NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS CURRICULUM SUPPORT Managing Environmental Resources Teacher’s Notes [INTERMEDIATE 1] The Scottish Qualifications Authority regularly reviews the arrangements for National Qualifications. Users of all NQ support materials, whether published by Learning and Teaching Scotland or others, are reminded that it is their responsibility to check that the support materials correspond to the requirements of the current arrangements. Acknowledgement Learning and Teaching Scotland gratefully acknowledges this contribution to the National Qualifications support programme for MER. This publication was produced in partnership with SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority). Learning Teaching Scotland acknowledge the contribution made by SQA to the production costs and for permission to use images and diagrams from past papers. Every effort has been made to trace all the copyright holders but if any have been inadvertently overlooked, the publishers will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements at the first opportunity. © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 This resource may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes by educational establishments in Scotland provided that no profit accrues at any stage. 2 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Contents Introduction 4 Section A: Clarification of support notes 6 Section B: Clarification of support notes 24 Legislation update 46 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 3 INTRODUCTION Introduction The course supports the principles of Curriculum for Excellen ce (www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/index ) and provides opportunities for students to meet the four capacities: successful learners confident individuals responsible citizens effective contributors. More specifically, it meets many of the criteria specified under ‘experiences and outcomes’ for sciences and social studies, from which a selection are given below. Experiences and outcomes Sciences Develop an understanding of the Earth’s resources and the need for responsible use of them. Express opinions and make decisions on social, moral, ethical, economic and environmental issues based on sound understanding. Develop as a scientifically literate citizen with a lifelong interest in the sciences. Social studies Develop my understanding of my own values, beliefs and cultures and those of others. Develop my understanding of the principles of democracy and citizenship through experience of critical and independent thinking. Learn how to locate, explore and link features and places locally and further afield. The course provides a real opportunity for cross-curricular collaboration in supporting students’ learning. It also provides many opportunities for investigative field work and outdoor learning. 4 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 INTRODUCTION Managing Environmental Resources (MER) is a National Qualifications course currently offered at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and Higher levels. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 5 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Section A: Clarification of support notes These notes give further clarification to those detailed in the Intermediate 1 National Course Specification. They are aimed at professionals already teaching MER Intermediate 1 in schools and colleges, or managers and teachers considering implementing MER in the future. They should be used in conjunction with those resources published on National Qualifications Online, which is part of Learning and Teaching Scotland’s online service (www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq). The clarification has taken into account the requirements demonstrated by the external assessment. These notes give an indication of the level of knowledge required in each unit of the course and may be adapted by teachers to provide learning intentions/learning outcomes/learning objectives for use in the day-to-day delivery of this subject. In addition they may provide the basis of support notes for assessments. Environmental issues, unit 1, is developing constantly as the effects of human activities are being seen and new initiatives, organisations and legislation are put in place to deal with these effects. These developments should be reflected in the teaching approach to the subject. Ecosystems, unit 2, is predominantly investigative. Units 1 and 3 also provide opportunities for investigation. Investigations must meet the requirements as specified for Learning Outcome 3. Land use, unit 3, is completely dependent on the local area of the teaching centre. These notes underline the principles involved in local land- or water-based industries. 6 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Unit 1: Environmental issues Content Notes Suggested clarification of notes Types of environment Types of environment: natural semi-natural built. The environment includes landscapes, habitats, plants, animals and people, together with the non-living elements such as water and air. These all interact within the environment. The local area/Scotland has many different types of environment. Some of the different environments found in the local area/Scotland could include woodland, farmland, the sea, the sea shore, urban, forest, moorland, river, loch, park. The three different types of environment with examples are: natural – sea, river, natural loch semi-natural – parkland, farmland, forest plantation built – town, industrial site, road/motorway, car park. Living and non-living features that make up an environment: living – plants, animals, people non-living – air, water, rocks, landscape. Each part of the environment interacts with the other parts. Examples of the knock-on effect that damage to one part of the environment can have on another could include: death of plants leads to death of animals using these plants for food building on land reduces the habitats for wildlife. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 7 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Effects of human activity on the local environment 8 The effect of pollution from: transport industry agriculture home on air, land, water, buildings and living things. