ECOLOGY AND THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

People and the Biosphere Ecology L3.00
Unifying Concepts of Science Organization 2.3a

CURRICULAR CORRELATIONS

GOAL:

    To develop an understanding of the interdependence of all organisms and the need for conserving natural resources
CONCEPT L:
    The earth's biosphere is variously subdivided according to specific characteristics.
CONTENT OBJECTIVE:
    Ecology L3.00 To understand the location and characteristics of each of the seven biogeographical regions
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:

    3.01 map the locations of each of the biogeographical regions.
    3.02 describe the characteristics of each of the biogeographical regions.
OUTLINE OF CONTENT:
    I . Biogeography is the study of the distribution of plants and animals throughout the world.
    II. Each of the six biogeographical regions is centered around a continent.
      A. Nearctic: U.S. and Canada
      B. Palaearctic: Europe and Asia
      C. Neotropical: South America
      D. Ethiopean: Africa
      E. Oriental: Indonesia
      F. Australian: Australia
    III. Each biogeographical region has its own characteristics.
      A. Nearctic: many reptiles and other vertebrates
      B. Palaearctic: few vertebrates
      C. Neotropical: 16 of the 32 families of mammals are restricted to this region
      D. Ethiopean: tropical forest, savanna, grasslands, and desert
      E. Oriental: rich in primate species
      F. Australian: marsupials are dominant, lack native placental mammals
    IV. Label the biogeographical region on a map of the world

COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Unifying Concepts of Science

GOAL:

To enable students to acquire scientific knowledge by applying concepts, theories, principles and laws from life/environmental, physical and earth/space sciences.

THEME:
2.3 ORGANIZATION - Everything is organized as related systems within systems.
STANDARD(S): The learner will understand that:
2.3a - Natural phenomena display a wide variety of similarities and differences.

BENCHMARK: Both the uniqueness and commonality of organisms affects the relationship within and among ecosystems.


CLASSROOM CONNECTOR

TIME REQUIRED:

    45 minutes. Teacher may want to plan an extra day for the library work.
MATERIALS:
    Copies of a world map
SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
    Nearctic, Palaearctic, neotropical, ethiopean, oriental, australian
SET:
    What kind of animal typifies the Old West? (Answers should include horses and cows.) What kind of animal does the North Pole bring to mind? (Polar bear.) Africa? (lion, elephant, etc... )
INSTRUCTION:
    When the teutonic plates that made up Pangaea drifted apart, organism began evolving and adapting to new environments. Today, the earth is divided into distinguishable biogeographical regions.

    Biogeography is the study of the distribution of plants and animals throughout the world. There are six biogeographical regions. Each region encompasses a continent and has its own characteristic plant and /or animal life.

    The U.S. and Canada are in the Nearctic region. This region contains many reptiles and other vertebrates. (Have students make a list of the animals that occur naturally in this region. Have them research the origin of the horse to learn what continent it originated on.)

    The Palaearctic region encompasses Europe and Asia. There are very few vertebrates in this region.

    South America is in the Neotropical region. Of all the regions, this one has the greatest number of mammalian species. 16 of the 32 families of mammals are restricted to this region.

    The Ethiopian region is centered around Africa. The characteristic plants of this region are tropical forest, savanna, grasslands, and desert.

    Indonesia is in the Oriental region. This area is rich in primate species.

    Australia is in the Australian region. The dominant life forms here are the marsupials. This area lacks placental mammals.

SUPERVISED PRACTICE:
    Use the library to find the names and pictures of various plants and animals that live in the various biogeographical regions. Have students draw and label the pictures.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE:
    Write a book report on a selected biogeographical region.
CLOSURE:
    Biogeography means the geography of life. It is the study of the distribution of plants and animals throughout the world. Each of the six biogeographical regions encompasses a continent and has its own characteristic plant and/or animal life.

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