Unit 2: Ecology Biology Text: Biology: Miller & Levine

H. Pang

Chapter 3: The Biosphere Chapter 4: Ecosystems and Communities Chapter 6: Humans in the Biosphere
I. Text Readings: Chapter 3, sections 1-3 Chapter 4, sections 2-4 Chapter 6, sections 1-2 II. Objectives: At the conclusion of these chapters, the student will be able to: A. Identify biotic and abiotic factors and their interactions in major biomes B. Name the 6 levels of ecological organization and give examples C. Trace on diagrams the biogeochemical cycles of water and nutrients D. Describe the importance of water, carbon, and nitrogen to living things E. Construct a food web illustrating the flow of energy in an ecosystem F. Calculate the transfer of energy/biomass from one trophic level to the next G. Categorize interaction types between organisms when given various examples H. Describe at least 3 ways in which humans impact natural ecosystems I. Predict the effects of a given disturbance on a given ecosystem J. List at least 3 renewable resources and explain their sustainable use III. Vocabulary Terms ecology community producer consumer detritivore trophic level transpiration limiting nutrient habitat mutualism succession pioneer species plankton detritus aphotic zone agriculture resource biosphere species ecosystem biome photosynthesis chemosynthesis herbivore carnivore decomposer food chain ecological pyramid biogeochemical cycle nutrient nitrogen fixation algal bloom biotic factor niche predation commensalism parasitism deciduous phytoplankton salt marsh zonation green revolution population autotroph heterotroph omnivore food web biomass denitrification abiotic factor symbiosis ecological

coniferous taiga zooplankton estuary mangrove swampphotic zone coastal ocean benthos monoculture renewable

Unit 2: Ecology Biology Text: Biology: Miller & Levine nonrenewable resource pollutant

H. Pang desertification deforestation

IV. Classroom Activities and Laboratory Investigations 1. Fishbowl Ecosystems 2. Concept map & gallery walk 3. Creating a food web 4. Tragedy of the Commons game V. Homework Assignments 1. Journey to the Fishbowl: Nitrogen cycle story 2. Creating a food web 3. From the Time of the Dinosaurs: Carbon cycle story VI. Formal Assessments 1. Biome research project & presentation 2. Common Task