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 The main sources of pollution are transport and industry including power stations, agriculture and the home. Pollution has a harmful effect on air, land, water, buildings and living things. Effects of pollution from transport, industry, agriculture and the home could include: fumes/emissions cause acid rain acid rain erodes the stonework of buildings fumes/emissions coat plant leaves and reduce photosynthesis pesticides build up in food chains/cause death of wildlife fertiliser run-off causes pollution of rivers. sewage harms river/sea wildlife plastic bags cause harm to wildlife. Ways in which pollution problems may be reduced include: catalytic converters on vehicles/ reduced car use legislation to control industrial waste/use of scrubbers reduced fertiliser/pesticide use sewage works upgrade reduce, reuse, recycle schemes/composting. SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Effects of human activity on the local environment The use of renewable resources in: energy production forestry fishing and the benefits/problems encountered. A renewable resource is one that will not run out. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and will run out. The advantages of using renewable resources (compared to non-renewables) could include less damage to wildlife, less pollution, non-renewable resources conserved. The main renewable sources used in energy production: wind, solar, hydro power, wave, tidal and biomass. The disadvantages of using each renewable energy resource could include infrequent sun for solar power, infrequent wind for wind power, alteration/destruction of habitats by wind, wave, tidal power, visual pollution of windfarms, tidal/wave turbines, noise pollution. Trees are renewable resources as new trees can be grown to replace those felled. One problem of using trees as a renewable resource: they take a long time to grow to maturity. Fish eaten by humans are a renewable resource as they can be replaced. One problem resulting from humans using fish for food: overfishing causes the collapse of fish stocks/may lead to extinction of certain fish species. The effect of human activity on biodiversity through studying Biodiversity means the wide range of organisms found in the environment. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 9 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Effects of human activity on the global environment 10 changes in Scotland in: wetland native woodland moorland. There are three main types of environment where biodiversity is under threat: wetland, native woodland (eg pine/oak), moorland. Reasons for the decline in certain species in Scotland include loss of habitat due to draining wetland, cutting down of native woodland/replacing woodland with non native species, changing agricultural practices reducing habitat, introduction of disease from non-native species. Emphasis on the loss of biodiversity by studying individual species that are under threat of local or national extinction: water vole and lapwing in wetland red squirrel and capercaillie in native woodland corncrake and Primula scotica The contribution of human activity to: global warming acid rain ozone depletion and the main effects on the global environment. Global warming – changing climate and rising sea levels. Species under threat include: wetland – water vole and lapwing native woodland – red squirrel and capercaillie corncrake and Primula scotica Conservation measures help to protect species from extinction. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Human activities have serious effects on the global environment. Some human activities contribute to global warming, acid rain and ozone depletion. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, oxides of nitrogen. Sulphur dioxide is a gas that contributes to acid rain. Examples of the human activities that contribute to global warming and acid rain include pollution/emissions from SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Acid rain – habitat destruction and death of wildlife. Ozone depletion – increase in UV radiation and thus skin cancer. industries, power stations, transport. Examples of the human activities that contribute to ozone depletion include use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Some impacts of human activities on the global environment include: global warming – ice caps melting, rising sea levels, climate change, freak weather conditions, excess flooding acid rain – death of wildlife/trees, habitat destruction, acidification of lochs, reduction in biodiversity ozone depletion – increase in UV radiation, increasing risk of skin cancer. The contribution of human activity to loss of biodiversity through: habitat damage/loss on a global scale: rainforest seas. potential species extinction globally: giant panda blue whale Ecosystems under threat globally as a result of human activities are rainforests and the sea. Some human activities can result in the loss of biodiversity, particularly in the rainforests and seas, eg deforestation, overfishing, pollution. The rainforests are affected by deforestation/habitat destruction for farming, housing, mineral extraction. The seas are affected by pollution, impact of global warming, overfishing. Species under threat of extinction include giant panda, blue whale, Bengal tiger, etc. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 11 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Initiatives for the protection of the environment Organisations for the protection of the environment 12 Initiatives relating to the concept of sustainable development at each of the following levels and including: local –waste-reduction schemes to include bottle banks, can banks and composting schemes national – initiatives related to biodiversity to include the Millennium Forest for Scotland and environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) international – the Earth Summit (UNCED), Rio,1992. An understanding of the role of one organisation for the protection of the environment at each of the following levels: local – an appropriate local organisation (voluntary or paid staff) whose work focuses on the local environment, eg ranger TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Understand what is meant by conservation of resources and sustainable development – meeting the needs of today without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Initiatives for the protection of the environment exist at three levels: local, national and international. Initiatives at each of the following levels include: local – bottle bank, can bank, composting scheme, plastic bag reuse/recycling, Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) national – Millennium Forest for Scotland ESAs international – Earth Summit (UNCED)/Agenda 21, Kyoto Protocol. Note: Link to factors affecting land- and water-based industries – MER Int 1 unit 3. Many organisations exist to help in the conservation of the environment for future generations. Organisations for the protection of the environment exist at three levels – local, national and international. Examples of organisations at each of the following levels include: local – park ranger service, community woodland trust or other organisation specific to local area SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Legislation