charts
Action Plan: Propose at least two practical solutions or actions that can help mitigate the negative impact.
Include examples of successful initiatives if possible.
Presentation:
Each group will present their findings to the class. The presentation should be ~3-5 minutes long.
Introduction to the topic
Key findings from the research
Proposed solutions
Visual aids from their poster/display board
Bonus Points: Interactive Component:
Activity or Demonstration: Each group will lead a short activity or demonstration related to their topic.
Examples include:
Pollution Experiment: Show how pollutants affect water quality.
Tree Planting Simulation: Discuss the benefits of planting trees and simulate a tree-planting event.
Recycling Challenge: Organize a game where students sort items into recyclable and non-recyclable categories.
Reflection and Discussion:
After all presentations, all students will write 1 paragraph outlining another groups presentation and 3 things you have learned.
Food Webs
Food Webs
Food Chains are a thing of the past. Food webs are the future!
Unlike a food chain which follows a single path of energy flow, a food web illustrates multiple paths of energy and nutrient movement.
Food webs highlight the interconnectedness of various organisms.
What is a food web?
What is a food web?
A food web is a complex diagram that shows how different plants and animals in an ecosystem are connected through their feeding relationships.
Key Parts of the Food Web
Key Parts of the Food Web
Producers
Producers
These are plants and algae that make their own food through photosynthesis!
They are the foundation of the food web.
Consumers
Consumers
Animals that eat other organisms
Primary consumers
Primary consumers
Herbivores that eat producers
(ex: rabbits, deer)
Secondary consumers
Secondary consumers
Carnivores that eat primary consumers (ex: foxes,snakes).
tertiary consumers
tertiary consumers
Carnivores that eat secondary consumers
(ex: hawks, sharks)
Decomposers
Decomposers
Organisms like bacteria and fungi that break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil.
Niche - *know this*
Niche - *know this*
The role or function of an organism within an ecosystem.
It encompasses the organism's interactions with other living organisms (biotic factors) and its environment (abiotic factors).
Example - Beavers
Example - Beavers
The niche of a beaver in a forest ecosystem includes building dams (which creates ponds and changes water flow), feeding on trees and plants, and providing habitats for other organisms like fish and amphibians.
The beaver's niche helps maintain the health and balance of the forest ecosystem.
Herbivores
Herbivores
An animal that eats only plants. Examples include cows, rabbits, and deer
Omnivores
Omnivores
An animal that eats both plants and animals. Examples include humans, bears, and raccoons.
Carnivores
Carnivores
An animal that eats only other animals. Examples include lions, wolves, and sharks.
Energy Flow in Food Webs
Energy Flow in Food Webs
Biomass: Total mass of ALL organisms in an ecosystem
Why does this matter anyways?
Why does this matter anyways?
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
A diverse food web means a healthy ecosystem.
More connections between species make the ecosystem more resilient to changes.
Ecosystem balance
Ecosystem balance
Food webs show how the removal or addition of a species can impact the entire ecosystem.
For example, removing a top predator can cause an increase in herbivores, which may overeat plants and disrupt the balance.
interdependence
interdependence
Food webs illustrate the dependence of organisms on one another for survival.
Every species has a role, and changes can ripple through the web.
cycles in the environment
cycles in the environment
Topic 5
The Carbon Cycle
The carbon cycle is the process through which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, land, water, and organisms.
This cycle ensures that carbon, an essential element for life, is recycled and reused throughout the Earth.
Examples
Examples
Photosynthesis Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, use sunlight, then convert it into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.
Respiration Animals and plants release CO2 back into the atmosphere when they breathe.
Decomposition Dead plants and animals decompose, releasing carbon back into the soil and air.
Combustion Burning fossil fuels (like coal and oil) releases stored carbon into the atmosphere as CO2.
Activity: What Is Your carbon footprint?
Activity: What Is Your carbon footprint?
Use the following website to calculate your carbon footprint.
What surprised you?
The water cycle
The water cycle
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. This cycle ensures that water is recycled and made available to all living organisms.
Evaporation
Evaporation
Water from oceans, lakes, and rivers heats up and turns into vapor which rises into the atmosphere.
Condensation
Condensation
Water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets, forming clouds.
precipitation
precipitation
Water droplets in clouds combine and fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
WaterCycleMovie-NoText.mp4pH Scale
pH Scale
The pH scale is a measure of how acidic or basic (alkaline) a substance is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.
Importance of pH
Importance of pH
Biological Systems: Living organisms require a specific pH range to function properly. For instance, human blood has a pH of about 7.4.
Environment: The pH of soil affects plant growth, and the pH of water bodies impacts aquatic life.
Everyday Life: pH is important in various household products, from cleaning supplies to food and beverages.
bioaccumulation
bioaccumulation
Bioaccumulation refers to the process by which certain substances, such as chemicals or toxins, build up in an organism over time.
These substances are often absorbed at a rate faster than they can be eliminated, leading to higher concentrations within the organism compared to the surrounding environment.
Succession and change in ecosystems
Succession and change in ecosystems
Topic 6
Succession
Succession
Succession in ecosystems refers to the natural process by which ecosystems change and develop over time.
It involves a series of stages where different types of plants and animals colonize an area leading to changes in the environment until a stable community (climax community) is established.
Primary succession
Primary succession
Occurs in areas where no previous ecosystem existed
Ex: Bare rock exposed by a retreating glacier, a volcanic island, or a new sand dune.
Secondary succession
Secondary succession
Takes place in areas where an existing ecosystem has been disturbed but soil remains.
Ex: Forest fire, flood, or human activities like farming.
Pest Controls
Pest Controls
Pest control refers to the methods used to manage or eliminate pests (organisms that are harmful to crops, animals, or humans).
Involves various techniques from chemical to physical aimed at reducing the pest population.
Chemical Pest Control: Often using DDT
Definition: This involves using synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides, to kill or repel pests.
How it works: These chemicals are sprayed or applied to crops, plants, or areas infested with pests.
Pros:
It is fast-acting and can cover large areas.
Can be very effective in controlling or eliminating pests.
Cons:
Chemicals can harm non-target species, such as pollinators like bees.
Pests can develop resistance over time, making the chemicals less effective.
Chemicals can pollute water and soil, impacting ecosystems and human health.
Biological Controls
Biological Controls
Definition: This method uses natural predators, parasites, or diseases to control pest populations.
How it works: Beneficial organisms are introduced to control the pests. For example, ladybugs can be released in a garden to control aphid populations.
Pros:
It is environmentally friendly and doesn't involve harmful chemicals.
Reduces the risk of pests developing resistance.
Helps maintain the balance of ecosystems by using natural predator-prey relationships.
Cons:
It can be slower to show results compared to chemical control.
Sometimes, the introduced species can become invasive and create new ecological problems if not carefully managed.
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