Pre-IB Biology
November 9-10, 1998
Ecology Lesson Plan 3 - Community Distribution
FCPS Benchmarks
Benchmark 1.15 (SOL-BIO1, BIO5, BIO7, and BIO9)
Students investigate and understand that organisms both cooperate and compete in ecosystems. The interrelationships and
interdependence of these organisms may generate ecosystems that are stable for hundreds or thousands of years.
Indicators
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1.15.1 Relate the concepts of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems to each other.
(Part 2 - November 11 & 16)
Benchmark 1.13 (SOL-BIO1 and BIO9)
Students investigate and understand that the atoms and molecules on Earth cycle among the living and nonliving
components of the biosphere.
Indicators
 1.13.1 Illustrate the interdependence of living things using the concepts of matter and nutrient cycling.
 1.13.2 Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are complementary processes for cycling carbon dioxide
and oxygen within an ecosystem.
Benchmark 1.14 (SOL-BIO1 and BIO9)
Students investigate and understand that energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from photosynthetic organisms
to herbivores, to carnivores, and to decomposers.
Indicators
 1.14.1 Illustrate the interaction of producers and consumers in an ecosystem with food chains, food webs, and
energy pyramids.
 1.14.2 Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are complementary processes for the transformation of
energy within an ecosystem.
Benchmark 1.15 (SOL-BIO1, BIO5, BIO7, and BIO9) - continued
Indicators
 1.15.2 Illustrate the interactions within and among populations, including carrying capacities, limiting factors, and
growth curves.
 1.15.3 Cite several examples of predation, parasitism, commensalism, mutualism, and competition.
 1.15.4 Compare biotic and abiotic features of various terrestrial and aquatic biomes.
 1.15.5 Illustrate the various succession patterns in ecosystems.
Virginia SOL Assessment Questions (this lesson only)
Pre-IB Biology
November 9-10, 1998
Agenda
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Return /Review Biological Key (Shark) Lab
Hand in Food Chain/Food Web Lab
Science Fair - Four Important Questions
Review of Cycles for Water, Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorous
Introduction to Community Distribution
Homeostasis in Communities and Succession
Biomes - Aquatic and Terrestrial
Objectives
 Explain how limiting factors and ranges of tolerance affect distribution of organisms;
 Sequence the stages of succession in different communities;
 Compare the euphotic and aphotic zones of ocean biomes;
 Identify the major limiting factors of terrestrial biomes; and
 Distingiush among terrestrial biomes
Pre-IB Biology
November 9-10, 1998
Mr. Egenrieder
Period
November , 1998
Chapter 4 Community Distribution
Review of terms learned earlier:
Homeostasis Abiotic factors Biotic factors Ecosystems Section 4.1 - Homeostasis in Communities
A.
Changing with the Environment
1. Limiting factors - any environmental factor (abiotic or biotic) that
restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction or distribution of organisms.
2. Range of tolerance - The limits of an organisms ability to tolerate
changes it its environment (too much or too little of an environmental factor.
B. Succession
1. Succession - the orderly, natural changes that take place in the
communities of an ecosystem.
2. Primary succession - colonization of new sites by communities of
organisms.
3. Climax community - The stable, mature community with little or no
significant change after primary succession slows.
4. Secondary succession - Changes in a community after human disruption of
natural disaster.
Pre-IB Biology
Section 4.2 Biomes
A.
Aquatic Biomes
1. Biome 2. Marine biomes a. Photic Zone b. Aphotic Zone c. Estuary d. Intertidal Zone e. Role of Plankton f. What is seawater ?
g. Limiting factors ?
3. Freshwater biomes -
November 9-10, 1998
Pre-IB Biology
B. Terrestrial Biomes
1. Ice 2. Tundra  Permafrost 3. Taiga 4. Temperate Forest 5. Tropical Rain Forest 6. Grassland 7. Desert -
8. Limiting Factors of Terrestrial Biomes
November 9-10, 1998
Pre-IB Biology
November 9-10, 1998
Homework: 
- Outline Chapter 5.1
- Make sure TI-83's are working correctly and batteries are
charged.
Summary:
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Explain how limiting factors and ranges of tolerance affect distribution of organisms;
Sequence the stages of succession in different communities;
Compare the euphotic and aphotic zones of ocean biomes;
Identify the major limiting factors of terrestrial biomes; and
Distingiush among terrestrial biomes