for the protection of the environment services, community woodland trusts, Red Alert groups, etc. national – Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). International World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). An example of one piece of legislation for the protection of the environment at each of the following levels: local – an appropriate example of local byelaws to fulfil a local environmental protection need, eg relating to fishing, litter, nature reserves, etc. national – Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 international – fishing quotas. national – SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) international – WWF, Friends of the Earth. Legislation exists for the protection of the environment at three levels: local, national and international. Examples of legislation at each of the following levels include: local – tree preservation orders, litter byelaws, fishing rights byelaws, fly-tipping byelaws national – Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 international – fishing quotas, Habitats Directive. Notes The clarification of the notes is only one interpretation of the specification – additional information may be added as deemed necessary. Abbreviations used are accepted as standard and are accepted in National Qualifications assessments. Examples included are for guidance and include the minimum required in the specification. Other examples may be acceptable, particularly those at local level. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 13 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Unit 2: Ecosystems Content Notes Suggested clarification of notes Interrelationships of an ecosystem An ecosystem is the interaction between the habitat and the community. Ecosystem = habitat + community A community is made up of the plants and animals which live in a habitat. A habitat is where a plant or animal lives. The place of producers, consumers, herbivores, omnivores and decomposers in the food chain and simple food webs. Energy flow and loss in food chains; the Sun as the source of energy. 14 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 A producer uses the Sun’s energy to make its own food. A consumer eats a plant or animal to get its energy. A herbivore eats plants. A carnivore eats other animals. An omnivore eats plants and other animals. A decomposer gets its energy from breaking down dead plants and animals. Examples of decomposers could include bacteria, fungi, earthworms, maggots. A food chain always starts with a plant: the producer. A food chain shows how energy passes from plants to animals to other animals. A food web is made up from several food chains. The arrows in a food chain show the direction of energy flow. SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES The physical components of an ecosystem The effects of abiotic factors on the distribution of organisms, to include temperature, light intensity and pH and water content of soil. Methods of measuring and recording these abiotic factors. The Sun is the source of energy for all food chains. Energy can be lost from a food chain through heat, movement or undigested food. An organism is a living thing: a plant or an animal. Abiotic means physical or non-biological. Abiotic factors include temperature, light intensity, pH and the water content of soil. Temperature is measured using, for example, a thermometer. Light intensity is measured using, for example, a light meter. pH is measured using, for example, pH indicator solution. Water content is measured using, for example, a moisture probe. Measurements should be repeated and an average calculated. Repetition improves reliability. Controlling variables improves validity. The distribution of an organism is where it is found. The abundance is how many are living in that particular area. An abiotic factor can affect the abundance and distribution of an organism. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 15 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Biological components of an ecosystem Living organisms in an ecosystem should be observed, counted and identified. Methods of collection should include pitfall traps, nets and tree beating. Methods of counting to include quadrats. 16 The living parts of an ecosystem are the plants and animals. A pitfall trap is used to catch small animals, invertebrates, which live on the surface of soil, such as beetles. A net is used to collect invertebrates living in water, such as stone flies, water louse. Tree beating is used to collect invertebrates living in trees, such as caterpillars. All animals must be returned to their habitat after counting to conserve the species and not upset the balance within the ecosystem. A quadrat is used to measure the abundance of plants or slow-moving animals, such as limpets, on a rocky shore. Construct and use simple keys to identify organisms. A key can be used to identify organisms. There are two kinds of key: branched or paired statement. Importance of biodiversity in ecosystems. Species is one type of organism. Biodiversity is the range of species within an ecosystem. Biodiversity is important because it provides a variety of food and shelter for other organisms. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Notes The clarification of the notes is only one interpretation of the specification – additional information may be added as deemed necessary. Examples included are for guidance and include the minimum required in the specification. Other examples may be acceptable, particularly those at local level. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 17 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Unit 3: Land use Content Notes Suggested clarification of notes Principal features of land and water use The range of local land and water uses, to include farming, fishfarming, forestry, parks and gardens, electricity generation, housing, transport, conservation and tourism. No areas of land or water are ‘useless’. Examples of land- and water-based industries include: farming and forestry – land-based fish-farm and an off-shore windfarm – water-based. Examples of local land and water use include housing, shopping centres, factories and offices, hotels, museums, theme parks, roads, railways, parks, playing fields, nature reserves, wind farms, farmland, woodland, rivers, lochs, etc. Note: Link to types of environment in Unit 1: Environmental issues. Examples of local land or water use as appropriate to the local area. Methods of production, range of products, distribution and marketing, employment, effects on the environment as appropriate. 