8th Grade Science Guide

8.3: Ecology 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 3

Activity: Human & Natural Change to Ecosystems

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ I can make connections between ecosystem changes and the stability of cycling matter between living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. ●​ I can describe evaluate how changes in an ecosystem affect the flow of energy through the carbon cycle.

●​ Have students brainstorm different things that can impact ecosystems. Start by giving an example of a developer coming in and making a roadway through a swamp and how that might impact an ecosystem and talk through together as a class what impact that might have. Now ask them to make lists of things that can occur to change ecosystems. ●​ Assign students both articles to read. While they are reading, they should be thinking of these questions: What What specific part of the environment are these activities affecting? ●​ Have a discussion with activities are causing harm to the environments?

●​ Artificial light is playing havoc over Earth and disrupting normal cycles (human change) ●​ The role of wildfires in an ecosystem” (natural change)

students that both humans and natural events can change ecosystems and have lasting impacts.

Formative Assessment: 8.3.3 SEEd Formative Assessment

8.3.3 Phenomena Assessment: Cougar Gardeners

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ I can identify the living and nonliving parts of an

●​ Have students re-read the article about Cougars as Gardeners and complete

●​ Article