MyScienceLab

Ecology

All life is interelated and interdependent.  Discover the biosphere and the importance of biodiversity on Earth.

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How efficient is the transfer of energy among organisms in an ecosystem?
Food Webs-Energy flows in one direction.

Matter is recycled throughout the Bioshpere in Biogeochemical cycles.

Can you trace the movement of matter in a biogeochemical cycle?

The Biosphere

What is Ecology?

What are the levels of organization that ecologists study?

What are the methods used to study ecology?

Energy Flow

What is the source of energy for life processes?

What is the flow of energy through living systems?

NOTES: This page has notes on energy flow through an ecosystem and provides a review of this section all on one page.

DO: Review the notes then find the link to build your own Forest food web.

DO: Similar to build your own food web activity but with an Ocean Food Webs  Create An Ocean Food Web Open a new window in fullscreen  

EXPLORE:Chemosynthesis- Learn about hydrothermal vents and the ecosystems they support. 

EXPLORE: Hydrothermal vent communities with a self quiz. W

EXPLORE: Watch a slide show about Coral Reef Ecosystem food webs. 

 

Cycles of Matter

How does matter cycle among the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem?

Why are nutrients important in living systems?

How does the availability of nutrients affect the productivity of ecosystems?

DO: How does Nitrogen move through an ecosystem? View this animation of the Nitrogen cycle to find out!

NOTES:Toxic Algal Blooms Website

WEB RESOURCES

 

þA list of Think Quest Websites on Endangered Species created by students

þThis is a list of Think Quest Websites on Ecology created by students

þLinks to sites on Environmental Chemistry

þThe Environmental Protection Agency

þAir Quality and Environmental Health Issues

þThis is the Online Environmental Community Website EnviroLink

þA student created website on Environmental Problems

þEcoWorld This site provides good overview of the science behind Environmental Issues

þOverview of the Greenhouse Gases

þThe EPAs Global Warming

þTake the Ozone Tour

þCarbon Dioxide in the Biosphere

þA student guide to Global Climate Change

þCauses, Effects and Solutions of Acid Rain

þUnited States Geologic Survey Acid Rain

Humans in the Biosphere

How do human activities affect the bioshpere?
DO: How do greenhouse gases contribute to global warming?  View this animation to find out!

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

How environmental resources are classified?

How do human activities affect land, air, and water resources?

What are the characteristics of sustainable use?

Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity and why is it important?

What are the current threats to biodiversity?

What are the goals of conservation biology?

MY WEBQUEST: The Science of Earth Day!

 

 
Ecology in the News!

Environment news
Headlines provided by Moreover

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Populations

What are the characteristics used to describe a population?

What factors can affect population size and population growth?

What is the difference between exponential and logistic growth?

 

Human Population Growth

How has the size of the human population changed over time?

Why do population growth rates differ in countries throughout the world?

 
Ecosystems and Communities

What Shapes an Ecosystem?

How do biotic and abiotic factors influence an ecosystem?

What are the interactions that occur within communities?

How do ecosystems recover from a disturbance?

What are the characteristics of major land biomes?

EXPLORE: Use these hyperlinks to research the worlds biomes and ecosystems:

Biomes of the World - http://mbgnet.mobot.org/index.html

Habitats and Ecosystems http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html

Ecosystems - http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/ecosystems.html&edu=high

Introduction to Biomes - http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html

Biomes - http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/index1.html

Earth Floor: Biomes - http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html

Blue Planet Biomes - http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

Cyber Zoo Biome Resources - http://lsb.syr.edu/projects/cyberzoo/biome.html

The World's Biomes - http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php

Earth Observatory - http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Laboratory/Biome/

Learn About Biomes - http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/education/projects/webunits/biomes/index.html

Nature Works - Habitats http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep5.htm

Build-A-Prairie http://www.bellmuseum.org/distancelearning/prairie/

The Digital Desert - http://ddl.nmsu.edu/kids/

Biomes of the World - http://mbgnet.mobot.org/index.html

Habitats and Ecosystems http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html

Ecosystems - http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/ecosystems.html&edu=high

Ocean Biome - http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/biomes/oceans.html

World Biomes - http://www.worldbiomes.com/default.htm

Kids Do Eology - http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/

Eduscapes - http://eduscapes.com/nature/index.htm

 

Aquatic Ecosystems

What are the factors that govern aquatic ecosystems?

What are the two types of freshwater ecosystems?

What are the threats to Florida's Everglade ecosystem?

EXPLORE: Learn more about Florida's Coral Reef Ecosystems

EXPLORE: Mangroves-Roots of the Sea What makes mangroves so unique and so important?

DO THIS WEBQUEST: Creating a presentation on ecosystems

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