The Connection
The overarching idea for this unit is to create experiments and activities centered on plants, how they respond to their environments and the process of photosynthesis. I want students to understand the role of each plant part and the importance of the Sun to our survival. Without the Sun, life on Earth would not exist. The culminating activity for this unit is an Ecosystem Explo Activity. This will allow students to research and explore ecosystems all over the world and how the plants respond to that particular environment. They will research the landforms and other organisms inherent to that area, and the human impact involved in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem for all. They will research energy consumption and production and how it has an effect on the environment. There are pros and cons to any situation and students will evaluate both sides to develop their own perspective. Knowledge from their research will be used in Mock Debates and Socratic Seminars to share their ideas with their classmates. Since students will be exposed to various ecosystems around the world, it is also important for us to understand what an ecosystem is.
Ecosystems:
An ecosystem can be considered as a group of living and non-living organisms that interact with each other. The Sun is needed ultimately to keep the Ecosystems balanced. Ecosystems can vary in size from being as large as the Sahara Desert to as small as a cup of water. Within each ecosystem there are habitats and biomes. Habitats are places specific to a population such as ant colonies, bee colonies, etc. Biomes are ecosystems where several habitats interact. There are six major biomes in the world including: desert, tundra, temperate, grasslands, woodlands, and rainforests. There are 2 major water Ecosystems including Freshwater and Saltwater.
- Tundra Biome: This biome is generally found in cold places of the world such as Antarctica and survival of life is difficult. The soil is permafrost (frozen) and temperatures can reach below -60 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, the tundra changes and the sun is out 24 hours a day, which allow small plants to grow.
- Desert Biome: You can find at least one desert on every continent except Europe. Each desert is different in some way, but they all have one thing in common. In order for an area of land to be considered a desert, it must receive less than 10 inches of water a year.
- Grassland Biome: Over one quarter of the Earth's surface is covered by grasslands. Grasslands are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they make up most of Africa and Asia. There are several types of grassland and each one has its own name. Prairies, plains and savannas are all grasslands.
- Temperate Biome: The temperate forest biome is found in regions where winters are cold and summers are warm.Temperate forests are almost always made of two types of trees, deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous trees are trees that lose their leaves in the winter. Evergreens are trees that keep their leaves all year long, like pine trees.
- Taiga Biome (Woodland): It is very cold andsnowyin the taiga during winter, with below freezing average temperatures. While it is not uncommon for temperatures to dive below freezing during the summer as well, it is generally warmer then. Days are long during summer in the taiga, ice thaws, snow melts, and it is often rainy.
- Rainforest Biome: Rainforests get their name because they receive a lot of rain - an average of 80 inches (203 cm) a year! Rainforests are usually found at and near the equator, where it is always warm and muggy. The temperature doesn't change very much during the year. There are areas of rainforests where plants are densely packed. Areas where sunlight can reach the surface are full of interesting plants. In other areas, a canopy made from the branches and leaves of tall trees shades the ground below, preventing smaller plants from growing.
- Freshwater Ecosystem: Freshwater includes rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, springs and wetlands.
- Saltwater Ecosystem: Saltwater makes up more than 70% of the Earth's surface. It includes oceans, coral reefs and gets its name from the amount of salt content found within.
Environmental Impacts: How do Humans impact the balance of our ecosystem?
Deforestation
How does it affect plant growth?
Deforestation occurs when Earth's forests are cleared on a massive scale and damage the quality of land. In certain parts of our globe, trees serve as an umbrella or canopy that shields plants and animals from too much sun during the peak of the day and holds in heat at night. This disruption of temperature can disturb the balance of our ecosystem. Trees also play a vital role in absorbing the greenhouse gases from the air that are caused by use of fossil fuels. Removal of trees also disrupts the balance of greenhouse gases in the air. The Sun allows the trees to grow and survive through the process of photosynthesis. 8
Pollution
How does it affect plant growth?
Pollution can be caused both by natural disasters as well as human disasters. Every year factories in the United States release over 3 million tons of toxic chemicals in the land, air and water. 9 Pollution is also caused by industrial and commercial waste, agriculture practices and everyday human activities. Some of the major contributors of land pollution include: human sewage, oil refineries, littering, overcrowded landfills, etc.
To let students see the reality of pollution, have them go on a nature walk outside school and record any objects or activities that contribute to pollution. Then they will observe their own neighborhood and home for one week to collect data about the amount of pollution emitted by themselves or their family. An alarming fact discovered by the researchers from Green Students showed that 80% of trash that arrives in most landfills could be recycled, but wasn't. Major contributors to water pollution include: oil spills, human sewage, pesticides, fertilizers and household chemicals not properly disposed of.
When harmful pollutants are placed in the water, land or air it affects plants by all three areas. Too many harmful substances in the air prevent plants from providing oxygen for us to breathe. Too many harmful substances in the soil make it difficult for plants to sustain their growth. Too many harmful substances in the water travel to the plant as well transferring the harmful substances to the plant.
Comments: