NATURAL RESOURCES COURSE OF STUDY
Grades 9-10
Kara Butters
Course Description:
The intent of this course is to help students gain knowledge about the natural resource area.
Students will learn about topics ranging from soils, pollution, ecosystems, forest management
and energy. In addition, career opportunities within the natural resources industry will be
stressed.
Much of the work completed in this course will be related to classroom, FFA and SAE activities
providing students with knowledge and hands-on experience.
MINUTES OF
INSTRUCTION
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION
Ecosystem Processes
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Management
Soils
Water Resources
Pollution
Environmental Issues
Tree Basics
Tree Physiology
Forest Management
Wildlife Management
TOTAL MINUTES:
1
1,000
700
800
1,000
400
800
700
400
400
1,000
7,200
NATURAL RESOURCES COURSE OF STUDY
Course: Natural Resources
Teacher: Kara Butters
Grade Level: 9th -10th graders
Length: 1 year
Course Description:
The intent of this course is to help students gain knowledge about the natural resource area.
Students will learn about topics ranging from soils, pollution, ecosystems, forest management
and energy. In addition, career opportunities within the natural resources industry will be
stressed.
Much of the work completed in this course will be related to classroom, FFA and SAE activities
providing students with knowledge and hands-on experience.
Units and objectives: (7,200 minutes)
1. Unit 1010 – Ecosystem Processes (1,000 minutes)
a. Topic 1011 – Communities and Ecosystems
i. Topic 1011A - List biotic and abiotic factors in a given environment
ii. Topic 1011B - Describe possible interactions between two biotic and abiotic
factor
iii. Topic 1011C - Define and contrast the concepts of ecological community and
ecosystem.
iv. Topic 1011D - Describe the current roles of humans as members of
ecosystems in Michigan and the world
b. Topic 1012 - Habitat
i. Topic 1012A - Describe the physiological needs of individual organisms and
relate these to the habitat requirements of populations in an ecosystem.
ii. Topic 1012B - Define the concept of limiting factors and relate the concept to
population growth of species in a given ecosystem
iii. Topic 1012C - Describe how an environment's ability to provide food, water,
space, and essential nutrients determines carrying capacity.
iv. Topic 1012D - Describe the edge and niche
c. Topic 1013 – Population Dynamics
i. Topic 1013A - Explain and relate the roles of mortality, natality, emigration,
immigration, intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors in the changes in
population sizes over time.
ii. Topic 1013B - Describe the natural tendencies in population dynamics for a
species in a healthy habitat.
iii. Topic 1013C - Predict how specific changes within the environment may
increase/decrease a population’s size
iv. Topic 1014D - Analyze how specific human activities may affect population
sizes
d. Topic 1014 – Species Interaction
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i. Topic 1014A - Investigate how organisms both cooperate and compete in
ecosystems
ii. Topic 1014B - Describe and provide Michigan examples of species
interactions including: competition, predation, parasitism, commensalism,
mutualism, and amensalism
e. Topic 1015 – Energy Flow
i. Topic 1015A - Describe the cycling of matter and the movement and change
of energy. through the ecosystem (for example, some energy dissipates as heat
as it is transferred through a food web.
ii. Topic 1015B - Describe the flow of energy in a natural ecosystem using the
laws of thermodynamics.
iii. Topic 1015C - Given a Michigan ecosystem, diagram the specifics of energy
flow, describing accurately at least some of the actual species involved in
these processes and their roles.
iv. Topic 1015D - Describe how only a fraction of the available energy is used
for growth and incorporated in the plant or animal itself at each stage of the
food web.
f. Topic 1016 – Nutrient Cycles
i. Topic 1016A - Analyze the process of how plants take common nutrients and
build organic compounds.
ii. Topic 1016B - Describe how plants and animals use organic compounds for
growth, maintenance, and reproduction (include respiration and
photosynthesis).
iii. Topic 1016C - Illustrate how these compounds are broken down
(decomposers) and cycled through the living and non-living parts of the
environment
g. Topic 1017 – Threatened and Endangered Species
i. Topic 1017A - List some threatened and endangered species in Michigan.
ii. Topic 1017B - Analyze the effects of threatened, endangered or extinct
species on human and natural systems.
iii. Topic 1017C - Identify and explain how a species’ increase, decline or
elimination affects the ecosystem and/or human social, cultural and economic
structures.
iv. Topic 1017D - Analyze management strategies regarding threatened or
endangered species.
v. Topic 1017E - Identify laws, agreements or treaties at national or international
levels regarding threatened or endangered species.
vi. Topic 1017F - Analyze the role of zoos and wildlife preserves on species that
have been identified as threatened or endangered.
vii. Topic 1017G - Examine the influence of wildlife management in preserving
different species in Michigan (ie- bald eagle, wolf).
h. Topic 1018 – Exotic Species
i. Topic 1018A - Describe how exotic species affect an ecosystem.
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ii. Topic 1018B - Identify exotic plant and animal species in Michigan.
iii. Topic 1018C - Describe how at least one exotic plant and one exotic animal
species was introduced to Michigan, and its impact on the ecosystem and
economy.
i. Topic 1019 - Succession
i. Topic 1019A - Diagram the process of ecological succession
ii. Topic 1019B - Predict how an external force affects ecological succession
iii. Topic 1019C - Accurately describe the process and stages of succession in one
Michigan and in one non-Michigan ecosystem.
j. Topic 1021 – Adaptation and Natural Selection
i. Topic 1021A - Explain how adaptations (structural, behavioral) of an
organism determine its niche (role) in the environment.
ii. Topic 1021B - Explain how adaptations of an organism help that organism to
survive.
iii. Topic 1021C - Describe how changes within the environment select for
survival and reproduction of certain individuals.
iv. Topic 1021D - Predict how the selection for specific traits might result in the
development of a new species.
v. Topic 1021E - Relate natural selection to the development of new populations
(e.g., a strain of bacteria becoming resistant).
vi. Topic 1021F - Identify the differences between inherited and non-inherited
traits.
k. Topic 1022 – Biodiversity
i. Topic 1022A - Explain the importance of biodiversity.
ii. Topic 1022B - Explain how diversity of characteristics among organisms of a
species. increases the likelihood of the species surviving changing
environmental conditions.
iii. Topic 1022C - Explain how changes in an ecosystem can affect biodiversity
and how biodiversity contributes to an ecosystem's stability (organisms can
adapt, migrate, or die).
2. Unit 1030 – Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Management (700 minutes)
a. Topic 1031 – Cultural Development and Values
i. Topic 1031A - Provide examples of how different cultures use natural
resources reflecting the economic, aesthetic, and other values of that culture.
ii. Topic 1031B - Analyze how cultural change and altered views of the
environment are related. For example, discuss how the shift away from a
largely rural society to a predominantly urban one may influence changing
perceptions of the environment.
iii. Topic 1031C - Recognize diverse cultural views about humans and the
environment.
iv. Topic 1031D - Anticipate ways in which people from different cultural
perspectives and frames of reference might interpret data, events, or policy
proposals.
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v. Topic 1031E - Compare and contrast the use of natural resources and the
environmental conditions in several countries.
b. Topic 1032 - Economic, Political, and Social Implications
i. Topic 1032A - Describe how human cultural activities (e.g., religious,
economic, political, social, etc) influence the environment from an ecological
perspective.
ii. Topic 1032B - Analyze how the environment and resource availability can
affect the economic, political, and social development of a culture. community
or region.
iii. Topic 1032C - Describe and compare historical and contemporary societal
strategies for adapting to environmental or social change while preserving and
transmitting culture. For example, describe ways resource-dependent
communities (those whose economies traditionally relied on activities such as
mining or timber harvest) work to maintain their identities in the face of mine
closures or declining timber harvests.
