TCSS Biology
Unit 5 – Ecology Information
Milestones Domain/Weight: Ecology 25%
Georgia Performance Standards:
SB4. Students will assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter
within their ecosystems.
A. Investigate the relationships among organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes.
B. Explain the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems by arranging components of a food chain
according to energy flow, comparing the quantity of energy in the steps of an energy pyramid, explaining the
need for cycling of major nutrients (C, O, H, N, P).
C. Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems.
D. Assess and explain human activities that influence and modify the environment such as global warming,
population growth, pesticide use, and water and power consumption.
E. Relate plant adaptations, including tropisms, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions.
F. Relate animal adaptations, including behaviors, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions.
Purpose/Goal(s):
Students should be able to:
Students will assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within
their ecosystems.
 Students will investigate the interdependence of organisms within an ecosystem and the connections
between ecosystems on Earth.
 Students will explain flow of matter and energy through ecosystems.
 Students will comprehend successional changes in an ecosystem after a disturbance.
 Students will analyze the effects humans have had on their environment and possible solutions to
human-made environmental problems.
 Students will explain how animal and plant adaptations help species to survive in a changing
environment.
Content Map: Unit 5 – Ecology Content Map
Prerequisites: Unit 5 – Ecology Middle School Standards
Unit Length: Approximately 25 days
Click on the links below for resources by Concept:
Concept 1: Levels of Organization
Concept 4: Human Impact
Concept 2: Flow of Matter & Energy
Concept 5: Plant Adaptations
Concept 3: Succession
Concept 6: Animal Adaptations
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 1: Levels of
Organization &
Community Interactions
EQ1: How is the living
world organized?
EQ2: How do organisms
relate to one another in
populations,
communities,
ecosystems, and biomes?
SB4A: Investigate the
relationships among
organisms, populations,
communities,
ecosystems, and biomes.
Vocabulary
Essential*
Biomes
Communities
Ecosystems
Organisms
Populations
Supplemental**
Abiotic Factors
Biotic Factors
Habitat
Niche
Biosphere
Predator
Prey
Commensalism
Parasitism
Mutualism
Competition
Symbiosis
Terrestrial Biomes
Aquatic Biomes
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Resources [Back to Top]
Activators/Summarizers:
Introduction to Ecology (time 4:46) - Learn about the biosphere,
ecosystems, communities, populations, organisms, habitats, niches,
generalists, specialists, biotic and abiotic factors in this video.
Video Clip - Levels of Organization & Relationships (2.1) Introductory overview of organizational levels of the biosphere
Video Clip - Freshwater Biomes (time 1:55) - Overview of key
characteristics of freshwater biomes.
Video Clip - Marine Biomes (time 2:46) - Overview of key
characteristics of marine biomes
Symbiosis Video (time 5:16) - Short video covers symbiotic
relationships.
Notes:
Levels of Organization & Relationships Notes (2.1) - Screen
Copy - PPT for lecture covering organizational levels of the
biosphere as well as types of relationships within a community.
Levels of Organization & Relationships Notes (2.1) - Student
Copy - for student handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that
correspond to the bold-faced words in the Screen Copy.
Terrestrial Biome Notes (3.2) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture
covering key characteristics of major terrestrial biomes.
Terrestrial Biome Notes (3.2) - Student Copy - for student
handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced
words in the Screen Copy.
Aquatic Ecosystems & Biomes Notes (3.3) - Screen Copy - PPT
for lecture covering key characteristics of aquatic & transitional
ecosystems.
Aquatic Ecosystems & Biomes Notes (3.3) - Student Copy - for
student handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the
bold-faced words in the Screen Copy.
Practice/Worksheets:
Assessment
Concept 1: Sample
Assessment Items
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
Ecology Review Worksheet #1 - Review of levels of organization,
symbiosis, habitat/niche, and predator/ prey relationships.
Levels of Organization & Relationships Student Practice (2.1) Comprehension questions/activities for students to answer following
lecture.
Symbiosis Analysis Worksheet - Students analyze real life
scenarios and determine whether they are mutualism,
commensalism, and parasitism.
Deer: Predation or Starvation - Predation activity that includes
graphing and comprehension questions.
Aquatic Ecosystems & Biomes Student Practice (3.3) - Questions/
Exercises for comprehension following lecture
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 2: Flow of
Energy & Matter
EQ1: What is the
difference between a
food chain and a food
web?
EQ2: How does energy
flow through an
ecosystem?
EQ3: How does the
amount of available
energy change from one
trophic level to the next?
EQ4: How are major
nutrients cycled through
ecosystems?
EQ5: How does each
nutrient cycle contribute
to the success of an
ecosystem?
SB4B: Explain the flow
of matter and energy
through ecosystems by
arranging components of
a food chain according to
energy flow, comparing
the quantity of energy in
Vocabulary
Resources [Back to Top]
Assessment
Essential*
Ecosystems
Energy
Energy Flow
Energy Pyramid
Food Chain
Matter
Nutrients
Activators/Summarizers:
Flow of Matter Summarizer (2.3) - Graphic Organizer (chart) for
students to describe the importance and the short/long-term cycles of
water, carbon/oxygen, nitrogen, & phosphorus.
