Environmental Science Concept development
Concepts
Biodiversity and
interdependence
Third and Fourth level e&os
National 4
Sample and identify living things
from different habitats
Compare diversity
Reasons for distribution
SCN301A
Interdependence
Adaptation for survival
Impact of population growth and
natural hazards on biodiversity
SCN401A
Biodiversity and
interdependence
Biodiversity and
interdependence
Photosynthesis
Plants role in sustaining life
SCN302A
National 5
Higher
Biodiversity in terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems
Sampling techniques and
sources of error
Abiotic factors and their effect on
the distribution of organisms
Paired statement keys
Food webs and factors affecting
them and energy flow
Biodiversity in ecosystems of
international importance.
Qualitative and quantitative
sampling techniques
Biotic and abiotic factors and
their effects on the frequency and
distribution of organisms.
Inter-specific and intra-specific
competition
Principal features of higher
plants, vertebrates and
invertebrates
Complex paired statement keys
Population dynamics and energy
flows in complex food webs
Complex feeding relationships
and detrimental effects on
humans.
Endotherms and ectotherms
Succession
Energy flow in in relation to
photosynthesis and respiration
Relationship between
photosynthesis and respiration
Propagating and growing
plants
Uses of plants
SCN4-02A
Propagating and growing
plants
commercial use
Different types of chemicals in
agriculture and their alternatives
Impact on global food production
SCN303A
Nitrogen cycle
Fertilisers design
Environmental impact
chemistry and organisms in the
nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen cycle
Fertilisers design
Environmental impact
SCN403A
1
Energy sources
and sustainability
Society’s energy needs
Risks and benefits of different
energy sources inc from plants
SCN404A
Renewable energy sources
SCN304B
Society’s energy needs
Risks and benefits of different
energy sources inc from plants
chemistry and organisms in the
carbon cycle and in the context
of the geosphere
Formation and use of fossil fuels,
responsible use and
conservation of finite resources
Energy use and increased
demand
energy from water including
hydroelectric and tidal power
Energy from biological resources
including biofuels
Wind power contribution to
electricity supply
Formation and use of fossil fuels,
responsible use and
conservation of finite resources
SCN404B
Processes of the
planet
Earth’s Materials
Processes which contribute to
climate change
Impact on survival of living things
SCN305B
Carbon cycle and combustion of
carbon-based fuels
SCN405B
Formation, characteristics and
uses of soils, minerals and basic
types of rocks
SCN317A
Uses of materials from crude oil
reservoirs of water, water cycle,
distribution of water resources
and uses of water
Oceanic, freshwater and
terrestrial biological resources
Uses of nitrogen and oxygen
Extract useful substances from
natural resources
SCN317B
Monitor environment by
collecting and analysing samples
Inform others about levels of
pollution
Consider how science can
protect our environment
SCN418A
Electricity from nuclear power
Hydrogen economy
Carbon cycle and combustion of
carbon-based fuels
Uses of materials from crude oil
SCN417A
Chemical Changes
Increased global energy use:
comparison developed and
developing nations
Problem of reliance on fossil
fuels
Renewable energy supply
productivity versus fossil fuels
Legislation at National and
International levels
Monitor environment by
collecting and analysing samples
Inform others about levels of
pollution
Consider how science can
protect our environment
indicator species
Worldwide distribution of water
resources
Artesian wells and water transfer
schemes
Uses of water in industrial and
agricultural processes
Changes of sea level relative to
land
Biological resources: living
Origin and structure of
atmosphere
Uses of neon and argon
Ocean circulation
Wave power
Impact on biodiversity of pollution
2
Social Studies
People, place and
environment
processes which form and shape
landscapes
Impact on selected landscapes in
Scotland, Europe and beyond.
SOC 3-07a
the interaction of physical
systems on the Earth’s surface
Impact on contrasting landscape
types.
Earth systems - geosphere,
hydrosphere, atmosphere and
biosphere and their interactions
Resources to include physical,
biological, renewable and nonrenewable
Structure of the Earth
Minerals, ores and rocks
properties
rock cycle and formation of rock
types
Resources to include iron ore,
limestone, petroleum
Sustainability of key natural
resources and possible
implications for human activity.
