2013

J. Anderson

Lesson Plan
Grade/Subject: Biology 20 Unit: Populations and Ecosystems Topic: Factors Affecting Ecosystems and Limits on Populations
OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES
Students will: GLO Explain that the biosphere is composed of ecosystems, each with distinctive biotic and abiotic characteristics SLOs 1) Explain how terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems support a diversity of organisms through a variety of habitats and niches; Terrestrial: canopy, sub-canopy, forest floor, soil Aquatic: littoral, limnetic, profundal and benthic zones Identify biotic and abiotic characteristics and explain their influence in an aquatic and a terrestrial ecosystem in the local region;

Lesson Duration: 90 min ASSESSMENTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will: 1. Identify factors affecting ecosystems 2. Identify human influence that changes these factors and impacts the environment

(Observations, Key Questions, Products/Performances)

Class discussion Observation Questioning Practice Questions

LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED

Resource #1: AB POS Resource #2: Nelson Biology Text Resource #3: Nelson Biology Online Resource

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Smart board White board

PROCEDURE
Introduction (5 min.): Attention Grabber: Planet Earth Video Clip Assessment of Prior Knowledge: What were the factors that affected the aquatic ecosystems? From those, what do you think affects the terrestrial ecosystems? Expectations for Learning and Behaviour: Please work effectively in your groups and individually. Use the resources effectively and keep good notes. Advance Organizer/Agenda: Today we are going to look at some factors that affect terrestrial ecosystems as well as we will begin to look at some factors that affect or limit population growth/ viability. Transition to Body: Lets watch another planet earth clip on a terrestrial ecosystem. Be sure to give anticipatory set. Body (80 min.): Learning Activity #1: Direct Instruction/ Class discussion Terrestrial factors & limiting factors (65min.) Present information of the factors that limit terrestrial ecosystems ASK: What were the factors that affected aquatic ecosystems. Then ask if this will be the same or different for terrestrial ecosystems. List some factors that affect terrestrial ecosystems specifically: - Soil Soil quality is important for the entire ecosystem (why?) Soil can be characterized by its colour and texture As you go deeper in the soil, there is less and less organic material Define: litter, topsoil, humus, subsoil, bedrock Litter: the upper layer of soil, composed mainly of partially decomposed leaves of grasses Topsoil: the soil layer beneath the litter, composed of small particles of rock mixed with humus Humus: decaying plant and animal matter (organic) Subsoil: the soil layer beneath the topsoil, usually containing more rock particles and less organic matter than the topsoil

2013

J. Anderson

Bedrock: the layer beneath the soil composed of rock The litter acts as a blanket which limits temperature variations and water loss (insulator) Topsoil is beneath the litter which is made up of small particles of rock mixed with decaying plant and animal matter (Humus) Humus is black which causes the soil to be black Nutrients from the organic matter is recycled Between the particles of soil and rock there is also water and air pockets ASK: why are these important? Below the topsoil is the subsoil which usually contains more rock particles mixed with a small amount of organic matter. This is usually lighter in colour since there is less organic material. This subsoil section may also contain large amounts of minerals such as iron, aluminum, and phosphorous. Beneath this subsoil layer lies a layer of rock (bedrock) which marks the end of the soil. Different ecosystems within a biome have different types of soil The type of soil affects the biotic components of the ecosystem Give students the examples of the Taiga forest. Soil can be acidic, neutral, or basic (alkaline). This is determined by the rock from which the soil was formed as well as the plants that grow in the soil. Increased acidity can be caused by decomposition. The acidity of rain can also have an effect (this is usually human induced by burning of fossil fuels releasing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air) Mosses flourish in acidic soils better than conifers. Water Some organisms are well adapted to living in regions of low water levels ASK: What organism can you think of that is good at saving water? (Camels, fescue grass) The amount of available water is determined by the amount and type of precipitation. This precipitation collects in lakes, rivers, etc while other water is drained to the (groundwater) Groundwater: water in the soil or rock below the Earths surface This water drains to a point in the soil where the soil is saturated with water (water table) The depth of this water table affects the organisms that grow there. As water drains, it dissolves some of the organic material and nutrients from the soil. (leaching) This can be a problem but plants can help to prevent this as well as there are certain plants that are nitrogen fixing pulses such as peas and alfalfa Temperature This, like water, this is dependent on the climate of a region As we know temperature can vary significantly If organisms cannot survive the extremes, they often migrate or hibernate or enter a state of low metabolic activity (insects) Grasses are an example of an adapted species, as much of their mass is below ground Some animals have behavioural adaptations such as mice burrowing. Sunlight In areas near the equator the amount of daily sunlight is more or less consistent throughout the year (~12hrs of daylight and ~12 hours of night) If you are further from the equator the amount of daylight changes. Within a geographic region the amount of light can also change (shade trees/ landforms)

Learning Activity #3: Student Individual work/ Partner work (10 min.) Page 107 # 1-4, 7 Closure (5 min.): Consolidation/Assessment of Learning: What factors affect the ecosystems and how? Feedback From Students: Is there any further confusion? Feedback To Students: Good work today! Transition To Next Lesson: Next class we will be looking at changes in the ecosystems. Sponge Conservation posters Sudoku puzzles

Reflection: 2