Unit 5- Man and the Biosphere

We have been studying the relationships between organisms and their environment. The truth is, no organism has more influence on the environment than human beings. So, this week we will concentrate our studies on man's influence in the biosphere.

Instruction will involve several videos followed by class discussion and a short work assignment.

SBS4d. Assess and explain human activities that influence and modify the environment such as global warming, population growth, pesticide use, and water and power consumption.

Assignment 1: Mini-lecture: Man in the Biosphere (influence on food chains and nutrient cycles).

Assignment 2: Watch the video entitled "Non-Native species." Be prepared to discuss what you learn afterwords.

Assignment 3: Mini-lecture (continued): Man in the Biosphere (resource depletion, habitat destruction, pollution ...). Take notes and participate in class discussion.

Click here to view a short presentation on habitat destruction.

Assignment 4: Mini-lecture: Renewable vs. Non-renewable Resources. Click here to see a video version of the mini-lecture.

Assignment 5: Class activity: Watch a video on "Renewable Energy." Afterwords, write a short paragraph describing the renewable energy source that interested you the most.
In the paragraph tell

• what source you picked
• how we acquire the energy (capture it, mine it, make it)
• what advantages it has compared to non-renewable fossil fuels (costs less, cleaner for the environment etc.).

Assignment 6: Mini-lecture: Population Growth. Take note and participate in class discussion.

Quiz: Man's Influence in the Biosphere.