iv. Topic 1032D - Describe how technology has changed the use of natural
resources by business and industry.
v. Topic 1032E - Describe how uses of natural resources impact sustainability.
vi. Topic 1032F - Explain how technology has impacted the efficiency of the use
of natural resources.
vii. Topic 1032G - Define a sustainable community.
c. Topic 1033 – Individual Values and Actions
i. Topic 1033A - Describe examples that illustrate how individual behaviors
impact on the environment from an ecological perspective.
ii. Topic 1033B - Research people historical and contemporary individuals who
have contributed to conservation efforts.
iii. Topic 1033C - Relate the effects of individual actions on the long-term health
of the environment.
d. Topic 1034 - The Decision Making Process (Public Policy Development)
i. Topic 1034A - Investigate how local public policy regarding natural resources
is developed.
ii. Topic 1034B - Explain how issues and events can lead to environmental laws
and regulations.
iii. Topic 1034C - Describe the legislative process.
iv. Topic 1034D - Examine how citizen action can affect the law.
e. Topic 1035 - Government and Non-Government Organizations’ Roles
i. Topic 1035A - Recognize the role and responsibility of various federal, state
and local governmental agencies in ecosystem management and
environmental issue resolution.
ii. Topic 1035B - Understand the role of involvement of citizens and various
stakeholders in these processes.
3. Unit 1040 – Soils (800 minutes)
a. Topic 1041 – Characteristics of Soils
i. Topic 1041A - Define terms associated with soil characteristics.
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ii. Topic 1041B - Outline the processes involved in soil formation.
iii. Topic 1041C - Discuss the eight land capability classes.
iv. Topic 1041D - List the major weathering forces.
v. Topic 1041E - Discuss how parent materials differ from rocks and minerals.
vi. Topic 1041F - Explain how organic matter content affects the soil.
b. Topic 2054 – Soil Horizons, Texture and Structure
i. Topic 2054A - Compare and contrast the three horizons in a soil profile.
ii. Topic 2054B - Define soil texture and soil structure and identify soil texture
by feel.
c. Topic 1043 - Environmental Impact of Soil Degradation
i. Topic 1043A - Define terms associated with soil erosion.
ii. Topic 1043B - Differentiate natural soil erosion from soil erosion caused by
humans.
iii. Topic 1043C - Explain why soil erosion control should be important to
everyone.
iv. Topic 1043D - Describe the major sources of non-farm soil erosion.
d. Topic 1044 – Erosion Control Practices
i. Topic 1044A - Explain common soil erosion prevention practices.
ii. Topic 1044B - Define terms associated with controlling erosion.
iii. Topic 1044C - Explain how land capability classes relate to wise soil use.
iv. Topic 1044D - Describe some important techniques used in controlling
agricultural and non-agricultural soil erosion.
4. Unit 1050 – Water Resources (1,000 minutes)
a. Topic 1051 – Water Cycle
i. Topic 1051A - Describe the distribution and circulation of the world's water
through oceans, glaciers, rivers, groundwater, and atmosphere.
b. Topic 1052 – Watersheds
i. Topic 1052A - Understand the role of the watershed.
ii. Topic 1052B - Explain how water enters a watershed.
iii. Topic 1052C - Identify and explain what determines the boundaries of a
watershed.
iv. Topic 1052D - Identify and describe regional watersheds.
v. Topic 1052E - Outline local. and regional drainage basins/watersheds on
maps.
vi. Topic 1052F - Mark drainage divides on maps.
vii. Topic 1052G - Explain factors that affect water quality and flow through a
watershed.
viii. Topic 1052H - Analyze how land use variations in a watershed can affect the
runoff of water.
c. Topic 1053 – Groundwater
i. Topic 1053A - Define groundwater and the importance of groundwater.
ii. Topic 1053B - Identify parts of a groundwater system.
iii. Topic 1053C - Compare movement of water through diverse substrates.
