Unit 3: Communities
Introduction-
Lets take a look at where population fits in the scheme of things. Watch this Crash Course episode to get exposure to some of the key terms we will be exploring.
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Ecology- Crash Course
If you would like to go back and review later here is a table of contents for this video 1) Ecological Hierarchy 02:01:2 a) Population 02:12 b) Community 02:26:1 c) Ecosystem 02:50 d) Biome 03:22:1 e) Biosphere 03:51 2) Key Ecological Factors 04:07 a) Temperature 05:06:1 b) Water 05:37 3) Biome Type 06:03:1 |
Now lets take time to break down each of the areas and how they work. Our next three Units will break down each of the areas in the ecology of environmental science and their affects. Lets start with the communities formed by populations and what aspects have the most affect on those communities.
Population in the Wild
Let's Reflect
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Now lets take a look at how
population is affected in the wild! Watch the National Geographic Video "Valley of the Wolves". Complete the graphic organizer while watching for what aspects are affected by the loss of the wolf population.
Every organism in a community is connected. You are going to watch "Valley of the Wolves" I want you to look for everything that was impacted by the wolves being gone.
On your paper I want you to add bubbles or circles to your bubble map for each thing that is impacted. I do not expect you to get everything, so do not stress out, but you need to get as many things that are impacted by the wolves as possible. This will be a grade. |
Find the wolves interesting? If you would like to watch a similar Full Documentary Click Here. For additional playlist Click Here.
Key Vocabulary-
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Record Key Vocabulary in your Class notebook.
Today's color for notes is BLUE. |
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Application- Lets put our new knowledge to use. Complete the following Food Web Critical Thinking Activity. Remember to use your thinking strategies and *annotate* as you read.
food_web_critical_thinking.doc | |
File Size: | 70 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Keystone Species
Read "Keystone Species- Otters, Alligators and Elephants" from Exploringnature.org
Analyze the following:
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Key Vocabulary
Keystone species- An organism in an ecosystem that impacts all other members in some way
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Take a Closer Look at Succession
Take this quick quiz to see where you are starting in your knowledge of succession.
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video_recap_of_succession_by_amoeba_sisters__1_.pdf | |
File Size: | 589 kb |
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How Species Interact
Today's Color for notes is RED
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video_recap_of_ecological_relationships_by_amoeba_sisters.pdf | |
File Size: | 399 kb |
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Taking a Closer Look at Symbiosis
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Intraspecific Relationships Between Species
Interspecific Relationships Between Species
Neutralism
Amensalism
Commensalism
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Competition
Mutualism
Predation or Parasitism
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Are you still confused about the concepts of relationships between organisms? Review using this video.
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Additional Examples looking directly at a California Coral Reef
RELATIONSHIPS REVIEW
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What is an Invasive Species?
Invasive species can be plants, animals, and other organisms (e.g., microbes). Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions. (For more information, see our Vectors and Pathways section of the USDA Invasive Species Center.)
On Invasivespeciesinfo.gov you can learn about the impacts of invasive species and the Federal government's response, as well as read select species profiles (animals, aquatic species, microbes, and plants) and find links to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues. |
Key Definition: Invasive Species
"an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." As per Executive Order 13112 an "invasive species" is defined as a species that is:
1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. |
Massive vines that blanket the southern United States, climbing high as they uproot trees and swallow buildings. A ravenous snake that is capable of devouring an alligator. Rabbit populations that eat themselves into starvation. These aren’t horror movie concepts – they’re real stories. But how could such situations exist in nature? Jennifer Klos gives the facts on invasive species.
Activity: Click Here to Play BrainPop's Invasive Species Game! You must be on a device with Flash. Once complete write a paragraph (minimum 4 sentences) summarizing what you learned playing the game and turn it in.
View and Reflect: Lets take a look at just what lengths an invasive species can go to. Watch the Conquest of the Cane Toads and complete the movie reflection.
movie_questions_for_cane_toads.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Exploration Questions:
Please answer the following reflection question in your journal. Restate the question and use complete sentences.
1) Based on your notes and class discussion over the last week, what characteristics make a species invasive? What are some effects can they can have on an ecosystem?
(In other words...What does a species have to do to get on the Invasive Species list?)
2) What is one negative impact of the methods of control used in Australia for the Cane Toad?
(Look back at your notes for the video and discussion at all of the methods people
used to control the spread)
(In other words...What does a species have to do to get on the Invasive Species list?)
2) What is one negative impact of the methods of control used in Australia for the Cane Toad?
(Look back at your notes for the video and discussion at all of the methods people
used to control the spread)
Application- Invasive Species Wanted Poster
Create a wanted poster for an invasive species (plant or animal). Use the graphic organizer to plan out your facts making sure you include key indicators of the species and the rubric to guide your final product
For additional guidance a Template is available on your Google Classroom.
Invasive Species Wanted Poster Reflection Questions:
Please log in answer the exit reflection questions specific to you and your invasive species project in your Google Classroom.
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Additional Resources
Snake Documentary Python Invasion In The Everglades- National Geographic
The threat of invasive species - Jennifer Klos
includes Time Special Click Here for full TedEd Lesson |
NOAA.What is an invasive species? National Ocean Service website, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/invasive.html, 06/25/18.
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