SNC1D

Name: _________________________

Understanding Ecosystems Unit 3

Day

Textbook Section & Topic

Assigned work

2.1 Life on Planet Earth

What is the atmosphere made up of?
Difference between Lithosphere and hydrosphere
What is the biosphere?
Draw a diagram of the biosphere (fig.3 pg. 30)

1) Read Pg. 29-30

2) Make notes on 2.1 topics
3) Watch video (Ecology:
Rules for living)
4) The Biosphere and Factors
in Ecosystems HO

2.2. Introducing Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors
(examples of each)
What are characteristic abiotic and biotic features of a
rotting log
Define sustainable ecosystem and sustainability

1) Read Pg. 32-35

2) Make notes on 2.2 topics
3) Watch videos (What is an
Ecosystem?)
4) The Biosphere and Factors
in Ecosystems ppt

2.4 Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Describe the process of photosynthesis. What organisms can
photosynthesize? What is the word equation for
photosynthesis? What are the reactants and products of
photosynthesis?
Describe the process of cellular respiration. What organisms
can perform cellular respiration? What is the word equation
for cellular respiration? What are the reactants and products
of cellular respiration?

1) Read Pg. 38-41

2) Make notes on 2.4 topics
3) Watch video
(Photosynthesis)
4) Energy Flow in Ecosystems
HO and PPT

2.5 Food Webs & Ecological Pyramids

what is an ecological niche?
describe food webs and food chains (with examples)
why do food chains not exist in nature?
describe the different trophic levels in a food web
describe the three types of ecological pyramids (energy,
numbers and biomass) and give examples of each

1) Read Pg. 42-47

2) Make notes on 2.5 topics
3) Watch video (Ecosystem
Ecology)
4) Food chains, webs and
pyramids ppt

2.6 Cycling of Matter in Ecosystems

what is a biogeochemical cycle?
describe the water cycle (be sure to have diagrams or a
model)
describe the carbon cycle (be sure to have diagrams or a
model)
describe the nitrogen cycle (be sure to have diagrams or a
model)

1) Read Pg. 48-51

2) Make notes on 2.6 topics
3) Watch videos (Simpson
Acid Rain, Hydro. and
Carbon Cycles)
4) Cycling of Matter in
Ecosystems ppt
5) Cycles in ecosystem HO

2.7 Biotic and Abiotic Influences on Ecosystems

explain the biotic and abiotic things that can influence an
ecosystem
differentiate between the density dependent and density
independent factors
explain the 5 types of ecological relationships
describe the difference between a species tolerance range
and it's optimal range
what is carrying capacity?

1) Read Pg. 52-55

2) Make notes on 2.7 topics
3) Watch videos (How does
Climate change affect
biodiversity, Symbiosis)
4) Populations and limiting
factors ppt
5) Abiotic and Biotic
Influences HO

***

Quiz on 2.1 2.7 (Day 1 to 6) review notes and assigned work

Date:

SNC1D

Day

Name: _________________________

Textbook Section & Topic

Assigned work

3.2 Equilibrium and Succession

explain what equilibrium is in an ecosystems, providing
examples
explain ecological succession, providing examples
differentiate between primary and secondary succession
describe the benefits of succession to an ecosystem

1) Read Pg. 80-82

2) Make notes on 3.2 topics
3) Watch video (Ecological
Succession)

3.3 Biodiversity and Species at Risk

what is biodiversity?
where is biodiversity highest? lowest? why?
what is species richness?
describe some of the factors that could affect biodiversity in
an area
explain the different levels of species at risk and include at
least one Canadian species from each level to discuss

1) Read Pg. 83-85

2) Make notes on 3.3 topics
3) Watch videos (Why is
biodiversity so important,
Human activity that
threatens biodiversity))
4) Biodiversity ppt
5) Biodiversity HO

3.4 Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Explain which factors improve sustainability
Regions where habitat loss is most rapid
Impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems
Why is habitat loss a serious threat?
How do your habits contribute to habitat
loss/fragmentation?

1) Read Pg. 87-90

2) Make notes on 3.4 topics
3) Watch videos (Exposed:
Santander, Loss of Habitat
Koala)
4) Habitat fragmentation and
Invasive species ppt

10

3.5 Invasive Species

Give examples of invasive species
Describe the impact of invasive species
Discuss the ecological consequences of introducing invasive
species
Explain controls for invasive species

1) Read Pg. 91-94

2) Make notes on 3.5 topics
3) Watch videos (High stakes
of the great Lakes, Great
Lakes)
4) Habitat Fragmentation and
Invasive Species HO

11

3.6 Pollution
How acid precipitation occurs
Techniques used to reduce acid precipitation
Explain the impact of oil spills
Describe methods of oil spill clean up
What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?
Discuss the ecological impacts of plastics

1) Read Pg. 96-101

2) Make notes on 3.6 topics
3) Watch videos (Pollution,
China Pollution, Profit
Pollution Docu., Great
Pacific Garbage Patch)
4) Pollution ppt
5) Pollution HO

***

Quiz on 3.2 3.6 (Day 7 to 11) review notes and assigned work

Date:

SNC1D

Name: _________________________

Day

Textbook Section & Topic

Assigned work

12

4.2 Soil, Fertilizers and Alternative Farming

Explain the importance of soil
What are natural and synthetic fertilizers
The advantages and disadvantages of synthetic vs. natural
fertilizers
Describe the environmental impacts of fertilizers
What is leaching
Describe soil compaction (be sure to discuss water flow)
Describe alternative farming practices

1) Read Pg. 123-128

2) Make notes on 4.2 topics
3) Watch videos (5 human
impacts on the environment,
BP Oil spill 5 years later)
4) Soil ppt
5) Managing the soil HO

13

4.6 Reducing your Ecological Footprint

Explain impact of energy consumption in the home
Describe the environmental impact of transportation
Discuss ecological impacts associated with food
consumption
Strategies used to reduce one's ecological footprint
Why some people are not doing many of the strategies?

1) Calculating carbon footprint

2) How does it compare to
Ontario, Canada and the
World
3) Electrocity Assignment
4) Watch videos (GoPro
Climate change, Simple
show Carbon footprint,
Cesar Harada, Where is the
biggest, Plasticized)

***

Unit TEST on Days 1 to 13 review notes and assigned work

Date:
Learning Goals for the Unit

I will understand that human activity (e.g., urban sprawl, introduction of invasive species,
overhunting/overfishing) threatens the sustainability of a terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem
I will interpret data from undisturbed and disturbed ecosystems (terrestrial and/or aquatic),
communicate the results graphically and explain the importance of biodiversity for all sustainable
ecosystems
I will understand effect of human activity on the populations of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
by interpreting data and conducting water studies at the ponds near the school
I will be able to compare and contrast biotic and abiotic characteristics of sustainable and
unsustainable terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through field studies near the school
I will be able to describe the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis with respect to the
flow of energy and the cycling of matter within ecosystems and explain how human activities can
disrupt the balance achieved by these processes
I will be able to describe the limiting factors of ecosystems (e.g., nutrients, space, water, energy,
predators), and explain how these factors affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem (e.g., the
effect of an increase in the moose population on the wolf population in the same ecosystem)
I can identify the earths four spheres (biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere), and
describe the relationship that must exist between these spheres if diversity and sustainability are to
be maintained
I can identify various factors related to human activity that have an impact on ecosystems and
explain how these factors affect the equilibrium and survival of ecosystems