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iv. Topic 1053D - Relate differences in types of land uses to potential
groundwater contamination.
v. Topic 1053E - Predict how human activities at one location often have
adverse affects on other locations.
d. Topic 1055 – Water Quality
i. Topic 1055A - Interpret the importance of high quality water.
ii. Topic 1055B - Identify and explain factors that influence the quality of water.
iii. Topic 1055C - Predict how human activities at one location often have
adverse affects on other locations.
iv. Topic 1055D - Describe the different types of pollution that can affect water
as well as animals and plants that live in water.
v. Topic 1055E - Compare, contrast, and evaluate various methods of purifying
water.
vi. Topic 1055F - Analyze the properties of surface water and ground water and
how contaminates move and react in water.
vii. Topic 1055G - Analyze soil properties and how they affect water quality.
e. Topic 1058 – Wetlands
i. Topic 1058A - Explain and describe characteristics of a wetland.
ii. Topic 1058B - Identify specific characteristics of wetland plants and soils.
iii. Topic 1058C - Recognize the common types of wetland plants and animals.
iv. Topic 1058D - Describe and analyze different types of wetlands.
v. Topic 1058E - Explain the functions of habitat, nutrient production, migration
stopover and groundwater recharge as it relates to wetlands.
vi. Topic 1058F - Explain the impact of watersheds and wetlands in flood
control, wildlife habitats and pollution abatement.
vii. Topic 1058G - Describe wetlands in terms of their effects (e.g., habitat, flood,
buffer zones, prevention areas, nurseries, food production areas).
viii. Topic 1058H - Explain how a wetland influences water quality, wildlife and
water retention.
ix. Topic 1058I - Analyze wetlands through their indicators (e.g., soils, plants,
hydrology).
x. Topic 1058J - Describe how natural events affect a wetland or watershed (e.g.,
drought, floods).
xi. Topic 1058K - Identify the effects of humans and human events on wetlands
or watersheds.
5. Unit 1070 – Pollution (400 minutes)
a. Topic 1071 – Water Pollution
i. Topic 1071A - Define terms associated with water pollution.
ii. Topic 1071B - Identify the three major water pollution groups.
iii. Topic 1071C - Identify sources of water pollution.
iv. Topic 1071D - Distinguish between point and non-point source pollution.
v. Topic 1071E - Explain the common water pollution control measures.
vi. Topic 1071F - Explain why water control measures are difficult to implement.
b. Topic 1072 – Air Pollution
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Topic 1072A - Explain what is meant by ‘air quality’.
Topic 1072B - Identify major air pollutants and their sources.
Topic 1072C - Distinguish between point and non-point source pollution.
Topic 1072D - Identify and analyze individual, local, regional, national, and
global effects of pollution on materials and on plant, animal, and human
health.
v. Topic 1072E - Explain how air quality is tested
vi. Topic 1072F - Describe approaches in preventing air pollution and lessening
air pollution dangers
vii. Topic 1072G - Explain what indoor air pollution is; naming sources, effects,
and control methods.
c. Topic 1073 – Soil and Land Pollution
i. Topic 1073A - Name and classify types of waste, their sources and methods of
waste reduction.
ii. Topic 1073B - Identify major kinds of solid waste; explain and give examples
of each.
iii. Topic 1073C - Define hazardous waste.
iv. Topic 1073D - List and explain the hazards that wastes pose.
v. Topic 1073E - Explain the major criterion that determine the way to dispose
of hazardous wastes.
vi. Topic 1073F - Compare practices and alternatives in solid and hazardous
waste management and their environmental impacts.
vii. Topic 1073G - Explain recycling and reasons to recycle.
viii. Topic 1073H - Describe composting and its benefits.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
6. Unit 1090 – Environmental Issues (800 minutes)
a. Topic 1091 - The Issue Investigation Process
i. Topic 1091A - Identify a wide variety of current environmental issues and
describe the ecological and cultural implications of these issues.
