Ecology and Conservation EF_UnitPlan: Ecology and Conservation Unit Name Ecology and Conservation (IB Option G) Subject

IB Biology HL Grade Level 11 Major Topics Community ecology Ecosystems and biomes Impacts of humans on ecosystems Conservation of biodiversity Population ecology

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan

Stage 1 - Desired Results Content Standard(s): Massachusetts STE Curriculum Frameworks: Central Concept: Ecology is the interaction among organisms and between organisms and their environment. Content Standard: 6.1 Explain how birth, death, immigration, and emigration influence population size. 6.2 Analyze changes in population size and biodiversity (speciation and extinction) that result from the following: natural causes, changes in climate, human activity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species. 6.3 Use a food web to identify and distinguish producers, consumers, and decomposers, and explain the transfer of energy through trophic levels. Describe how relationships among organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, mutualism) add to the complexity of biological communities. 6.4 Explain how water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle between abiotic resources and organic matter in an ecosystem, and how oxygen cycles through photosynthesis and respiration. Scientific Inquiry Skills: S1S1. Make observations, raise questions and formulate hypotheses. S1S2. Design and conduct scientific investigations. S1S3. Analyze and interpret results of scientific investigations. SIS4. Communicate and apply the results of scientific investigations. Essential Question How is the state of dynamic equilibrium that exists within ecosystems essential for the continuity of life? Understandings Students will k now and be able to... Community ecology G.1.1 Outline the factors that affect the distribution of plant species, including temperature, water, light, soil pH, salinity and mineral nutrients. G.1.2 Explain the factors that affect the distribution of animal species, including temperature, water, breeding sites, food supply and territory.

Ecology and Conservation

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan

G.1.3 Describe one method of random sampling, based on quadrant methods, that is used to compare the population size of two plant or two animal species. G.1.4 Outline the use of a transect to correlate the distribution of plant or animal species with an abiotic variable. G.1.5 Explain what is meant by the niche concept, including an organisms spatial habitat, its feeding activities and its interactions with other species. G.1.6 Outline the following interactions between species, giving two examples of each: competition, herbivory, predation, parasitism and mutualism. G.1.7 Explain the principle of competitive exclusion. G.1.8 Distinguish between fundamental and realized niches. G.1.9 Define biomass . G.1.10 Describe one method for the measurement of biomass of different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Ecosystems and biomes G.2.1 Define gross production, net production and biomass . G.2.2 Calculate values for gross production and net production using the equation: gross production respiration = net production. G.2.3 Discuss the difficulties of classifying organisms into trophic levels. G.2.4 Explain the small biomass and low numbers of organisms in higher trophic levels. G.2.5 Construct a pyramid of energy, given appropriate information. G.2.6 Distinguish between primary and secondary succession, using an example of each. G.2.7 Outline the changes in species diversity and production during primary succession. G.2.8 Explain the effects of living organisms on the abiotic environment, with reference to the changes occurring during primary succession. G.2.9 Distinguish between biome and biosphere. G.2.10 Explain how rainfall and temperature affect the distribution of biomes. G.2.11 Outline the characteristics of six major biomes. Impacts of humans on ecosystems G.3.1 Calculate the Simpson diversity index for two local communities. G.3.2 Analyse the biodiversity of the two local communities using the Simpson index. G.3.3 Discuss reasons for the conservation of biodiversity using rainforests as an example. G.3.4 List three examples of the introduction of alien species that have had significant impacts on ecosystems. G.3.5 Discuss the impacts of alien species on ecosystems. G.3.6 Outline one example of biological control of invasive species. G.3.7 Define biomagnification. G.3.8 Explain the cause and consequences of biomagnification, using a named example. G.3.9 Outline the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on living tissues and biological productivity. G.3.10 Outline the effect of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer. G.3.11 State that ozone in the stratosphere absorbs UV radiation. Conservation of biodiversity G.4.1 Explain the use of biotic indices and indicator species in monitoring environmental change. G.4.2 Outline the factors that contributed to the extinction of one named animal species. G.4.3 Outline the biogeographical features of nature reserves that promote the conservation of 2

Ecology and Conservation

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan

diversity. G.4.4 Discuss the role of active management techniques in conservation. G.4.5 Discuss the advantages of in situ conservation of endangered species (terrestrial and aquatic nature reserves). G.4.6 Outline the use of ex situ conservation measures, including captive breeding of animals, botanic gardens and seed banks.

