1. Good afternoon! Please get a computer, log on, and take out this assignment…..

2. 7,8,9 4,5

3. 1. What is sustainable development and why is it important to learn about? A way of using natural resources that leaves enough for future generations. Without it, we will trash the Earth for ourselves and our children, grandchildren, etc.

4. 2. What are landfills and why are they a problem? Big holes in the ground where we bury garbage. When full, we need to dig more and nobody wants to live near a landfill. Poisonous chemicals get into our water system. They give off methane gas, contributing to global climate change.

5. Where does our garbage go…..? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYhQQziYA3s

6. Recycle paper, plastic, glass, etc. Re-use things instead of throwing out. Put food waste into compost/yard waste instead of garbage. Make less waste. Stop throwing out plastic water bottles.

7. 4. What is composting and why is it a good part of sustainable development? A way of using natural processes to break down organic materials like food waste into material that is good for plants Means less food waste going into landfills. Makes good nutrients for plants to grow.

8. 5. Observe the composting worms provided by your teacher, making note of how they move and what they seem to be doing. What niche (“job”) do worms fill in forest ecosystems? Decomposers. Break down dead plant material, poop provides nutrients for plants to grow.

9. Forest Niches Produce food, oxygen for animals Produce CO 2 for plants, control populations Eat dead things, provide nutrients for soil

10. The Nitrogen Cycle N 2 in Atmosphere Nitrogen fixation (bacteria) Uptake by producers Decomposition Denitrification (bacteria) Reuse by consumers (eating) 78% Excretion (poop)

11. Niche = a particular “job” done by an animal or plant in an ecosystem. Describe how filling a unique niche in the meadow ecosystem allows bees to survive and reproduce. Bees are pollinators: they pick up pollen from one flower and take it to another. This helps the flowers reproduce and gives bees food to survive.

12. Today’s task: Worms in Action B, Question 4

13. When finished, log off, return computer and study these for tomorrow’s task: Mutations & Evolution Q1 Evolution & Natural Selection Q6,7,8, and 9