LS2+(9-11)+-3

LS2 (9-11) -3 - GSE adopted by Jen Hawkin**s**
 * Students demonstrate an understanding of equilibrium in an ecosystem by …**

3a defining and __giving an example of equilibrium__ in an ecosystem.

3b describing __ways in which humans can modify ecosystems and describe and predict the potential impact__ (e.g. human population growth; technology; destruction of habitats; agriculture; pollution; and atmospheric changes).

3c describing __ways in which natural events (e.g. floods and fires) can modify ecosystems and describe and predict the potential effects.__

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 * Concepts in 3a**
 * Understanding systems (open/closed)
 * Equilibrium of natural cycles in an ecosystem
 * Carbon Cycle
 * Nitrogen Cycle
 * Water Cycle
 * Carrying Capacity
 * Concepts in 3b**
 * Different ways ecosystems can be altered
 * Pollution
 * Deforestation
 * Habitat loss
 * Over-exploitation
 * Introduced/Invasive species
 * Effects of altering an ecosystem
 * Effects that damage to one ecosystem might have on a global scale
 * Global Warming/Climate Change
 * Loss of Ozone Layer
 * Carbon footprints
 * Note: This GSE seems closely related to LS4 (9-11) -9.
 * Concepts in 3c**
 * Understanding ecological succession

__Human Impacts on Resources__ A. Population Growth B. Human Impact on Land C. Human Impact on Air D. Human Impact on Water
 * Exponential growth
 * Carrying Capacity
 * Density Dependent Factors vs. Independent Density Factors
 * Disease, Predators, Competition
 * Mining
 * Surface Mining
 * Underground Mining
 * Forestry
 * Deforestation
 * Soil Erosion
 * Urban Development
 * Solid Waste
 * Landfills
 * Reusing, Recycling, Reducing
 * Agriculture
 * Pesticides
 * Global Warming
 * Ozone Depletion
 * Photochemical Smog
 * Coal Burning
 * Acid Precipitation
 * Controlling the Source
 * Water Conservation
 * Water Pollution
 * Pollution of Ocean
 * Pollution of Groundwater
 * Reducing Water Pollution
 * The Safe Drinking Water Act
 * The Clean Water Act

What ideas to students need to understand before they can address the topics described above?

 * What equilibrium means
 * The definition/concept of an ecosystem
 * Definition of:
 * Pollution
 * Deforestation
 * Habitat Loss
 * Over-exploitation
 * Introduced/Invasive Species
 * Humans have an impact on ecosystems
 * Biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem and the differences between the two
 * Ecosystems have different cycles (i.e. carbon, nitrogen, water, etc)

What misconceptions are students likely to have about these topics?

 * Climate change and the loss of the ozone layer are pretty much the same thing.
 * Aerosol spray cans are a major contributor to climate change.
 * General pollution and toxic chemicals are major contributors to climate change.
 * The space program is a major contributor to climate change because it punches holes in the atmosphere.
 * Using nuclear power causes climate change.
 * Humans do not impact nature because we don't live in nature.
 * Humans are the only influence on ecosystems.
 * Global warming only affects the polar regions
 * Global warming will make all of the earth warm
 * Pollution is only in the air

What phenomena and representations help students understand these topics?

 * videos: "An Inconvenient Truth
 * Carbon Footprint Calculator
 * news articles regarding natural disasters

include component="page" page="Video - How We Wrecked the Oceans" This is video on its own page.

Released NECAP items

 * NECAP 2009 GR 11 07

News Related to Climate Change
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