Unit - old Environment and Ecology

In the last unit with the study of photosynthesis and respiration we actually began our study of ecology, the branch of biological science which focuses on the interactions and relationships between organisms and their environment. In this unit we continue our study by investigating the relationships between organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes. In the process we will see how energy as well as nutrients flow through an ecosystem through food chains and food webs, and explore the need for the cycling of major nutrients. Also during the process, we will examine two other important aspects of ecology -- symbiosis and ecological succession.

Instruction this week will be delivered in a series of videos, power point lessons, and short lectures accompanied by worksheets and at least one hands-on project.

SB4a: Investigate the relationships among organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes.

SB4b: Explain the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems by

• Arranging components of a food chain according to energy flow.
• Comparing the quantity of energy in the steps of an energy pyramid.
• Explaining the need for cycling of major nutrients (C, O, H, N, P)

SB4c: Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems.

Assignment 1: View the video "Environment, Ecosystems,and Habitat" with your class. Complete the worksheet on the Environment and participate in class discussion as you go.
(Note: you can view the video again (below) on your own if you need to review it)



Assignment 2: Ecological features of populations -- mini-lecture. Take notes and continue to complete the vocabulary words on the Environment worksheet.

Assignment 3: As a class, view the following powerpoint on the Relationships between Organisms. Take notes. Complete applicable sections of the Environment/Ecology worksheet. (click here to see and review a copy of the power point presentation)

Assignment 3: Food chains and energy pyramids -- mini-lecture. Take notes. Complete the vocabulary on the Ecology Worksheet as you go. Then, begin working on your Food Chain project. Click here to see instructions and the grading rubric.

Assignment 4: As a class, view a video introducing you to the concept of biomes. Fill in the appropriate information in the Biome Worksheet as you go. Be prepared to match biomes with their corresponding climate, animals, and plants in a practice exercise later in the week. Use the worksheet as a study guide.

To help you review click here to see a power point quiz on biome. Your goal is to be able to identify the biome pictured on each slide by the animals, plants and climate you observe in the photograph. Click here to start power point.

Assignment 5: Mini-lecture on the Marine Biome. Take notes and fill-in new vocabulary on your Ecology Worksheet.

Assignment 6: View the following power point presentation on Ecological Succession. Fill in the worksheet on Ecological Succession as you go. Be prepared to participate in a class discussion on ecological succession afterwords. Click here to view the power point lesson.

Unit Quiz: Environment and Ecology. Quiz includes nutrient cycles, populations dynamics, food chains and energy flow, biomes, and ecological succession.