Sustainability and sustainable
development - social, economic
and environmental
Concept of global citizenship
the interaction of physical
systems on the Earth’s surface
Impact on contrasting landscape
types. SOC 4-07a
Possible consequences of an
environmental issue and ways to
manage the impact.
SOC 3-08a
Sustainability of key natural
resources and possible
implications for human activity.
SOC 4-08a
Environmental impact of climate
change at national level
National policies and legislation
Siting of hydroelectric and tidal
power stations and wind farms
Increased water demand, water
supplies in developed and
developing countries and access
to clean water supplies
Sustainable approaches to
personal, domestic and industrial
water use
National policies, legislation and
statutory bodies
Methods and issues of
increased waste disposal
Sustainable approaches in waste
management
National policies and legislation
The role of statutory, commercial
and voluntary organisations
Geosphere, hydrosphere,
biosphere and atmosphere as
Earth systems and their
interactions
Physical, biological, renewable
and non-renewable resources
Lithosphere
Plate tectonics
ore minerals and ores
Resources to include aluminium,
industrial materials
Sources of the Earth's internal
heat, heat flow, geothermal
power
Green Movement in response to
environmental problems
Impact of pressure groups
Sustainable development and
sustainable approaches
Global citizenship
Increased water demand due to
population pressure.
Water stressed areas and falling
water tables/aquifers.
Issues of water use including role
of agriculture
Water management strategies
Pollution of water supplies
Public Health Issues
Waste disposal
International Legislation (role of
the EU and UN)
Increased global waste
production as a result of
increased population and
changing consumer demands.
Problems of increased waste
production - social, economic
and environmental impact
Life cycle analysis
The waste hierarchy model
3
comparing different countries
at each stage:
International Policy and
legislation
The role of agriculture in the
production of food and raw
material
and
environmental
impacts and sustainability.
SOC 4-09a
Impact of developments in
transport infrastructure in a
selected area and development
of sustainable systems.
SOC 4-09b
The climate, physical features
and living things of a natural
environment and their
interrelationship.
SOC 3-10a
The interaction between humans
and the environment and the
impact of human activity on an
area.
SOC 4-10a
The development of the main
features of an urban area in
Scotland or elsewhere and the
implications for the society
concerned.
SOC 4-10b
The role of agriculture in the
production of food and raw
material
and
environmental
impacts and sustainability.
Impact of developments in
transport infrastructure in a
selected area and development
of sustainable systems.
The interaction between humans
and the environment and the
impact of human activity on an
area.
The development of the main
features of an urban area in
Scotland or elsewhere and the
implications for the society
concerned.
Economic activity, its
development and the impact of
change within its locality and
beyond.
Global population increase and
the pressure on food supplies
Sustainable management of food
resources and its advantages
and disadvantages
National policies and legislation
Human activities, including acid
rain, which affect ecosystems
Effects and prevention measures
that could be taken
impact of non-native species
Conflicting interests between
land and/or water based activities
and between these activities and
an environment of national
importance
multi-use integration between
land and/or water user groups
National organisations, initiatives
and legislation to protect
environment
Development and impact of
intensive agriculture in
UK/Europe
Recent responses from these
impacts
Increasing demand for global
food supplies and global
strategies
Potential impact on the Earth’s
carrying capacity
Land-based and aquatic food
production systems and
sustainability
International policies and
legislation
Human impact on natural
environment from the Ice Age to
present day
Impacts on biodiversity of
urbanisation
The effect of non-native species
and reintroduction of extinct (in
Scotland) species
Conservation policies
Legislation, initiatives and
policies
Sustainable approaches in
domestic, commercial, transport,
industry and agriculture
Economic activity, its
development and the impact of
change within its locality and
4
beyond.
SOC 4-10c
Threats facing main climate
zones, including climate change
and the impact on way of life
SOC412A
Threats facing main climate
zones, including climate change
and the impact on way of life
Geographical enquiry to assess
impact and possible outcomes of
climate change
Strategies to slow or reverse the
impact
SOC412B
Geographical enquiry to assess
impact and possible outcomes of
climate change
Strategies to slow or reverse the
impact
natural greenhouse effect
Enhanced greenhouse effect and
impact
Enhanced greenhouse effect as
a consequence of energy use in
power generation and transport
Predictions of climate change
and social/environmental and
economic impact
Sustainable approaches in
reducing greenhouse gas
emissions in energy use
Appraisal of strategies used
including the use of technology
5