18 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Methods of production: the procedures involved in making the product, eg in forestry, tree planting and felling. Range of products, eg in forestry, timber and sawdust. Distribution: how the products get to the selling point, eg in forestry, timber transported by road on special trucks to the sawmill. SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Requirements of a local land- or water-based industry Physical requirements to include buildings, machinery, energy, equipment, raw materials. Marketing: methods used to sell the products, eg advertisement. Employment: the jobs involved, eg in forestry, power saw operators, fertiliser sprayers, truck drivers. Effects on the environment, eg forestry, felling in larger areas may lead to soil erosion, fumes from power tools and trucks. Examples as appropriate to the local area. The physical requirements of an industry include buildings, machinery, equipment, raw materials and energy. Summary diagrams show the inputs and outputs of a specific industry. Inputs Site (land or water), eg arable farming on level, fertile land, sheep farming on hilly ground, watersports (recreation) on a freshwater loch, salmon farm on a sheltered sea-loch. Buildings to include offices, factories, worksheds and equipment stores. Machinery and equipment, eg tractors, trailers (farming), trawlers, nets (fishing), oil platform, rig and supply vessels (North Sea oil extraction), excavators and earthmovers (open-cast mining). TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 19 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Raw materials, eg oil for the plastics industry; plentiful fast-flowing water supply for hydro-electric power (HEP) generation; seeds, plant plugs, fertilisers for garden centre. Energy, eg coal, oil, electricity, biofuel such as woodchips or peat cast coal mine), diesel to fuel transporters. Outputs Main product(s), eg farmed shellfish; venison from a deer farm; kippers and smokies from a smoke-house; whisky from a distillery; cheeses and ice-cream from a dairy business; timber from a forest sawmill; stone from a quarry. By-products, eg compost from a recycling plant; woodchips from a timber yard; heated water from a power station; manure from a dairy farm; spent compost from a mushroom farm. Waste, eg packaging and pallets at retail outlets; used oil at haulage depots; heat lost through gases at refineries. Labour requirements to include permanent, temporary and seasonal staff. 20 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Seasonal, eg seasonal farm workers may be employed for the tending and harvesting of soft fruits. Temporary, eg temporary gas delivery drivers may be employed if a spell of cold weather raises demand for the product. Permanent, eg permanent staff will be employed all year SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES round at an important conservation site such as Loch Leven National Nature Reserve. Factors influencing land- or water-based industries Site location; climatic constraints; planning controls and environmental protection measures; conservation designations to include sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) and special protection areas (SPAs); incentive schemes to include ESAs and the Countryside Premium Scheme (CPS). Note: These examples are given as an indication only and may not be applicable to the local industry chosen for study. Site location: specific local land or water use may be suited/constrained to a particular site location, eg a nature reserve in an area of native woodland; a road-stone quarry on an outcrop of suitable rock; a visitor centre beside a historic castle or tourist attraction; a recreation centr e and skate park in a residential area. Climatic constraints: these may apply to particular land or water uses, eg cereal farming in south-east Scotland in areas of light rainfall; crofting in colder, wetter areas of north-west Scotland; windfarms in exposed areas. Local planning controls (see local council websites), eg: Borders Council local plans indicate conservation areas unsuitable for development Highland Council Planning Department has policies and framework for aquaculture other local examples may include tree preservation orders, proposed development of listed buildings, the location of radio masts, caravan sites and mineral extraction. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 21 SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Note: Link to Legislation in Section 2: Environmental issues. Examples of environmental protection measures include SSSI and SPA, which have a special conservation designation. ESA is an example of a special incentive to support conservation. Know what the above abbreviations stand for. The role of land- or water-based industries in the local economy Impact on employment, transport infrastructure, housing and service industries. Examples should be considered from a positive and a negative point of view. 22 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Note: The Countryside Premium Scheme was replaced in 2000 by the Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS). This has been replaced by the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007–2013. Many land- or water-based industries help support the local economy. Any industry can have advantages and disadvantages to the local community. Advantages could include more jobs, availability of local produce, easy access to products, improved facilities. Disadvantages could include increase in transport/pollution/noise, unsightly appearance. Employment. Examples could include farming (increasing mechanisation, smaller workforce), skiing and winter sports (seasonal, weather dependant). Transport infrastructure. Examples could include: the construction of a new tram line taking visitors from an airport to city centre (positive impact – used by SECTION A: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES local commuters, decreases number of private cars in the city centre) increased road haulage of coal from an open-cast coal mine (negative impact – noise, dust, increased traffic). Housing. Examples could include tourism and holiday homes (negative impact – rural house prices may be inflated for local people; positive impact – rebuilding of derelict cottages and crofts). Service industries. Examples could include pressure on local schools and sewage works (negative) due to housing developments in the local area, but an increase in population could bring a health centre with a bigger range of services (positive). Note: These examples are given as an indication only and may not be applicable to the local industry chosen for study. Notes The clarification of the notes is only one interpretation of the specification – additional information may be added as deemed necessary. Abbreviations used are accepted as standard and are accepted in National Qualifications assessments. Examples included are for guidance and include the minimum requir ed in the specification. Other examples may be acceptable, particularly those at local level. