Notes for the Teachers
California’s Environmental issues
 There is a problem in many areas with invasive species of plants and animals. These species can change an entire
ecosystem or food chain in a very short period of time.
 Pollution of ocean water from trash on California beaches. Marine habitats are being polluted. The oceans are
vast but still vulnerable to pollution. Trash can end up in the Great garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean.
 Air pollution caused by cars and other transportation that runs on fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel, and coal.
These put more amounts of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere and it is getting more and more difficult for
plants to recycle it.
 There is a very large problem with the amount of trash that is produced by us as humans. Many things are
thrown away into landfills that can be recycled.
Terms to know
 Ecology- the branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their
environment, including other organisms.
 Invasive species- a species that does not naturally occur in a specific area and whose introduction does or is
likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
 Endemic species- a species that is native to a particular area of the world.
 Pollution- the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.
 Ecosystem- the interaction of organisms with their environment.
Cornell questions
 When students describe the ecology of the parks they should talk about what type of ecosystem the area is
(desert, beach, mountain, etc.). They should talk about how the ecosystem affects what type of species can live
there. ( I can go over that more in depth when I see them)
 When they talk about the endemic species they should find about 2-3 plants and 2-3 animals that are native to
that area. They will then talk about why that is a good environment for those species.
 They will describe an environmental issue (big or small) for that area. Then they should research or come up
with a way that they can help improve that issue while they are visiting their park. If they know there is a
problem with pollution from too many cars they can park their car and walk/ or bike where ever they want to go
within the park. If they know it’s a problem with trash they can be sure to clean up after themselves and pick up
any other trash they see while they are there. If they would like choose an issue like invasive species they can
talk about what people as a whole can do to help when they visit the park or how professionals are working to
solve the problem.