Population ecology G.5.1 Distinguish between r-strategies and K-strategies . G.5.2 Discuss the environmental conditions that favour either r-strategies or K-strategies. G.5.3 Describe one technique used to estimate the population size of an animal species based on a capturemarkreleaserecapture method. G.5.4 Describe the methods used to estimate the size of commercial fish stocks. G.5.5 Outline the concept of maximum sustainable yield in the conservation of fish stocks. G.5.6 Discuss international measures that would promote the conservation of fish.

Stage 2 - Assessment Evidence Performance Tasks Biomes Research Project (individual) Students are asked to create brochures for their assigned biome. Information to be included: Biomes characteristics: climate, average temperature, average precipitation, seasons, and locations in the world (continents, countries) Five plants that are found in the particular biome. Describe two adaptations they have for surviving in the biome. Ex. large horizontal roots Five animals that are found in the particular biome. Describe two adaptations they have for surviving in the biome. Ex. thick fur Threats to the biome and some causes/effects of the threats. Ex. deforestation-destroying habitats Bibliography Environmental Issue Project (assigned groups) In assigned groups, students assume the position of a group within an environmental agency Groups are told to write a proposal and make a presentation to the supervisor in attempt to get funding for their project Select and research an environmental issue Describe the effects of the issue on ecosystems and possible solutions Make a convincing argument for the best solution, include cost estimates Other Evidence Pre- and Post-Assessments Do Now assignments Homework assignments Notes for textbook readings Class participation Pop quizzes Unit exam

Ecology and Conservation Stage 3 - Learning Plan Learning Activities

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan

Lesson 1: Review of Ecology/Evolution and Introduction to Ecology/Conservation MA STE Content Standard 6.4, IB Standards G.1.1 - G.1.4 Do Now: Pre-assessment worksheet Group hypothesizing on distribution of given plant and animal species Homework: Take notes on textbook reading for niches Lesson 2: Niche IB Standards G.1.5 - G.1.8 Powerpoint lecture on niche Niche simulation game Homework: Write about niche of selected organism in its point-of-view Lesson 3 (Lesson Plan 1): Ecosystems MA STE Content Standard 6.3, IB Standards G.1.9 - G.2.5 Do Now: Food web worksheet Ecosystems video Population data group analysis Homework: Food-web pair assignment Lesson 4: Primary and Secondary Succession IB Standards G.2.6 - G.2.8 Ecological succession video and class discussion In-class computer lab time for Biomes Research Project Homework: Take notes on textbook reading for biomes Lesson 5: Biomes IB Standards G.2.9 - G.2.11 Powerpoint lecture of biome with videos In-class computer lab time for Biomes Research Project Homework: Take notes on textbook reading for biodiversity and Simpson index Lesson 6: Biodiversity (with Simpson Index) IB Standards G.3.1 - G.3.6 Simpson diversity index calculations Class discussion: Reasons for conservation of biodiversity Homework: Select one example of an alien species and produce a comic strip that illustrates its effects on existing ecosystems Lesson 7: Biomagnification IB Standards G.3.7 - G.3.11 Jigsaw readings on biomagnification Biomagnification simulation game Groups assigned for Environmental Issue Project Homework: Environmental Issue Project Lesson 8: Conservation of Biodiversity and Reproductive Strategies IB Standards G.4.1 - G.5.2 Jigsaw readings on different in situ and ex situ conservation measures 4

Ecology and Conservation

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan

Homework: Textbook reading on reproductive strategies, Environmental Issue Project

Lesson 9 (Lesson Plan 2): Population Sizes MA STE Content Standard 6.1-6.2, IB Standards G.5.3 Do Now: Reproductive strategies worksheet Think-Pair-Share: Population estimation scenario Board lecture on random sampling, Capture-Mark-Release-Recapture, and Lincoln index Exit Ticket: Choosing different population estimation methods Homework: Penguin flipper bands article, Environmental Issue Project Lesson 10: Population Ecology with Fish Stocks IB Standards G.5.4 - G.5.6 Do Now: Group reading of conservation of fish stock articles Class discussion: fish conservation Exit Ticket: Post-assessment worksheet Environmental Issue Project Submission