Grade 9 Biology, Ecology Unit Lesson #5: Science Experience Outside the Classroom, Mountsberg Conservation Area

The Living Environment, Standard 4: Students will
understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining
to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the
historical development of ideas in science. 

Key Idea 1: Living things are both similar to and
different from each other and from nonliving things. 

Performance Indicator 1: Explain how diversity of
populations within ecosystems relates to the stability of ecosystems.

Major Understandings:

1.1a Populations can be categorized by the function they
serve. Food webs identify the relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers
carrying out either autotropic or heterotropic nutrition.

1.1b An ecosystem is shaped by the nonliving environment
as well as its interacting species. The world contains a wide diversity of physical
conditions, which creates a variety of environments.

1.1c In all environments, organisms compete for vital
resources. The linked and changing interactions of populations and the environment compose
the total ecosystem.

1.1d The interdependence of organisms in an established
ecosystem often results in approximate stability over hundreds and thousands of
years. For example, as one population increases, it is held in check by one or more
environmental factors or another species.

1.1e Ecosystems, like many other complex systems, tend to
show cyclic changes around a state of approximate equilibrium.

1.1f Every population is linked, directly or indirectly,
with many others in an ecosystem.  Disruptions in the numbers and types of species and
environmental changes can upset ecosystem stability.

1. Recognize
   the significance of conservation in our community


2. Identify
   several bird of prey species


3. Appreciate
   the value in conserving the natural resources in our community


4. Record
   the characteristics of one species to be discussed and/or seen on the
   field trip (each student assigned a different species)

1)   
Listening and participating in a large group presentation with
large birds of prey.

2)   
Cooperatively engaging in a guided hike in a natural ecosystem
environment.

3)   
Behaving respectfully and politely in a public setting to
positively represent the student�s high school.