PlantsOutcome: ES20-TE1 Examine the role plants play in an ecosystem, including ways in which humans use plants.

How I felt about plants before teaching ES 20

How I feel about them now.

Indicators

a. Discuss the many roles of plants including their roles as providers of ecological goods and services as well as natural capital. (K)

b. Examine the role of plants in First Nations and Metis cultures (medicinal, spiritual, nutritional, and shelter). (K, STSE)

c. Explain how plant morphology and physiology determines the role of plants in an ecosystem (e.g., leaves and photosynthesis, stems support and conduct fluids, roots anchor, absorb and store starch).(K)

d. Interpret the relationship between photosynthesis, respiration, and net primary productivity. (K)

e. Assess factors (e.g., monocultures, climate change, pesticides, and disease) which influence plant pollination and reproduction. (K)

f. Analyze the relationship between plants and climate change, including plants’ roles in reducing greenhouse gases, as well as potential impacts of climate change on plant growth and distribution. (STSE)

g. Investigate horticulture through activities such as designing or planting a garden plot. (S)

h. Critique the economic, environmental, and social impacts of small-scale and large-scale agricultural practices. (STSE)

i. Analyse current forestry practices and technologies (e.g., selective cutting, clear cutting, and integrated resource management) in terms of productivity, profitability and environmental stewardship. (STSE)

Role of Plantsa. Discuss the many roles of plants including their roles as providers of ecological goods and services as well as natural capital. (K)

Brainstorm – list 10 ways plants are used or are important to our world (likely an long answer question tied to this). clothing – cotton, hemp air – create oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis food for animals (including humans) medication smelling – relaxation – aromatherapy shelter climate change – global warming – uses CO2 teas and fruit drinks regulates water cycle – shade – for us and others

Natural capital – what does it involve?

Plants are used for…

ShadePhotosynthesis Oxygen Tobacco/marijuana Relaxant, pain reliever Adding flavours – eating - cooking Smelling – improves life. Decoration - beautification Protects soil from light and holds moisture Biofuel – ethanol – wheat. Burning wood! Use wood to make a house! Fossil fuels – condensed organic matter over time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q

Role of Plants – First Nations and Metis Cultureb. Examine the role of plants in First Nations and Metis cultures (medicinal, spiritual, nutritional, and shelter). (K, STSE)

Three Sisters PlantingNutritional and Spiritual Significance

PP – Phones & Partners

Medicinal – search for three with a partner and include:- Name (common and scientific) -- Significance/Use – http://www.nativeorchid.org/dorisMedicinalPlantTraditionalUses.htm

Shelter“They built the frame of the house with young saplings set in a circle and tied together at the top, and covered the frame with mats woven from cattails as well as birch bark.”http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/first_nations_inuit/shelter.cfm

Tipis – used from tall, straight trees and buffalo hide.

Quick Open Discussion

Based on what we know about climate change, how would it potentially affect plant growth?

How would/could plant growth mitigate climate change?

Role of Plants – Climate Change’s Impactf. Analyze the relationship between plants and climate change, including plants’ roles in reducing greenhouse gases, as well as potential impacts of climate change on plant growth and distribution. (STSE)

Self Check Assignment

1. List 10 ways plants are used or are important to our world (.5 marks each)

2. Define the term natural capital and state how this term may apply to plants as providers of ecological goods and services (use an example from your list above). (2 marks)

3. ANSWER TWO OF THE FOLLOWING (6):

a. What are the three plants associated with Three Sister’s Planting (3),

b. how do they interact and benefit one another (3),

c. what does each plant provide nutritionally (3)

Bonus

What is a spiritual lesson or interpretation we can take from the symbiotic (working together) relationship between the plants involved in Three Sisters Planting?

VIDEO!

I got a comment last year, why do we always have to learn about First nations stuff, felt this before?

Video on a guy describing 3 Sisters Planting… I think he’s cute. And not FN!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9crvQj-eS4

CORN n BEANS. CORN n BEANS. CORN n BEANS

SQUASH SQUASH SQUASH SQUASH SQUASH

Plant Morphology and Physiologyc. Explain how plant morphology and physiology determines the role of plants in an ecosystem (e.g., leaves and photosynthesis, stems support and conduct fluids, roots anchor, absorb and store starch).(K)

Plant Physiology 101 Plants = multicellular,

eukaryotic, sexually (and asexually) reproduce. Some have seeds, some don’t. Lots of ways to classify.

Discussion – list plants and compare their impact.

Leaves and Photosynthesis (and Respiration)

Nonvascular and vascular plants. Vascular have true roots, stems, and leaves.

Plant Morphology and Physiologyc. Explain how plant morphology and physiology determines the role of plants in an ecosystem (e.g., leaves and photosynthesis, stems support and conduct fluids, roots anchor, absorb and store starch).(K)

Stems – woody, herbaceous, vine, and shrubs. Functions: Provide stable support for plants, is a means to transport nutrients.Nodes and Internodes.

Roots – Functions: store excess carbohydrates as starch; are responsible for water and mineral uptake. Anchor plant in place.

Applying Plant Morphology to Pesticides/Agriculture

Crops have vascular tissue – xylem (one direction water and mineral transport from roots up) and phloem (any direction nutrient transfer throughout plant where needed).

Some pesticides damage roots, which will affect water uptake, which will inhibit photosynthesis.CO2 + H2O + energy C6H12O6 + O2

Net Primary Productivityd. Interpret the relationship between photosynthesis, respiration, and net primary productivity. (K)

Gross Plant Carbon (organic material production - photosynthesis) – Plant Respiration (doing work – cellular respiration) = Net Primary Productivity (what is actually available to the plant and consumers)

Self-Check Assignment

Answer the following /16

List the three different structures of vascular plants and what their functions for the plant are (6).

What is the difference between a vascular plant and a nonvascular plant (2)?

What is net primary productivity? How is it calculated? What ecosystems is it greatest in? What ecosystems is it the least in, why? (5)

Justify – what is your favourite plant and why? Is it vascular or nonvascular (3)?

What are the two vascular tissues in vascular plants and what do they transport? (4)

Plant Pollination and Reproduction Factorse. Assess factors (e.g., monocultures, climate change, pesticides, and disease) which influence plant pollination and reproduction. (K)

Monocultures and Disease(polycultures help, use different strains of the crop).

Climate change – temperature changes, how could invasive species come as a result?

Pesticides – root issues.

Outcome Summary

After completing Ch. 12 – Soil and Agriculture Soil Testing Lab

After completing Ch. 7 - Biodiversity Great! Good for you!

Role of Plants – Ch. Petlak