Energy Transfer in Trophic Levels (time 2:41) - Learn about
producers, consumers (herbivores, carnivores and omnivores),
decomposers (detritivores), energy transfer and energy loss, and food
chains and food webs in this video.
Concept 2: Sample
Assessment Items
Supplemental**
Food Web
Ecological Pyramids
Producer
Consumer
Autotroph
Heterotroph
Carnivore
Omnivore
Herbivore
Decomposer
Detrivore
Carbon/Oxygen Cycle
Water Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Phosphorus
Trophic Level
Notes:
Flow of Energy Notes (2.2) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture
covering acquisition & transfer of energy through the biosphere
Flow of Energy Notes (2.2) - Student Copy - for student handouts.
Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced words in
the Screen Copy.
Flow of Matter Notes (2.3) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture
covering acquisition & transfer of Water, Carbon/Oxygen, Nitrogen,
& Phosphorus through the biosphere.
Flow of Matter Notes (2.3) - Student Copy - for student handouts.
Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced words in
the Screen Copy.
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
Practice/Worksheets:
Flow of Energy Student Practice (2.2) - Questions/Exercises for
comprehension following lecture.
Ecology Review Worksheet # 2 - Review worksheet that address
the following: trophic levels, food chains, food webs, and energy
pyramids.
Food Chain and Food Web Packet - Student remediation packet
that contains reading comprehension, practice activities and mini
quizzes.
Food Chain Worksheet - Student practice with trophic levels, food
chain, energy transfer, and food webs.
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
the steps of an energy
pyramid, explaining the
need for cycling of major
nutrients (C, O, H, N, P).
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Energy Pyramid Virtual Lab w/Questions and Data Tables Virtual interactive lab with practice and comprehension questions for
energy pyramid and pyramid of numbers.
Energy Pyramid Lab w/ pinto beans - Energy pyramid simulation
using butcher paper, markers and pinto beans.The lab also includes
comprehension questions.
Building an Energy Pyramid Lab - Energy pyramid lab where
students have to simulate the transfer of energy using water, cups
and beakers. The lab also includes comprehension questions
Ecological Pyramid 3D Foldable - Student made model of
ecological pyramid concepts.
Flow of Matter Student Practice (2.3) - Questions/Exercises for
comprehension following lecture.
Nutrient Cycle Worksheets - Comprehension questions and
drawings for each of the four major nutrient cycles.
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 3: Ecological
Succession
EQ1: What is the
difference between
primary and secondary
succession?
EQ2: How are organisms
impacted when an
ecosystem is destroyed?
Vocabulary
Essential*
Environmental Condition
Succession
Ecosystem
Supplemental**
Climax Community
Pioneer Species (Lichen)
Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
*Essential vocabulary
SB4C: Relate
listed in the GPS
environmental conditions Standards
to successional changes
in ecosystems.
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Resources [Back to Top]
Assessment
Concept 3: Sample
Activators/Summarizers:
Succession Reading and Comprehension Questions - Reading
Assessment Items
activity that introduces the different types of ecological succession.
Ecological Succession Video (time 1:43) - Short video clip that
gives an overview of both primary and secondary succession.
Ecological Succession Interactive Activity - Mini Web Activity
that can be used as an activator or a summarizer. It includes 2 mini
quizzes at the end. *Use the chromebooks to complete this activity to
cut down on transition time.
Pond Succession Video (time 4:50) - Good to embed in succession
PPT before Pond Succession Slide
Notes:
Ecological Succession Notes (3.1) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture
covering limiting factors, range of tolerance, primary succession,
secondary succession, & pond succession.
Ecological Succession Notes (3.1) - Student Copy - for student
handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced
words in the Screen Copy.
Practice/Worksheets:
Ecological Succession Scenarios - Comprehension questions and
scenarios about the different types of ecological succession.
Ecological Succession Student Practice (3.1) - Questions/Exercises
for comprehension following lecture.
Ecological Succession Worksheet - Questions about the different
types of ecological succession.
Succession - The Game (Board Master) (Instructions/Cards/Charts
Master) (Student Accountability Sheet) - Teacher-created board
game that helps solidify student understanding of how succession
works & why it takes so long.
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 4: Population
Dynamics & Human
Influence
EQ1: What factors affect
population growth and
stability?
EQ2: How do humans
influence and modify the
environment?
SB4D: Assess and
explain human activities
that influence and
modify the environment
such as global warming,
population growth,
pesticide use, and water
and power consumption.
Vocabulary
Essential*
Global Warming
Population Growth
Pesticides
Supplemental**
Population Density
Population Dispersion
Limiting Factors
Exponential Growth
Logistic Growth
Immigration
Emigration
Carrying Capacity
Age Structure
Human Impact
Pollution
Nonrenewable/Renewable
resource
Invasive Species
Biomagnification
Biodiversity
Deforestation
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Resources [Back to Top]
Assessment
Activators/Summarizers:
Human Impact Video (time 3:28) - Short video overview of the
history of human impact on the environment.
