Senior Library Books
Resource Key
LEVEL 1
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Key Terms
- abiotic adjective - of or characterized by the absence of life or living organisms.
- anoxic Lacking oxygen.
- bioaccumulation the accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism. Bioaccumulation takes place within an organism when the rate of intake of a substance is greater than the rate of excretion or metabolic transformation of that substance.
- biomagnification Biomagnification increases the concentration of toxic substances in organisms at higher trophic levels.
- biomass the total mass of all living things within a specific area, habitat, etc.
- biotic adjective - pertaining to life.
- commensalism a type of relationship between two species of a plant, animal, fungus, etc., in which one lives with, on, or in another without damage to either.
- eutrophication process whereby excess levels of nitrogen or phosphorus cause excessive growth of microorganisms, depleting dissolved oxygen levels and kill ecosystem fauna.
- habitat fragmentation habitat fragmentation is the process by which habitat loss results in the division of large, continuous habitats into smaller, more isolated remnants.
- mutualism a relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association.
- parasitism a relation between organisms in which one lives as a parasite on another.
- symbiosis the living together of two dissimilar organisms, as in mutualism, commensalism, amensalism, or parasitism.
Linked Databases
- Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre Plus This link opens in a new window This resource provides the largest collection of full text from leading regional and international newspapers and periodicals, full-text reference books, tens of thousands of full-text biographies, and a collection of images containing more than one million photos, maps, and flags.
- Britannica Schools This link opens in a new window Britannica School covers the core subject areas of English, Maths, Science and History. Interactive lessons, activities, games, stories, worksheets, manipulatives, study guides and research tools.
Introduction
Welcome to the research guide for Human Impact on Local Ecosystems. This guide has been created to assist Year 10 students researching the biotic and abiotic health of Lake Claremont and the possible impact human activity may have on its delicate ecosystem. Students are to discuss the potential impacts of one particular global issue on Lake Claremont from the list below:
- Habitat Destruction
- Air Pollution
- Water Pollution
- Land Pollution
- Introduced Species
Overview
- National Geographic. (2016). The Greenhouse effect. Retrieved from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview-interactive.html
Here's what you need to know about the warming planet, how it's affecting us, and what's at stake. - Ecosystem. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://school.eb.com.au.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/levels/high/article/31944
An ecosystem can be categorized into its abiotic constituents, including minerals, climate, soil, water, sunlight, and all other nonliving elements, and its biotic constituents, consisting of all its living members. Linking these constituents together are two major forces: the flow of energy through the ecosystem, and the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem.
Human Impact
- Dornan, s. (2016, May 26). Loss of biodiversity. Retrieved from https://www.boundless.com/users/346769/textbooks/mr-dornan-s-biology-textbook/conservation-biology-and-biodiversity-47/the-biodiversity-crisis-259/loss-of-biodiversity-962-12221/Human activity is the driving force behind the current biodiversity crisis, which is causing great species loss in a short time period.
- Dornan, s. (2016, May 26). Preserving biodiversity. Retrieved from https://www.boundless.com/users/346769/textbooks/mr-dornan-s-biology-textbook/conservation-biology-and-biodiversity-47/preserving-biodiversity-262/Human responses to climate change and species loss include national and international legal measures, as well as the creation of reserves.
Department of Environment
Search tip!
To find Department of Environment and Energy documents search:
site:environment.gov.au
Then the subject
ecosystem
and the key words
pollution
- Department of Environment and Energy. (2016). Threatened ecological communities. Retrieved from https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communitiesAn ecological community is a naturally occurring group of native plants, animals and other organisms that are interacting in a unique habitat. Its structure, composition and distribution are determined by environmental factors such as soil type, position in the landscape, altitude, climate and water availability.
- Department of Environment and Energy. (2009). Ecosystem services: key concepts and applications. Retrieved from https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files /resources/b53e6002-4ea7-4108-acc8-40fff488bab7/ files/ecosystem-services.pdfEcosystem Services: Key Concepts and Applications has been developed to broaden public understanding and to stimulate wider debate on how we might better tackle the many environmental challenges and opportunities facing Australia.
Abiotic Factors
TWIG. (n.d.). Abiotic factors in ecosystems [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www-twig-world-com.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/film/abiotic-factors-in-ecosystems-1233/
Symbiosis: Mutualism
TWIG. (n.d.). Symbiosis mutualilsm [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www-twig-world-com.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/film/symbiosis-mutualism-1227/
Symbiosis: Parasitism
TWIG. (n.d.). Symbiosis: Parasitism [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www-twig-world-com.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/film/symbiosis-parasitism-1228/
Deconstruction of Habitats
Barrington, R. (Producer).(2000). Why is there a crisis? [Television Series]. BBC
NB: Video requires Google Chrome or Safari to view.
Ecosystem Ecology
Anderson, P. (2015, September 14). 007 Ecosystem ecology [Video File]. Bozeman Science
Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Anderson, P. (2015, September 17). 008 Energy flow in ecosystems [Video File]. Bozeman Science
Global Climate Change
Anderson, P. (2016, February 1). 034 Global climate change [Video File]. Bozeman Science
Loss of Biodiversity
Anderson, P. (2016, February 8). 035 Loss of biodiversity [Video File]. Bozeman Science
Using iMovie
Dornan, S. (2016, May 9). Alternative forms of assessment. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzfM4RcUM20&list=PL61mmSm2DLSTad4SdQIht8DK_0sxsV7fu&index=5
Here is a brief overview of some of the videos my students have made as an alternative to the traditional essay writing.