Week 5 - Conservation, Biotic and Abiotic, Studying the Environment, and Ecological Footprint

Lesson 2

ACTIVITY A: Many Scientists Study the Abiotic Part of Our Environment

The people at Environment Canada record and study the atmosphere, including weather, climate. They also study water quality and pollution problems across Canada. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans monitors both the biotic and abiotic interactions in our coastal waters. The province of Alberta also monitors the environment. Alberta Environment monitors air and water quality and waste management.

ACTIVITY B: Other Scientists Study the Biotic Part of Our Environment

Required Readings

Science in Action 7
pages 73-75
or
Science Focus 7
pages 24 - 25

Within Alberta Environment we can find two departments that look after the management of our forests and our wildlife. These departments have many ongoing studies of Alberta's ecosystems. Let's look at their study on bear feeding behaviour.

Exercise 4.2: Bear Study