Lesson 1 ecology_and_ecosystems

Lesson Intentions:

To get our knowledge ready for the topic To be able to locate the climate zones on a world map. To understand the key words : living environment and biosphere. To understand what an ecosystem is To be able to identify different types of ecosystems To define ecosystem, habitat, biome and population To explain why some ecosystems are still unexplored

Understanding the Environment

Starter:

This is an ecosystem.

What comes to mind when you see this picture?

By definition is:

the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

the political movement that seeks to protect

the environment, especially from pollution.

Consider our starter:- What is the environment like? What and who lives there? The relationships between the animals and plants Human impact

“It should be everyone’s birth right to experience our wonderful planet to the fullest, to have the chance to see polar bears, great whales and Antarctica glaciers in real life. I believe that it is profoundly wrong to deprive future generations of this just so we can continue wasting electricity and driving oversized cars” Tim Flannery – (Flannery, 2006, p12)

You have been selected to prepare a secret document for future generations detailing the current state of the planet. Decide on the top 10 pieces of information that you would include. (Ideas include: information about Earth’s forests, atmosphere, water, population, resource use…..)

(Store these ideas in a time capsule for looking at later)

What is an Ecosystem?

Try to work out the missing wordson the following slides and anexample for each!

The part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that is capable of supporting

life.

The collection of organisms in an area along with the important environmental factors

Eg ocean ecosystem

What is a Biome? A biome is a very large ecosystem e.g.

Tropical Rainforest or ocean Biome

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism eg: a coral habitat

A population is the number of organisms of the same species or type living in a habitat

All the animals and plants living in an ecosystem

Advantages and disadvantages?

Research the ecosystems you have been given. Think about these questions:

The name of the ecosystem. Plants found growing there. Animals that live there. Is the ecosystem artificial or natural? Are any of the animals or plants found in both ecosystems? Are any of the animals or plants found in only one ecosystem? If so, suggest reasons why these animals and plants live in only one type of

ecosystem. Is the ecosystem normally hot or cold? Is there much water available? Would it be easy for humans to explore the ecosystem? If not, why not? Could there be animals living in the ecosystem that we know nothing about?

Be ready to feedback to the class next lesson

1. List three facts which you have learnt.

2. Is there anything you do not understand?

What is it?3. How can you improve?

All: to be able to locate the climate zones on a world map. To understand the key words : living environment, biospheres, biome, ecosystem, population, habitat

Most: To be able to show understanding of the links within a simple ecosystem

Some: To be able to suggest reasons why ecosystems might change.

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