Unit A Introduction
Completion requirements
Unit A: Biodiversity |
Learning Targets |
Introduction
This unit is about biodiversity and includes very specific vocabulary.
Some of those words you might recognize. Throughout this course, you will notice that some words appear with a blue font. These are the glossary terms, and they are important to learn, so be sure to click on them to read the glossary term definitions.
Some of the vocabulary is from previous science courses, these terms have been made bold in the reading. If you do not remember the bold terms in this section, the videos included might help you to remember them.
Refreshing your memory before you begin the unit is important. Please read all the paragraphs carefully in this section.
The following videos will remind you that ecosystems are made of abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) parts. All living organisms in an ecosystem have basic needs such as food, water, and shelter.
Some of those words you might recognize. Throughout this course, you will notice that some words appear with a blue font. These are the glossary terms, and they are important to learn, so be sure to click on them to read the glossary term definitions.
Some of the vocabulary is from previous science courses, these terms have been made bold in the reading. If you do not remember the bold terms in this section, the videos included might help you to remember them.
Refreshing your memory before you begin the unit is important. Please read all the paragraphs carefully in this section.
The following videos will remind you that ecosystems are made of abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) parts. All living organisms in an ecosystem have basic needs such as food, water, and shelter.
Figure 1
- A scientist studies a wetland ecosystem.
Watch
Watch the video
“What is an Ecosystem?” about the abiotic and biotic factors of an ecosystem. Recall the
basic
needs of survival for all species.
Watch "The Food Chain" video for an overview of food chains and the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems.
Interactive
Food Chains
Food Chains represent a single flow of matter and energy through an ecosystem. A food chain is drawn showing a beginning and an end. A food web, on the other hand, shows how matter continually cycles through many different paths in an ecosystem. It
also shows the many ways energy flows through an ecosystem.
Click here to watch the BrainPOP interactive video "Food Chains" about producers, consumers, and decomposers. When you are finished watching, explore some of the other activities on this page.
Click here to watch the BrainPOP interactive video "Food Chains" about producers, consumers, and decomposers. When you are finished watching, explore some of the other activities on this page.
You will need a username and password to access the video.
- Username: 0099
- Password: students
Where a species lives is its
habitat. All the same species living together in a certain area make up its
population. The combination of various populations that live in one ecosystem is a
community.
In this community, we can expect many predator-prey relationships such as the lynx and rabbit that you learned about in Grade 7. The lynx is the predator, and the prey is the rabbit. Basically, the rabbit is the lynx’s dinner. Realize that each species in our world has a special role in a food web.
In this community, we can expect many predator-prey relationships such as the lynx and rabbit that you learned about in Grade 7. The lynx is the predator, and the prey is the rabbit. Basically, the rabbit is the lynx’s dinner. Realize that each species in our world has a special role in a food web.
The removal of any species from this web can have devastating effects on the world. Whether
producers, consumers, or
decomposers
are removed, the effect on the balance of Earth is enormous.
Did you know that certain species have unique adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme environments such as the desert, a salty lake, or the Arctic?
A good example of this is the northern cod. Northern cod have a special protein in their tissues and blood that acts like antifreeze. This adaptation allows them to survive and be active in extremely low temperature waters.
All species have adaptations. Adaptations, whether behavioural or structural, increase the rate of survival of a species.
Did you know that certain species have unique adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme environments such as the desert, a salty lake, or the Arctic?
A good example of this is the northern cod. Northern cod have a special protein in their tissues and blood that acts like antifreeze. This adaptation allows them to survive and be active in extremely low temperature waters.
All species have adaptations. Adaptations, whether behavioural or structural, increase the rate of survival of a species.
Interactive
Ecosystem Adaptations
Click here to watch the BrainPOP video “Ecosystems". It reviews various behavioural and structural adaptations. When you are finished watching, explore some of the other activities on this page.
Click here to watch the BrainPOP video “Ecosystems". It reviews various behavioural and structural adaptations. When you are finished watching, explore some of the other activities on this page.
You will need a username and password to access the video.
While viewing this video identify three adaptations of plants or animals that allow the organism to thrive in the hostile desert environment. Classify each adaptation as structural or behavioural.
-
Username: 0099
- Password: students
While viewing this video identify three adaptations of plants or animals that allow the organism to thrive in the hostile desert environment. Classify each adaptation as structural or behavioural.
Cacti store water: structural
Kangaroo rats sleep underground where it is cooler: behavioural
Owls prey at night when the sun goes down: behavioural
Kangaroo rats sleep underground where it is cooler: behavioural
Owls prey at night when the sun goes down: behavioural
Furthermore, to sustain life, humans must be aware of our ecological
footprints.
How do we affect the environment we live in? If humans cut down rainforests and are not conscious of preserving them, we could see a quick decline in various species. A decline in one species affects the food pyramid for all species. This leads to unbalanced ecosystems that have devastating effects on the environment.
Our actions have consequences. We use water, electricity, and fuel in some way every day. We produce garbage, sewage, and pollution our entire lives. There are billions of humans on Earth, and each of us is partly responsible for our impact on the natural world around us.
How do we affect the environment we live in? If humans cut down rainforests and are not conscious of preserving them, we could see a quick decline in various species. A decline in one species affects the food pyramid for all species. This leads to unbalanced ecosystems that have devastating effects on the environment.
Our actions have consequences. We use water, electricity, and fuel in some way every day. We produce garbage, sewage, and pollution our entire lives. There are billions of humans on Earth, and each of us is partly responsible for our impact on the natural world around us.
Watch
Check how humans affect the environment in the video "Human Footprint!"
Watch the video "The Ecological Footprint: Accounting for a Small
Planet". It reviews the concept of an ecological footprint.
For more interesting videos on adaptations watch the following "Adaptations" and "Animal Adaptations".