ii. Topic 1091B - Select current environmental issues, describe the alternative
solutions available for solving these issues and the ecological and cultural
implications of these solutions.
iii. Topic 1091C - Recognize the need for environmental issue investigation and
evaluation as a prerequisite to sound decision making.
iv. Topic 1091D - Discuss the roles played by differing human values in issues
and the need for personal values clarification as an integral part of
environmental decision making.
v. Topic 1091E - Describe the need for responsible citizenship action in
resolving environmental issues.
b. Topic 1092 –Implementing the Issue Investigation Process
i. Topic 1092A - Correctly and thoroughly investigate and evaluate a selected
environmental issue or problem.
ii. Topic 1092B - Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative solutions
to the problem/issue.
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iii. Topic 1092C - Accurately consider relative values (of self and society) and
how they would be impacted by alternative solutions.
iv. Topic 1092D - Identify appropriate strategies needed to achieve selected
alternative solutions.
v. Topic 1092E - Given an opportunity, make decisions concerning action
strategies to be used with respect to particular environmental issues which
correctly consider affected values, costs and benefits to self, society and the
environment.
vi. Topic 1092F - Given an opportunity, implement action skills to take citizen
action on one or more issues.
7. Unit 1100 – Tree Basics (700 minutes)
a. Topic 1101 – What is a forest?
i. Topic 1101A - Define ‘forest’.
ii. Topic 1101B - Describe beneficial influences of forests and trees.
iii. Topic 1101C - Describe where forest resources and industries are located in
the United States.
b. Topic 1103 – Tree Identification
i. Topic 1103A - List characteristics useful in tree identification.
ii. Topic 1103B - Identify different tree forms.
iii. Topic 1103C - Demonstrate the ability to use the taxonomic key to identify
common forest plants.
iv. Topic 1103D - Distinguish between the characteristics for angiosperms and
gymnosperms.
v. Topic 1103E - Label the parts, and define the shape and margins of a single
leaf.
vi. Topic 1103D - Identify leaf arrangements.
vii. Topic 1103F - Identify evergreens based on needle, cone, and bark.
viii. Topic 1103G - Match the scientific name to the common names of Michigan
trees.
xi. Topic 1103H - Identify Michigan tree species based on tree characteristics
c. Topic 1104 – Michigan Forest History
i. Topic 1104A - Identify the characteristics of the presettlement forest.
ii. Topic 1104B - Describe state and national historical individuals and events
and the impact they had on forestry.
iii. Topic 1104C - Describe how human activity has changed the forests.
iv. Topic 1104D - Describe the difference between historical and modern forestry
practices. Explain why these changes were implemented.
d. Topic 1105 – Land Survey
i. Topic 1105A - List and describe the methods of land survey systems.
ii. Topic 1105B - Define common terms associated with land survey.
iii. Topic 1105C - Determine the number of acres from a legal description.
iv. Topic 1105D - Locate and label the principle base line and meridian for
Michigan.
e. Topic 1106 – Map and Compass
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i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Topic 1106A - List the essential parts and accessories of a compass.
Topic 1106B - Use a compass to obtain directions.
Topic 1106C - Describe how to find magnetic declination.
Topic 1106D - Find true azimuths and bearings for magnetic angles.
Topic 1106E - List the guidelines to follow when reading a compass.
Topic 1106F - Demonstrate pacing skill.
8. Unit 1110 – Tree Physiology (400 minutes)
a. Topic 1112 – Tree Parts
i. Topic 1112A - List, identify, and describe the major parts of a tree, and
explain the function of each.
b. Topic 1113 – Photosynthesis and Respiration
i. Topic 1113A - Define photosynthesis.
ii. Topic 1113B - Explain the formula for photosynthesis and describe the role of
water in the process.
iii. Topic 1113C - Define respiration.
iv. Topic 1113D - Describe what a tree does with the products from
photosynthesis.
c. Topic 1114 – Tree Growth
i. Topic 1114A - Explain how woody plants grow.
ii. Topic 1114B - Describe where growth occurs in a tree.
iii. Topic 1114C - List the 2 kinds of wood formed in an annual ring of diameter
growth.
iv. Topic 1114D - Describe the most limiting factor to tree growth.
