Similar to biomes, but operating within smaller geographic areas, are Ecosystems. Within each biome there are often many different ecosystems. In this unit we will study the components and the dynamics of ecosystems, that is, how the various components of an ecosystem interact and function together. In the process we will come to understand the interactions of non-living (abiotic) components in an ecosystem to the living (biotic) components. We will also closely examine populations and communities within ecosystems and the interactions and relationships between them including competition, symbiosis, and ecological succession. We complete the unit by studying energy and nutrient flow through ecosystems.
Assignment 1: Review Abiotic vs. Biotic by watching the following short video.
Assignment 2: Populations -- mini-lecture. Take notes. Complete appropriate parts of the Ecosystems Dynamics worksheet as you go. Click here to view worksheet. Continue making flash cards for new terms.
Watch this video to review what you have learned about Populations and Biotic Potential.
Assignment 3: Watch the following video on "Communities."
Assignment 4: Relationships Among Populations in a Community -- power point. Take notes and continue to fill-in the worksheet. Click here to view power point.
Take a look at this symbiotic relationship between wasps and aphids.
Assignment 5: Ecological Succession -- power point. Take notes and participate in class discussion afterwards. Complete the last section of the Ecosystem Dynamics worksheet as we go. (Click here to access power point)
Watch this video to review the difference between Primary vs. Secondary Succession.
Watch the following video on Climax Communities. Be prepared to discuss what you learn with the rest of the class.
Fieldtrip: Take a walk outdoors. Note the various stages of ecological succession you see along the way.
Asssignment6: As an introduction to Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling through an Ecosystem, watch the following short video by the same name.
Assignment 7: Food Chains -- mini-lecture. Take notes and participate in class discussion. Complete appropriate parts of the Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling helpsheet as you go. (Click here to view worksheet)
To view the power point version of the mini-lecture, click here.
Project: Food Chain poster -- Follow instructions (click here to see instructions). Work independently. Your objective is to create a poster of a food chain that exists in an ecosystem that you select. Turn in your poster to your instructor when it has been completed.
Assignment 8: Energy Pyramids -- mini-lecture. Take notes and participate in class discussion. (Click here to view power point version of the mini-lecture)
Click here to recap what you have learned about Energy Pyramids.
Assignment 8: Nutrient Cycles -- mini lecture. Take notes. Draw a simple diagram for each nutrient cycle (use the space provided on the Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling helpheet). Continue to record new terms on the helpsheet and make flash cards of each word.
To review:
The water cycle, click here.
the carbon cycle, click here.
the nitrogen cycle, click here.
the phosphorous cycle, click here.
Unit Test: Test will cover all the material studied concerning the dynamics of ecosystems. It includes what we learned about population growth, the various interactions between populations within a community, ecological succession, the dynamics of food chains, and nutrient cycling.
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