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 23 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Section B: Clarification of suggested activities These notes give further clarification of the suggested activities detailed in the Intermediate 1 National Course Specification. These suggested activities are aimed at professionals already teaching MER Intermediate 1 in schools and colleges, or managers and teachers considering implementing MER in the future. These notes should be used in conjunction with the resources published on National Qualifications Online, which is part of Learning and Teaching Scotland’s online service (www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq). The suggested activities where possible have been supplement ed by support sheets for student and or teacher use. The support sheets reflect the clarification of the mandatory notes and have been developed to encourage active learning. Exemplification of Learning Outcome 3 has been included to allow students to critically analyse the work of their peers. It should also allow centres to see the required standard of investigation write up. Where appropriate, links have been identified with the four capacities on Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and Assessment is for Learning (AifL). The activities provide opportunities for active learning, creativity and enterprise in learning and the development of the student’s own attitudes and values. Indeed, citizenship is at the heart of the coursework. 24 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Unit 1: Environmental issues Content Notes Suggested activities Types of environment Types of environment: natural semi-natural built. The environment includes landscapes, habitats, plants, animals and people, together with the non-living elements such as water and air. These all interact within the environment. The effect of pollution from: transport industry agriculture home on air, land, water, buildings and living things. Tour of the ‘local’ environment on foot or by minibus, PowerPoint of local photographs with discussion. Summary of living and nonliving aspects of the environment. Paired activity/group exercise on identifying the three types of environment: natural, seminatural, built. Effects of human activity on the local environment – effects of pollution Practical investigation approach (meeting requirements of Learning Outcome 3). 1. Compare the ‘dust’ coating of plant leaves at two sites at different distances from road. 2. Compare traffic noise from different types of transport. Activity sheet Photoshots Link to AifL Link to CfE Provide challenge and enjoyment Support sheet 1 Self-/peerassessment. Support sheets 2A and 2B Self-/peerassessment Successful learners Highquality interaction Deciding next steps Share criteria Reflect on evidence Outdoor learning Provide challenge and enjoyment Develop numeracy and literacy skills TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 25 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES 3. 4. Compare pollution levels by measuring the abundance of one or two freshwater indicator species at two or more sites. Distribution of chewing gum on school walkways. Critical analysis of two practical investigation reports – discussion exercise on the requirements of a good practical investigation. Support sheets 3A, 3B and 3C Investigate one or more local or national pollution issues as an enterprise group activity and produce a newspaper report/internet article/ecoschool blog. Revision exercise: mix-andmatch pollution problems and solutions. 26 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Support sheets 4 and 5 Self-/peerassessment Reflect on evidence Highquality interaction Successful learners Effective contributors Reflect on evidence Highquality interaction Successful learners Effective contributors Self-/peerassessment Effective contributors SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Effects of human activity on the local environment – renewable resources The use of renewable resources in: energy production forestry fishing and the benefits/problems encountered. PowerPoint to initiate debate on renewable and nonrenewable resources in which all individuals express their views. Group or paired activity producing a report comparing the advantages and disadvantages of a windfarm versus oil from the North Sea or nuclear power stations versus solar power. Effective contributors Photoshots – energy Set learning goals Reflect on evidence Highquality interaction Visit a local windfarm/fish farm/forestry plantation. Effects of human activity on the local environment – biodiversity The effect of human activity on biodiversity through studying changes in Scotland, namely: wetland native woodland moorland. Individual/paired activity/group investigation of endangered species and potential species extinction on: a local scale a national scale. Information should be shared by Working with others Highquality interaction Successful learners Responsible citizens Provide challenge and enjoyment Successful learners Responsible citizens Effective contributors TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 27 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Effects of human activity on the global environment Emphasis on the loss of biodiversity by studying individual species that are under threat of local or national extinction: water vole and lapwing in wetland red squirrel and capercaillie in native woodland corncrake and Primula scotica. The contribution of human activity to: global warming acid rain ozone depletion and the main effects on the global environment. Global warming – changing climate and rising sea levels. Acid rain – habitat destruction and death of wildlife. 28 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 reporting back to class/poster display/exchange reports and comment. Guest speaker from a local/national conservation organization linked to work of the organisation. Debate issues arising. Introduction to the big issues using fact cards in which opinions are shared in paired, group or class activity. Responsible citizens Develop own values Working with others Highquality interaction Successful learners Responsible citizens Effective contributors HighMini PowerPoint quality interaction Self-/peerassessment Responsible citizens Support sheet 6 Media presentation using video/DVD/internet on any of the key issues. Greenhouse effect and acid rain starter. Discuss actions which can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions/acid rain. SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Ozone depletion – increase in UV radiation and thus skin cancer. Present information as a poster. Problems for the future summary sheet. Support sheet 7 Self-/peerassessment Responsible citizens Set learning goals Working with others Highquality interaction Successful learners Responsible citizens Effective contributors Prepare PowerPoint presentation/use film or CD clips to present the dramatic global changes to rainforests and the sea. The contribution of human activity to loss of biodiversity through: habitat damage/loss on a global scale: rainforest seas. Potential species extinction globally: giant panda blue whale. Individual/paired activity/group investigation of habitat damage, endangered species and potential species extinction on a global scale using examples such as the giant panda, blue whale, polar bear, mountain gorilla, etc. Information should be shared by reporting back to class/poster display/exchange reports and comment. