Ecosystems

** Biology Topic // " __ Ecosystems __ " //**  __ Biologists __ study living things. They investigate how living things function and how they live together. People like doctors and dentists use their knowledge of biology to help keep people and their teeth healthy. ||
 * < ** BIOLOGY is… ** ||
 * The study of living things. There are many branches of Biology. Zoology is concerned with animals and Botany with plants. Entomology is the study of insects while Microbiology is the study of living things that are too small to see without the help of a microscope.

**Learning Aims**
 * Identify relationships between living things that help them survive in their habitat.
 * Describe interactions between living things, and between living things and their non-living surroundings.
 * Recognise that organisms can be classified according to their feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
 * Explain the role of biotic and abiotic factors on the survival of organisms within an ecosystem.
 * Discuss the possible environmental impact of man on some ecosystems (e.g. forests, freshwater)
 * Explain how energy and matter are maintained in ecosystems.

** Learning Tasks ** __ Introduction __ In this topic you will learn about the components of an ecosystem through explicit teaching and investigation. You will be working as a member of a team to investigate a native animal found in the fauna park. You will also have the opportunity to observe your animal in its natural habitat. You will have time each week in class to work as a team to investigate the key questions below for your animal. Record your findings in your book. At the end of the unit, your team will need to submit a report answering the questions below. Its important that you pay attention during the explicit teaching classes so that you are prepared with what you need to know to help your team proceed with your own investigation.

__ Your Investigation __ Describe the habitat that the organism lives in. Identify abiotic and biotic factors that affect the organism.
 * PART A -Habitat **
 * ** Key Questions: ** ||
 * # What type of habitat does the organisms inhabit?
 * 1) What are three or more biotic factors in the environment?
 * 2) How does the biotic factors affect the organism?
 * 3) What are three or more abiotic factors in the environment
 * 4) How does the abiotic factors affect the organism? ||

Identify the areas where the species is found. Describe and explain the species population and population density in those areas.
 * PART B –Species Population **
 * ** Key Questions: ** ||
 * # Where are they found?
 * 1) How many are there? What is their total population?
 * 2) What is their population density?
 * 3) Has the population changed over time?
 * 4) ** Why has the population changed over time? ** ||

Create a food chain/ web for your organism Remember to collect useful resources so that you can collate an accurate bibliography.
 * PART C -Interactions with the environment. **
 * ** Key Questions: ** ||
 * # Identify one or more producers in your animal’s ecosystem and describe its role in the ecosystem.
 * 1) Identify one or more consumers in your animal’s ecosystem and describe its role in the ecosystem.
 * 2) Identify one or more predators in your animal’s ecosystem and describe its role in the ecosystem.
 * 3) Identify one or more decomposers in your animal’s ecosystem and describe its role?
 * 4) Create a food web for your organism
 * 5) Create a food chain for your organism
 * 6) What does a food chain/ web represent? ||

** Learning intention1: **
 * Lessons **
 * To explain why understanding about ecosystems is important.


 * To identify the differences between an ecosystem and a habitat


 * Success Criteria: **
 * I can explain the difference between an ecosystem and a habitat


 * EXTENSION TASKS **
 * Task 1:** Read the following article on o//utsmarting Algae// and work through the questions below.

@http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110913103105.htm
 * 1) Create a glossary of at least 5 or more new or key words.
 * 2) Summarise the main points of the article.
 * 3) What type of habitat does algae live in? Research and describe features of the habitat, is algae apart of any food chains?
 * 4) Using knowledge from the article as well as your own prior knowledge and understanding __explain__ in depth why YOU think algal populations are an issue, consider how the ecosystem is affected.
 * 5) What are researchers proposing to do to try and fix the issue? Describe how its going to work.
 * 6) What do you think the next step of their research will need to be?
 * 7) Design at least 5 interview questions to gather information from the researcher about the research discussed.
 * 8) What new science ideas have you learnt from completing this extension task?

**Resources**
 * Documents **
 * Group Project -Key Question Sheet [[file:A Local Species Study-Assignment.docx]]
 * Group Project -Answer Sheet [[file:A local species study -Answer sheet.docx]]
 * Ecosystems Powerpoint [[file:Ecosystems2.ppt]]

** Information Resourc es **
 * Australian Ecosystems @http://www.gullivermedia.com.au/resources-for-schools/for-schools.php
 * Biology For Kids __ [] __
 * Science Daily -Ecosystem News @http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/ecosystems/

Class area, Subject reference 2011, Year 7 Science, Science TEXT
 * Science Text Books **