Unit 8: Ecology
Time line: 2 1/2 Weeks
1. Define Ecology and demonstrate the relationships between the biotic and abiotic factors.
2. Compare the terrestrial biomes by discussing their characteristics and their relationships to each other.
3. Evaluate the various aquatic biomes as to their dependence on light, pH, temperature,and community structure.
4. Develop an understanding of population dynamics. Determine the factors that regulate population growth, and be able to describe the phase of growth a given population is in.
5. Analyze the process of biological succession.
6. Define the hierarchy of an ecosystem as related to its biotic organization and abiotic factors.
7. Analyze the relationships of the nutrient cycles in relation to living organisms in an ecosystem.
1. Teacher Lab: Understanding the Earth's Biomes. Students will examine the characteristics of each of the earth's terrestrial biomes. Objectives: 1 and 2.
2. Teacher Lab: Aquatic Biomes a Comparison. Students will compare and contrast the marine and fresh water biomes. Objectives: 1 and 3.
3. Scenario Paper: Students will be given a theoretical population scenario. They are to predict the possible outcomes as related to the fluctuation of the population by applying the theories of population dynamics. Objective: 4.
4. Teacher Lab: Biological Succession the causes and effects. Objective : 5.
5. A P Lab # 12: Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Production. Objectives: 6 and 7.
6. Complete the worksheets on population ecology and general ecology.
1. A P Lab is a summative exercise.
2. Major Test is a summative exercise, and will follow the format of the Biology AP end of year Test.
3. Scenario is a summitive exercise.
4. Teacher Labs are formative and will not be included in the grading process.
5. Pop quizzes are formative assessments.
1. A P Biology Laboratory Manual, College Entrance Examination
Board, Princeton, N.J., Edition C, 1992.
2. Biology Fourth Edition, Neil Campbell, Obj. 1, Pp. 1051-56;
Obj. 2, Pp. 1058-68; Obj. 3, Pp. 1068-71; Obj. 4, Pp. 1075-90;
Obj. 5, Pp. 1105-08; Obj. 6, Pp. 1115-23; Obj. 7, Pp. 1123-28.
3. The Biology Problem Solver, Pp. 960-992.