Environmental Issue: Ecosystems
Background Information
The resources listed below are included in this module to help teachers prepare for and conduct their ecosystems unit.
Designed for Grades 4 and up
Subject Area: Biological and Environmental Science
Standards in Environment and Ecology addressed:
- 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interaction
- 4.3.7. Environmental Health
- 4.3.7. A Identify environmental health issues
- 4.3.7. B Describe how human action affect the health of the environment
- 4.9.7. A Explain the role of environmental law and regulations
General Teacher Resources:
Project Learning Tree
Project Wild, PA Game Commission
Ingram, M., (1993). Bottle Biology.Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company: Iowa
PBS offers teacher activities. In the activity "Economic Use of Public Natural Area" students use an online calculator to determine the amount of land required to sustain their lifestyles and understand how natural resources are being used to support them.(http://www.pbs.org/americanfieldguide/teachers/natural_areas/natural_areas_unit.html#4)
List of available Curriculum Re-alignment Materials offered through the Department of Education, Office of Environment and Ecology.
Documents on Ecosystens:
Glossary A-P; Glossary Q-Z
Websites with Ecosystem information:
General Information
- National Geographic - use their search engine for specifics
http://www.nationalgoegraphic.com - National Geographic - website for students K-4
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/education/gaw/biodiv/bio_k4_student.html - Secret Forest Experience - click on the left column "Kids: Secret Forest"
http://www.fseee.org/index.html - Issues in Ecology - Published by the Ecological Society of America, written to be understandable to non-scientists.
- Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems
http://www.esa.org/science/Issues/TextIssues/issue2.php - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes
http://www.esa.org/science/Issues/TextIssues/issue4.php
- Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
- Issues in Ecology - Published by the Ecological Society of America
See listing above - Sustaining Healthy Freshwater Ecosystems
http://www.esa.org/science/Issues/TextIssues/issue10.php - Great Lakes Information Network
http://www.great-lakes.net/ - Great Lakes United - An international coalition dedicated to protecting and restoring the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River ecosystem
http://www.glu.org/english/index.html
Watershed Protection
Ecosystem Stability and Biodiversity