Bio+-+Ecosystems+&+Their+Interactions

=Unit Title: Ecosystems and Their Interactions= Grade level: 10 Subject Area: Accelerated Biology Unit Designer: Cinda Murray Time frame: 4 weeks =Pennsylvania Environment & Ecology Standard:= 4.6.10A Explain the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem and their interactions. 4.6.10B Explain how cycles affect the balance in an ecosystem. 4.6.10C Analyze how ecosystems change over time.

=Performance Indicators / Objectives:= • Students will compare the interactions of biotic and abiotic components in an ecosystem. • Students will analyze the effects of abiotic factors on specific ecosystems. • Students will describe how the availability of a resource affects organisms in the ecosystem. • Students will explain energy flow in a food chain through an energy pyramid. • Students will explain trophic levels. • Student will evaluate the efficiency of energy flow in a food chain. • Students will explain how erosion and sedimentation have changed the quality of soil related habitats. • Students will explain the concept of carrying capacity in an ecosystem. • Students will interpret possible causes of population fluctuations. • Students will examine and explain how organisms modify their environments to sustain their needs. • Students will identify a specific environmental impact and predict how what change may take place to affect homeostasis. • Students will identify the major biomes and explain their similarities and differences. • Students will assess the effects of latitude and altitude on biomes. • Students will describe an element cycle and its role in the ecosystem. • Students will explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles. • Students will identify causes of succession. • Students will identify and explain the succession stages in an ecosystem. • Students will analyze the consequences of interrupting natural cycles.

=Essential Vocabulary:= Biosphere Ecology Ecosystem Organism Species Population Community Habitat Autotroph Heterotroph Biotic factor Abiotic factor Food chain Food web Producer Consumer Herbivore Secondary consumer Carnivore Detritivore Decomposer Omnivore Tertiary consumer Scavenger Decomposer Trophic Level Energy pyramid Soil horizon Limiting factor Carrying capacity Coniferous forest Deciduous Biome Homeostasis desert Ecological pyramid Biomass Ecological succession Primary succession Pioneer species Climax community Secondary succession Niche photosynthesis chemosynthesis biogeochemical cycle evaporation transpiration nutrient nitrogen fixation denitrification primary productivity limiting nutrient

=Performance tasks:= Graded notebooks Participation points Lab activities Worksheets Lab practicals Homework Quia Quizzes Tests – written and oral Presentations / Projects Web-based Activities / Vodcasts

=Writing:= Note-taking Summarizing / reflections Essays Forums Creative writing Descriptive writing Lab reports Chats online

=Thinking:= Analyzing Evaluating Compare / Contrast Synthesizing

=Speaking:= Small group discussions Class discussions Oral Presentations Oral Assessments

=Reading:= Graphic organizers Outlining / note taking Foldables Popcorn read Reading software

=Teaching strategies:= Lecture & discussion Lab Activities Field trips / Outdoor labs Computer simulations VCR/DVD Smart board Guided practice Bell ringers

=Adaptations:= Differentiated materials & as per IEPs

=Open ended Question:=

What affects an ecosystem?

Daily Lesson Agendas can be found @