Sustaining Biodiversity
Environmental Science
Embedded Files
Literacy / Driving Question Board Connections
Nonfiction Science Literacy Resources
Graphic Organizers / Thinking Maps
Driving Question Boards
Multilingual Learner Language Expectations
Sustaining Biodiversity: Overview
In this unit, students will learn how to approach the important tasks of conserving ecosystems and sustaining biodiversity. They will also collect and use evidence to develop arguments for beneficial ecosystem management solutions.
Chapter 7 explains the negative and positive roles that humans play in species and ecosystems services.
Chapter 8 describes how to better manage forest, grasslands, and protected land and to protect terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity through an ecosystem approach.
Engineering Project 3 explores possible designs for environmentally friendly solar cookers.
Unit Standards
What is the NGSS & 3 Dimensional Science Learning and Why is it Important?
Science Practices - Disciplinary Core Ideas - Crosscutting Concepts
HS-LS2-2: Biodiversity and Populations in Ecosystems
Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales. (Scale, Proportion, and Quantity)
Clarification Statement: Examples of mathematical representations include finding the average, determining trends, and using graphical comparisons of multiple sets of data.
Boundary Statement: Assessment is limited to provided data.
Learning Objectives / Career Connections
Chapter 7 Saving Species and Ecosystem Services
Chapter 7 emphasizes the roles of biodiversity and human impact in ecosystem services.
Human activities are hastening wild species extinctions and degrading the ecosystem services they provide. Such activities include habitat destruction, the spread of invasive species, population growth, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.
Humans should seek to protect wild species from extinction; their existence should not depend primarily on their usefulness to us.
Humans can help prevent the extinction of species and protect biodiversity and ecosystem services by adhering to environmental laws and treaties and by creating and protecting wildlife sanctuaries.
Chapter 8 Sustaining Biodiversity: An Ecosystem Approach
Chapter 8 explores ways to sustain biodiversity through an ecosystem approach.
The economic values of the ecosystem services provided by the world’s ecosystems are far greater than the value of raw materials obtained from those systems.
We can sustain terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services and increase our beneficial environmental impact by protecting severely threatened areas, protecting remaining undisturbed areas, restoring damaged ecosystems, and sharing with other species much of the land we dominate.
We can sustain aquatic biodiversity and increase our beneficial environmental impact by establishing protected marine sanctuaries, managing coastal development, reducing water pollution, and preventing overfishing.
Using ChatGPT to find local Colorado Phenomena
Use the following prompt, adjust accordingly. "I am a high school science teacher looking for a local Colorado phenomena to address NGSS standard (enter standard you are looking for... example HS-LS1-6)"
Career Connections
Connecting what students are learning to careers not only deepens their engagement in school but also helps them make more informed choices about their future. Browse the following related career profiles to discover what scientists really do on the job and what it takes to prepare for these careers. For additional profiles visit your Year at a Glance Page.
Hands On, Minds On Connections
Hands-On Labs / Lab Safety
Ocean First Education - Online Courses
St Vrain Science Center
Simulations
GIZMOS
Nearpod Lessons / Activities / Videos
LabXchange Lessons / Activities / Videos
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