Ecology

What is Ecology? The study of the interaction of living things with each other and with the non-living factors in their environment/ecosystem. An ecosystem is the set of relationships between groups of living organisms as well as between these groups and the non-living components in a certain area.

Behaviour/Psychology Why Study Ecology? There is very little in the world that is not ecology: Physiology Behaviour/Psychology Genetics Ecology Evolution Ecology affects us and everything that is living and non-living around us. It’s about relationships.

The Environment Hydrosphere Lithosphere Atmosphere Biosphere the non-living components. where all living things exist and interact (ecosystems).

Levels of Organization C O S Y T M Species - an organism that belongs to a group of organisms with similar characteristics that can mate and produce fertile offspring. Population - all the members of a species that are living in the same ecosystem or habitat. Community a collection of all the populations that live in the same ecosystem. all the organisms in the ecosystem.

Species example The Canada Goose.

Population example Canada Geese.

Community example Geese, ducks, swans (and no-doubt many microorganisms).

Ecosystem example Wetlands.

Examples Can you think of an example of a: Species Population Community Ecosystem e.g., student  science class  IRHS  Oakville

So, where do we fit in? Since we are part of the biosphere, we also interact with other species, populations, and communities, and we are part of various ecosystems in the biosphere. Do we all fit? Good question…and it’s a question of what makes a Sustainable Ecosystem. Thus…the title of this unit in the Ontario curriculum.

Sustainable Click on jpg image  takes you to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Then, click on “sustained” to discuss the concept of everything needing nourishment. You can also choose the link for “sustainable for English-language learners”.

Different Environmental Views Stewardship Ownership Frontier view

Stewardship View What is a steward? What do they do? Quote from Fisheries and Oceans Canada: “Environmental stewardship is an ethic that embodies cooperative planning and management of environmental resources with organizations, communities and others to actively engage in the prevention of loss of habitat and facilitate its recovery in the interest of long-term sustainability.” Guide students to the idea that it is our responsibility to actively protect the environment. How can we put this concept into our own words?

Ownership View What is ownership? Who owns the environment? Adapted from the Nelson Science 10 textbook: “Canadians do not own wild animals or plants just because they live in that environment. We have no right to move them around or to change an ecosystem whenever we feel like it, even if we believe it is for the better good. If an ecosystem has been damaged it is best if we leave it on its own; it will grow, move and evolve without input from human influence.” Guide students towards the idea that we don’t own nature, nature owns itself; “let nature take it’s course”. How can we put this concept into our own words?

Frontier View What is a frontier? Who is a frontier person? Adapted from the Nelson Science 10 textbook: “To feed ourselves and the hungry of the world, we must open up, clear and claim wilderness areas for ranching and other forms of agriculture. Anything that we need to do to an ecosystem to better our communities is justified.” Guide students towards the idea that we have the right to do what we need to do to the environment; that nature should provide for us. How can we put this concept into our own words?

What’s your view? Think about what you’ve learned today. Think about your daily interactions within your ecosystem. Consider your own experiences and opinions. Write a reflective paragraph: Identify the components of your own ecosystem; Identify what view you have; Back up your opinions. Be prepared to share your view next class. The reflective paragraph is meant for homework. Obviously, the three views are the extreme examples and that in reality there is overlap between them, or people shift from one view to the next depending on the situation. This is what should be discussed the next day.