9. Unit 1140 – Forest Management (400 minutes)
a. Topic 1141 – Forestry Basics
i. Topic 1141A - Define 'forestry'.
ii. Topic 1141B - Define 'sylviculture'.
iii. Topic 1141C - Explain the difference between a 'managed forest' and a
wilderness area.
iv. Topic 1141D - Name seven objectives when implementing sylvicultural
practices.
v. Topic 1141E - Describe the following forestry practices, and the purpose of
each: timber harvest, thinning, release cutting, salvage cutting, pruning,
planting and genetic improvement
vi. Topic 1141F - Describe education requirements for foresters.
vii. Topic 1141G - List at least five areas other than forest management that a
forester might specialize in.
viii. Topic 1141H - List two public and two private organizations that employ
foresters.
b. Topic 1142 – Management Systems
i. Topic 1142A - Define ‘sylviculture’ and ‘syvlicultural system’.
ii. Topic 1142B - Discuss the difference between ‘sylviculture’ and ‘forestry’.
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iii. Topic 1142C - Describe the two main goals of any sylvicultural system.
iv. Topic 1142D - Describe the following management systems, including
conditions that warrant each system’s use, desired outcomes, and ideal forest
types: Selection, Clearcutting & Shelterwood
v. Topic 1142E - Compare and contrast clearcutting and selection systems in
terms of shade tolerance, successional stage, visual quality, soil damage, and
runoff potential.
vi. Topic 1142F - Explain why clearcutting is controversial, and how that
controversy might be minimized.
10. Unit 1160 – Wildlife Management (1,000 minutes)
a. Topic 1161 – What is Wildlife Management?
i. Topic 1161A - Define wildlife, and explain the difference between wild and
domestic animals.
ii. Topic 1161B - Describe and explain the different values that humans can hold
regarding wildlife.
iii. Topic 1161C - Explain the difference between conservation and preservation
of natural resources.
iv. Topic 1161D - Define wildlife management.
b. Topic 1162 – History of Wildlife Management
i. Topic 1162A - Identify national policies impacting wildlife conservation.
ii. Topic 1162B - Name early leaders in wildlife management, and describe the
contributions they made.
iii. Topic 1162C - Explain that wildlife and associated natural resources played in
European exploration and settlement of Michigan and other US regions.
iv. Topic 1162D - Create a timeline including major policy and events in the
early history of wildlife management
c. Topic 1163 – Basic Wildlife Management Concepts
i. Topic 1163A - Relate the following terms to wildlife populations: habitat,
carrying capacity, limiting factors, species interaction, population dynamics
(See unit 1010/1020)
ii. Topic 1163B - Explain the need to balance of biological, social, economic,
and political factors in managing wildlife populations (and all natural
resources).
iii. Topic 1163C - Explain what a wildlife management plan is.
iv.
Topic 1163D - Distinguish between habitat management and population
management.
d. Topic 1164 – Michigan Wildlife
i. Topic 1164A - Identify common and unique wildlife species in Michigan.
ii. Topic1164B - Describe the habitat requirements and life cycle/natural history
of common and unique wildlife species in Michigan.
iii. Topic 1164C - Accurately classify wildlife species, based on scientific
(Phylem, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species) and regulatory (game,
nongame, furbearer, threatened, endangered, etc.) classification systems.
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Related FFA Activities:
1. Forestry Skills Contest
2. Environmental Skills Contest
3. Land Judging Skills Contest
4. Agricultural Issues Leadership Contest
5. Proficiency Award Areas
SAE Activities:
1. Work in school forestry land lab
2. Work as forester
3. Work for environmental company – testing water, soils, etc.
4. Practicing correct techniques in agricultural positions
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