What is Biodiversity? (time 2:42) - Short video clip that addresses
“what is biodiversity?”
Natural Resources (time 3:28)- Short video clip about
nonrenewable and renewable resources.
Concept 4: Sample
Assessment Items
Notes:
Population Dynamics Notes (4.1) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture
covering population characteristics, limiting factors, & growth rates.
Population Dynamics Notes (4.1) - Student Copy - for student
handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the boldfaced words in the Screen Copy.
Human Population - Growth & Age Structure Notes (4.2) Screen Copy - PPT for lecture covering human population trends
and varying age structures from one country to the next.
Human Population - Growth & Age Structure Notes (4.2) Student Copy - for student handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that
correspond to the bold-faced words in the Screen Copy.
Conserving Biodiversity Notes (5.3) - Screen Copy - PPT for
lecture covering threats to biodiversity and efforts to remediate &
conserve.
Conserving Biodiversity Notes (5.3) - Student Copy - for student
handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the boldfaced words in the Screen Copy.
Practice/Worksheets:
Population Dynamics Student Practice (4.1) Questions/Exercises for comprehension following lecture
Population Ecology Graph Worksheet - Graphs and diagrams
with comprehension questions that address population growth, types
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
of growth, and predator- prey interactions in regards to population
growth.
Human Population - Growth & Age Structure Student Practice
(4.2) - Questions/Exercises for student comprehension following
lecture
Human Population Growth - Students will create a graph of
human population growth and use it to predict future growth and
identify factors that affect population growth.
Conserving Biodiversity Student Practice (5.3) - Questions/
Exercises for student comprehension following lecture.
Bean Biodiversity Lab - Activity using different types of beans to
represent the different populations in a community. Students
calculate the amount of biodiversity there is one community.
Threats to Biodiversity Activity - Article reading and
comprehension about human threats to biodiversity.
Mix and Match: Human Impact - Group activity that sparks
conversation and discussion about how humans are affecting natural
resources.
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 5: Plant
Adaptations
EQ1: Why is plant
adaptation necessary for
the success of an
ecosystem?
EQ2: What are some
examples of plant
adaptations?
SB4E: Relate plant
adaptations, including
tropisms, to the ability to
survive stressful
environmental
conditions.
Vocabulary
Resources [Back to Top]
Essential*
Plant Adaptations
Tropisms
Activators/Summarizers:
Plant Structures and Adaptations (time 8:40) - Video about plant
structures and how they help them to adapt their environment.
Supplemental**
Chemotropism
Geotropism
Phototropism
Thigmotropism
Xylem
Phloem
Flower
Cone
Seed Dispersal
Dormancy
Hormones
Notes:
Plant Adaptation Notes - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture covering
basic plant structures/adaptations
Plant Adaptation Notes - Student Copy - for student handouts.
Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced words in
the Screen Copy.
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Practice/Worksheets:
Plant Adaptation Student Practice - Questions/Exercises for
student comprehension following lecture.
Plant Adaptations Worksheet - Student practice with plant
adaptations that are related to plant structure.
Plant Adaptation Comprehension Worksheets - Five different
worksheets with plant adaptations vocabulary practice, reading
comprehension questions, a critical thinking short answer question
and true/false question.
All About Tropism - Student practice worksheet that address plant
tropisms.
Plant Response/Growth - Comprehension worksheet that addresses
the different types of plant adaptations. (*Suggestion: There are
several different worksheets in the packet. Pick and choose the
parts you would like to use and create your own worksheet. The
document can be converted to a word document for edits.)
Assessment
Concept 5: Sample
Assessment Items
TCSS Biology Ecology Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 6: Animal
Adaptations
EQ1: Why is animal
adaptation necessary for
the success of an
ecosystem?
EQ2: What are some
examples of animal
adaptations?
SB4F: Relate animal
adaptations, including
behaviors, to the ability
to survive stressful
environmental
conditions.
Vocabulary
Resources [Back to Top]
Essential*
Animal Adaptations
Behaviors
Activators/Summarizers:
Adaptations Video (time3:59) - Short video clip about behavioral
and structural adaptations.
Supplemental**
Animal Behaviors
Camouflage
Chemical Defenses
Mechanical Defenses
Migration
Mimicry
Survival Behaviors
Notes:
Animal Adaptation Notes - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture
covering basic animal structures/behaviors/adaptations
Animal Adaptation Notes - Student Copy - for student handouts.
Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced words in
the Screen Copy.
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Practice/Worksheets:
Animal Adaptation Student Practice - Questions/Exercises for
student comprehension following lecture
Animal Adaptation Worksheet - Student worksheet that requires
students to identify the function of certain adaptations.
Animal Adaptation Packet - Several different worksheets and
activities that teachers can use to pull resources for all animal
adaptations.
Assessment
Concept 6: Sample
Assessment Items