Ecological Principles Media Type: Microsoft® PowerPoint® Presentation Duration: 71 slides Goal: To provide students with the basic components of ecosystems, ecological succession and management. Description: This production provided an introduction to ecosystems which will define ecology, ecosystems, vertical stratification, types of ecosystems, the energy flow within an ecological system and food webs. Ecological succession and the various ways in which monitoring and sustaining ecosystems is also detailed. Objectives: 1. To define ecosystems. 2. To define ecological succession. 3. To evaluate methods of monitoring and sustaining ecosystems. Horizontal Alignment Core-Subject Area Foundation Concept Scientific Thinking & Investigating Science Scientific Laws & Principles Basic Understanding Field and laboratory investigations Critical thinking and scientific problem solving Real-world investigations and applications Analytical skills Hypothesis development Researching and proving theories Collecting data Technology-based research Evaluating conclusions Compare/contrast findings Classification/organization skills Cycles, structures and processes Principles of biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology or psychology Human development Horticulture Patterns of behavior Physical or kinesthetic activity Ecological Principles Student and Teacher Notes are available to print in outline format. You can access these documents under the “Printable Resources” section. If student licenses have been purchased, an interactive version of the Student Notes is available in the “Interactive Activities” section. If printing the full PowerPoint® is desired, you may download the file and print the handouts as needed. Hand out or have students access the Action Plan. The Action Plan provides a list of tasks for students to perform to complete the lesson. Class 1: Begin by distributing the Ecological Principles Vocabulary Handout. Show slides 1 to 12 of the Introduction to Ecosystems segment. Assign the Ecological Levels Activity and allow the Slides 1-12 rest of class for students to work. Class 2: Show slides 13 to 26 of the Introduction to Ecosystems segment. Students should complete the corresponding Assessment. Students should continue Slides working on their Activity. 13-26 Class 3: Remind students to continue using the Vocabulary Handout. Show slides 27 to the 39 of the Ecological Systems segment. Assign the Nutrient Flow Slides Cycles Activities. Class 7: Remind students to continue using the Vocabulary Handout. Show the Monitoring & Sustaining Ecosystems segment. Students should complete the corresponding Assessment. Assign the Slides 52-71 Ecosystems Campaign Activity and allow the rest of class for students to work. Class 8: Distribute the Ecological Principles Final Assessment and allow time for students to complete it. Lead a class discussion so students can share their findings from the Succession Defined Project with the class. Students should use any remaining class time to work on their Activities. Class 9: Students should share their Ecosystems Campaign Activity with the class. All other Activities should be turned in before the end of class. Ducks Unlimited http://ww.ducks.org U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://ww.fws.org 27-39 Class 4: Remind students to continue using the Vocabulary Handout. Show slides 40 to 44 of the Ecological Systems segment. Students should complete the corresponding Assessment. Students Slides 40-44 should continue working on their Nutrient Flow Cycles Activities. Class 5: Remind students to continue using the Vocabulary Handout. Show the Ecological Succession segment and assign the corresponding Assessment. Assign the Succession Defined Project Slides 45-51 and allow the rest of class to work. Class 6: Allow the entire class for students to work on the Succession Defined Project. National FFA Environmental and Natural Resources Using the Career Connections Activity, allow students to explore the various careers associated with this lesson. See the Activity for more details. If student licenses have been purchased: Students will select the interviews to watch based on your directions. If only a teacher license is purchased: Show students all the career interviews and instruct them to only complete the interview form for the required number of interviews. iCEV51221,Tom Moorman, Ph.D. Chief Scientist, Ducks Unlimited iCEV51219,Craig LeSchack, Director of Conservati on Operations, Ducks Unlimited iCEV50715,Paul Jones, Senior Biologist, Alberta Conservation Association Ecological Principles Ecological Levels There are five levels of ecology. Students will develop examples of specific ecosystems, communities, populations and organisms found within each biosphere. This will help reinforce ecological terminology. Nutrient Flow Cycles Students will draw each of the five nutrient flow cycles in the spaces provided. They may use outside resources to ensure understanding and to provide as much detail as possible for each cycle. Remind students to cite all sources on the back of the Activity sheet. Ecosystems Campaign Divide the class into six groups and assign each, one of the following factors: air, water, soil, wildlife, fisheries and timber. Groups will conduct research to create a 30-second skit which could be a PSA commercial explaining why protecting their selected ecological factor is important. Students should be allowed to present their skits in front of class. Students will learn more about the importance of sustaining ecosystems. Succession Defined Students will create an infographic which describes how a forest recovers after a fire. This Project will require research and will demonstrate an understanding of ecological succession.