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 29 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Visit Dynamic Earth. Initiatives for the protection of the environment 30 Initiatives relating to the concept of sustainable development at each of the following levels and including: local –waste-reduction schemes to include bottle banks, can banks and composting schemes national – initiatives related to biodiversity to include the Millennium Forest for Scotland and ESAs. international – the Earth Summit (UNCED), Rio,1992. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Use local authority website to discover what local initiatives are operational, eg kerbside collections, local biodiversity action plan. Report back on findings. Set learning goals Reflect on evidence Design/create a compost bin. Link to role of decomposers in Ecosystems unit. Start an eco-friendly campaign on recycling/reducing litter within the school. Peerassessment of results PowerPoint presentation on the Earth Summit and Agenda 21. Agenda 21 PowerPoint Provide challenge and enjoyment Responsible citizens Develop own values Responsible citizens Encourage creativity Responsible citizens SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Organisations for the protection of the environment An understanding of the role of one organisation for the protection of the environment at each of the following levels: local – an appropriate local organisation (voluntary or paid staff) whose work focuses on the local environment, eg ranger services, community woodland trusts, Red Alert groups etc. National – Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). International World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Visit to or visit from a local park ranger service with questionnaire designed to investigate the role of a ranger. Link to byelaws – see below. High quality interaction Visit to RSPB site linked to biodiversity – the capercaillie/lapwing/corncrake and/or practical activities offered at the site. Visiting speaker. Successful learners Responsible citizens Responsible citizens Use SEPA website to identify its environmental protection role. Link to pollution and its control. Peerassessment of results Responsible citizens Investigate the activities of WWF using their website. Design an advertising campaign/poster to support the work being carried out by WWF. Working with others Responsible citizens Encourage enterprise and creativity TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 31 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Legislation for the protection of the environment An example of one piece of legislation for the protection of the environment at each of the following levels: local – an appropriate example of local byelaws to fulfil a local environmental protection need, eg relating to fishing, litter, nature reserves etc. national – Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 international – fishing quotas. Through discussion compile questions to ask local police officer/environmental liaison officer who could introduce the law and wildlife in a local context. Visit a local site where legislation is used for environmental protection – nature reserve/SSSI. Use ranger service to introduce local byelaws linked to organisation above. Working with others Highquality interaction Investigate as a project the historical background to Scottish fishing activities up to present-day use of EU quotas and the impacts on the Scottish fisheries industry. Working with others Highquality interaction Note: Link to Land and water use, MER Intermediate 1 Unit 3. 32 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Responsible citizens Outdoor learning Responsible citizens Successful learners Responsible citizens SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Summary sheet/assessment tool on organisations, initiatives and legislation. Support sheets 8A, 8B and 8C Peer/classassessment Notes The content in this unit does not need to be delivered in the order prov ided in the specification notes. It might be more appropriate to deliver both the units and the content in a different order, taking into account links between the units. Although the notes have been exemplified by suggested activities and support notes pr ovided where possible, the type and range of activity is not exhaustive and more appropriate approaches should be taken in relation to the local situation. The use of speakers, visits and fieldwork will depend on the teaching centre, but should be encourag ed as a learning and teaching approach. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 33 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Unit 2: Ecosystems – suggested learning activities Activity sheet(s) Link to AifL Link to CFE Provide challenge and enjoyment Summary of ecosystem, habitat and community sheet – terminology checklist. Support sheet 1 Self-/peer assessment Successful learners Construct a worm composting bin, perhaps in conjunction with an ecoschool project to reduce waste. Support sheet 2 Working with others Active learning Outdoor learning Develop own values Support sheet 3 Active learning Responsible citizens Content Notes Suggested activities Interrelationships of an ecosystem An ecosystem is the interaction between the habitat and the community. Tour of local area/PowerPoint presentation of local ecosystems, habitats and communities. Note: Link to Unit 1 Environmental issues – initiatives. Set up an aquarium to show interaction of plants, animals 34 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES The place of producers, consumers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and decomposers in the food chains and simple food webs. and non-living parts of the ecosystem. Construct food chains and food webs from studies of an ecosystem/food chain/web card exercise. Investigate a range of ecosystems, eg tree, pond, leaf litter, to identify the producers and consumers. Alternatively, this could be a paper exercise using any of the following reference books: Standard Grade Biology, Standard Grade Science – A study of environments, Intermediate 2 Biology or past paper MER questions. Energy flow and loss in food chains. The Sun as the energy source. Support sheet 4 – suggested approaches Peerassessment Provide challenge and enjoyment High quality interaction Outdoor learning Working with others Peerassessment Successful learners Discussion on the origin of human foods. Shared criteria Effective contributors Web/library exercise to find Working Encourage Support sheet 5 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 35 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES examples of herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and decomposers and design posters or cards (sheet 4) for food webs. The physical components of an ecosystem Methods of measuring and recording these abiotic factors: temperature, light intensity and pH and water content of soil. Terminology checklist. Summary of producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and decomposers. Support sheet 6 Set learning goals Develop literacy skills Play flash card game for definitions. Support sheets 7a and 7b Support sheets 8, 9, 10 and 11 Active learning Planned, purposeful play Develop numeracy skills Support sheet 12 Working Successful with others learners Reflect on evidence Measure temperature, light intensity, soil pH and water content of soil in a selected local ecosystem, including the use of repeat measurements to get averages. Terminology checklist. 36 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 with others creativity High quality interaction Active learning Reflect on evidence SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES The effects of abiotic factors on the distribution of organisms, to include temperature, light intensity and pH and water content of soil. Practical investigation approach to meet the requirements of Learning Outcome 3. Support sheet 13 Working with others Reflect on evidence Investigation into the pH of rainwater – problemsolving. Support sheet 14 Deciding next steps Provide challenge Develop numeracy and literacy skills Examples of investigations could include: the effect of soil moisture on the distribution/abundance of a chosen species in a field the effect of light intensity on the distribution/abundance of a chosen species. Critical analysis of two sample investigation reports. Self-/peerSupport assessment sheets 14a, 14b and 14c Reflect on evidence Highquality Successful learners Effective contributors . TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 37 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES interaction Biological components of an ecosystem Methods of collection should include pitfall traps, nets and tree beating. Living organisms in an ecosystem should be observed, counted and identified. Problem-solving exercise into the distribution of organisms for Learning Outcome 2. Collect organisms using pitfall traps, nets and tree beating. Terminology checklist. 38 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Reflect on evidence. Successful learners. Support sheet 16 Self-/peerassessment Outdoor learning Responsible citizens Carry out investigations to meet Learning Outcome 3. Investigate the effect of trampling on the distribution of daisies/dandelions across a path in the school grounds. Methods of counting to include quadrats. Support sheet 15 Investigate the effect of light intensity or soil moisture on the distribution of daisies/dandelions. Outdoor learning SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Problem-solving exercise drawing conclusions from results. Construct and use simple keys to identify organisms. Construct keys based on a series of exhibits, eg specific shells from a set of named shells; utilising organisms caught by the methods outlined above. Use a variety of keys as problem-solving exercises. Past paper questions and biology text books are good sources for a variety of keys. Importance of biodiversity in ecosystems. Thought-shower exercise compiling species lists for school grounds/local area. Results displayed as posters. Share information with ecoclub. Support sheet 17 Reflect on evidence Develop numeracy and literacy skills Successful learners Working Provide with others challenge Reflect on and evidence enjoyment Deciding next steps Support sheet 18 Self-/peerassessment Highquality interaction Successful learners Effective contributors TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 39 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Discuss any local biodiversity problem, eg grey squirrel culling. Note: Link to MER Intermediate 1 Unit 1. Problem-solving exercise. Support sheet 19 Highquality interaction Share criteria Responsible citizens Develop own values Set learning goals Successful learners Notes The content in this unit does not need to be delivered in the order provided in the specification notes. It m ight be more appropriate to deliver both the units and content in a different order , taking into account links between the units. For example, it may be appropriate to cover methods of collection/counting of organisms before doing a practical investigation on the distribution of an organism in relation to an abiotic factor. Although the notes have been exemplified by suggested activities and support notes provided where possible, the type and range of activity is not exhaustive and more appropriate approach es should be taken in relation to the local situation. The use of speakers, visits and fieldwork will depend on the teaching centre, but should be encouraged as a learning and teaching approach. 40 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Unit 3: Land use – suggested learning activities Content Notes Suggested activities Principal features of land and water use The range of local land and water uses, to include farming, fish-farming, forestry, parks and gardens, electricity generation, housing, transport, conservation and tourism. Photo activity/PowerPoint: identify the main land or water uses. Activity sheet(s) Support sheet 1 Link to AifL Link to CofE Provide challenge and enjoyment Tour of the local area by minibus with map/notebook. Name examples of land and water use in the local area. (Use OS map of the local area and local knowledge). Methods of production, range of products, distribution and marketing, Complete classification of employment, effects land and water use. on the environment as appropriate. Terminology: checklist. Complete inputs/outputs diagram. Support sheet 2 High-quality Effective interaction/active contributors learning Support sheet 3 Share criteria Successful learners Support sheet 4 Self-/peerassessment Self-/peerassessment Develop literacy skills Support sheet 4 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 41 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Requirements of a local landor water-based industry Physical requirements Factors of location: to include buildings, heads/tails activity. machinery, energy, equipment, raw Examples of land/water materials. uses to include fish farming, forestry, housing, Labour requirements transport, conservation, to include permanent, tourism. temporary and seasonal staff. Local area – agree area to be studied (eg school catchment, local town or village, natural physical area such as valley, etc). OS map extract for local area. List land or water uses shown and draw appropriate symbol. Grid exercise to calculate percentage of each land use. Pie or bar chart results. 