The Vital Role of Ecosystems: Energy Transfers and Biodiversity Conservation in AICE Environmental Management
Ecosystems are the lifeblood of our planet, essential for the survival and well-being of people worldwide. As educators teaching the AICE Environmental Management course, it is our responsibility to help students understand the intricate web of energy transfers that sustain the biodiversity within these ecosystems. This section of the syllabus focuses on the fundamental processes that drive ecosystem functionality and the critical importance of managing these ecosystems to conserve biodiversity.
This blog post aims to provide teachers with insights and strategies to effectively convey these concepts, ultimately enhancing student comprehension and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. By mastering these topics, students will be better prepared to contribute to sustainable environmental management and biodiversity conservation.
This unit covers the following topics
- 4.1 Ecosystems
- 4.2 Managing the conservation of biodiversity
- 4.3 Impacts of human activity on ecosystems
Resources
- PowerPoint/ Lecture/Notes
- Guided Notes
- Bell Ringer
- Review 4.1 Ecosystems – Biomes, Ecological Successions, Ecosystem Productivity, Ecological pyramids
- Review/Practice Questions – sections 4.2 and 4.3
- Case Studies and Practice Essay Topics
- Quiz 4.1
- Task Cards
- Study Guide/Outline
- TEST
- BUNDLE Unit 4
- Make-Your-Own BUNDLE
Time frame
- Block schedule [90 min class period] – 3 weeks/ 7 class periods
- Regular schedule [45 -50 min class period] – 3 weeks/ 13 -14 class periods
Daily Agenda
The agenda provided is structured for block schedules with 90-minute classes. For teachers working with 40–45-minute periods, I recommend dividing each lesson into two parts:
- Day 1: Deliver the lecture content.
- Day 2: Use the bell ringer and complete the activities.
This approach ensures full coverage of the material while maintaining the intended balance between direct instruction and active learning.
Note: All pacing suggestions are estimates. Adjust the time to accommodate for specific student needs and interests.
Day 1 Lesson
- 4.1 Ecosystems
Objectives
- describe the world’s major terrestrial biomes in terms of their climate, soil type and vegetation
Instructional Materials
Day 2 Lesson
- 4.1 Ecosystems
Objectives
- outline the characteristics of primary and secondary succession from pioneer species through intermediate stages to a climax community
- define the terms gross primary productivity and net primary productivity
- define ecosystem productivity
- discuss the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels
- interpret and draw ecological pyramids based on numbers, biomass and energy
- explain the shapes of ecological pyramids
Instructional Materials
- Bell ringer#2
- Lecture (Chapter 4 PPT – slides 10 -18)
- Guided Notes
- Activity 4.3 Interpreting ecological pyramids – page 152 (Coursebook)
- 4.1 Questions 1-5 page 153 (Coursebook)
Day 3 Lesson
- Review 4.1 Ecosystems
Objectives
- Review 4,1 Ecosystems
Day 4 Lesson
- 4.2 Managing the conservation of biodiversity
Objectives
- define the terms native species and invasive species
- explain the impacts of invasive species on
biodiversity - describe and explain the benefits of conserving biodiversity
- describe and evaluate legislation and protocols as methods of conserving biodiversity
Instructional Materials
- Bell ringer#4
- Quiz 4.1
- Lecture (Chapter 4 PPT – slides 19 -29)
- Guided Notes
- Activity 4.4 – Case study research – page 155 (Coursebook)
- Activity 4.5 Graphing biodiversity threats – page 159 (Coursebook)
Day 5 Lesson
- 4.3 Impacts of human activity on ecosystems
Objectives
- describe and explain the impacts of human
activity on tropical rainforests - describe and evaluate strategies for managing the impacts of human activity on tropical rainforests
- describe and explain the impacts of human
activity on Antarctica - describe and evaluate strategies for managing the impacts of human activity on Antarctica
Instructional Materials
Day 6 Lesson
- Review
Objectives
- Review topics covered in Unit 4
Day 7 Lesson
- Test Unit 4
- Intro to Unit 5
Objectives
- Assess student’s content mastery
- Introduction to Unit#5 –students copy vocabulary words from the coursebook
Instructional Materials
- Bell ringer#7
- TEST
- Extended Case Study: Rewilding Yellowstone National Park – page 179-182 (Coursebook)
Exposing students to proper blend of lecture, practice activities and questions is of paramount importance for their success on the Cambridge exam.
I would love to hear from you!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! Are there any topics you’d like to learn more about or see discussed here? I’d love to hear your suggestions. Please let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates!
Your message has been sent
