Interdependence: Landforms can affect the efficiency of an ecosystem

Presenter: Ms. Joan Tucker, STEP I

Landforms impact the ecosystems significantly. The impact affect abiotic

changes which in turn affects living organisms within the ecosystem.

Standards• Standard 5.3 Life Science: All students will understand that life science

principles are powerful conceptual tools for making sense of the complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Order in natural systems arises in accordance with rules that govern the physical world, and the order of natural systems can be modeled and predicted through the use of mathematics.

• Strand C. Interdependence : All animals and most plants depend on both other organisms and their environment to meet their basic needs.

• By the end of grade Content Statement CPI# Cumulative Progress Indicator (CPI) 6 The number of organisms and populations an ecosystem can support depends on the biotic resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition.

• 5.3.6.C.2 Predict the impact that altering biotic and abiotic factors has on an ecosystem.

What do you visualize when you hear the word mountaintop?

Is coal mining a relevant business in 2010?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPixjCneseE• http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplan

s/programs/mtbarrier/

• Click here to review lesson plan

Experiment: Mountain Barriers

Materials needed:Clear containersRocks, styrofoam cups, food coloring, measuring

cups, hot water, cold or room temperature water

Drawing paper, pencils

Set-up

• A. First create the mountain range in container. Students should make sure the range is centered and stable. A team member can focus on drawing the configuration while others prepare the hot water reservoir.

• B. Add reservoir cup and tape outside the dish. Add water to the dish covering simulated barrier. Do not cover the barrier entirely.

Ponderings

• Facilitating critical thinking- suggest what students should look for and ask what they think

• http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab1/concepts.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Mountains

• Water current issues• Fluidity of hot and cold water

Maps and additional aids

• http://www.freeworldmaps.net/northamerica/united-states/map.html

• http://www.atlapedia.com/online/maps/physical/USA_E.htm

• http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/United-States-TOPOGRAPHY.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_the_United_States

Connections

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountaintop_removal_mining#Legislation_in_the_United_States

• http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/327/5962/148?ijkey=c6.2aOadMa2q.&keytype=ref&siteid=sci

• For examples of questions formed by the instructor click here

Additions or Questions

• Concepts embedded in activity• Significance to environmental issue• New simulations• Graphic organizers