42 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Support sheet 5 High-quality interaction Support sheets 6 and 7 Support sheet 8 Share criteria High-quality interaction Successful learners Effective contributors Support sheet 9 Share criteria Set learning goals Feedback on quality Develop numeracy skills SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Local land or water use. Investigation (Learning Outcome 3). Support sheet 10 Discussion: requirements of a practical investigation. Support sheet 11 Visit a local land or water use such as a farm, forest, country park. Factors influencing land- or waterbased industries Study of local transport. Investigation. (Learning Outcome 3). Site location; climatic Case studies using a constraints; planning variety of learning and controls and teaching activities, eg role environmental play, debate, stations, protection measures; library and internet conservation research, writing a press designations to release etc. include SSSI and special protection Discussion: requirements areas; incentive of a library-based schemes to include investigation. ESAs and the Support sheets 12–15 Student involvement in deciding next steps Motivation through choice of topic and learning activity Set learning goals Reflect on evidence Outdoor learning High-quality interaction Provide challenge and enjoyment Share criteria Reflect on evidence Working with others Planned, purposeful play Skills for learning Skills for TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 43 SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Countryside Premium Library-based Scheme. investigation (Learning Outcome 3). Self-/peerassessment work Develop numeracy and literacy skills Successful learners, effective contributors The role of land- or waterbased industries in the local economy Impact on employment, transport infrastructure, housing, service industries. Examples should be considered from a positive and a negative point of view. 44 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 Local land and water uses. Investigation. (Learning Outcome 3). Set learning goals Reflect on evidence Self-/peerassessment Responsible citizens Successful learners, effective contributors Responsible citizens SECTION B: CLARIFICATION OF SUPPORT NOTES Notes The content in this unit does not need to be delivered in the order provided in the specification notes. It might be more appropriate to deliver both the units and content in a different order , taking into account links between the units. Although the notes have been exemplified by suggested activities and support notes provided where possible, the type and range of activity is not exhaustive and more appropriate approaches should be taken in relation to the local situation. The use of speakers, visits and fieldwork will depend on the teaching centre, but should be encouraged as a learning and teaching approach. TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 45 LEGISLATION UPDATE Legislation update – all courses The following updates information developed by Higher Still as Support Material for Managing Environmental Resources, Guide to Legislation available on Learning and Teaching Scotland website (www.ltscotland.org.uk). Legislation relevant to MER courses 1998–2008 Pesticides Act (1998) Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations (1999) Water Industry Act (1999) Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations (2000) Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations (2000) National Parks (Scotland) Act (2000) Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations (2000, 2002, 2003) Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Act (2001) Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act (2002) Land Reform (Scotland) Act (2003) Landfill (Scotland) Regulations (2003) Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act (2003) Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act (2003) Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act (2005) Crofting Reform etc Act (2007) Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act (2007) Climate Change Bill (2008) Active Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations (2008) 46 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 LEGISLATION UPDATE Update on nature conservation The following updates information developed by Higher Still as Support Material for Managing Environmental Resources, Guide to Legislation available on Learning and Teaching Scotland website (www.ltscotland.org.uk). Brief history of nature conservation Year Specific development Information 2000 National Parks(Scotland) Act Established national parks in Scotland, National Park Authorities and their powers 2002 Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park established Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act UN Earth Summit (or Earth Summit + 10) in Johannesburg 2002 2002 2003 2003 Cairngorms National Park established Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 Scottish Outdoor Access Code 2003 Forestry Commission Scotland Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 Made it illegal to hunt wild mammals with a dog Low-key due to absence of US President and little action resulted other than agreement on fisheries Land use for recreational, educational and other purposes – the ‘right to roam’ – if used responsibly As a result of Land Reform Act, Scottish Natural Heritage produce guidance for land managers, countryside users and recreational managers on rights of access Created as a result of devolution. Conserving biodiversity and protecting/enhancing Scotland’s natural features Rules protecting certain species TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010 47 LEGISLATION UPDATE Useful websites to support legislation Website address www.netregs.gov.uk Information Up-to-date information, easily accessed, information specific to Scotland Provides links to other useful sites www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/s- Provides lists of legislation acts by year, the Acts and explanatory notes www.snh.org.uk Information on Scottish Outdoor Access Code 48 TEACHER’S NOTES (INT 1, MER) © Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010