ES Module 4 : Population Ecology
Lesson 1 : Studying EcologyStandard(s): SC.912.L.17.6 Compare and contrast the relationships among organisms, including predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism.
Objective(s): (1) Describe the different levels of organization studied by ecologists; (2) Explain the difference between biotic and abiotic factors; (3) Discuss how an organism's habitat relates to its survival Essential Question: How do ecologists organize and study life? Vocabulary: ecology, species, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere, biotic factor, abiotic factor, habitat, resource Assignment(s): Cornell Notes 4-1; Studying Ecology IP (Student Directions) |
Lesson 2 : Describing PopulationsStandard(s): SC.912.L.17.1 Discuss the characteristics of populations, such as number of individuals, age structure, density, and pattern of distribution.
Objective(s): (1) Explain the usefulness of tracking population size; (2) define population density; (3) Describe the three ways populations can be distributed; (4) explain what age structure diagrams tell you about a population. Essential Question: What are the important characteristics of populations? Vocabulary: population, population size, population density, population distribution, age structure, age structure diagram, sex ratio Assignment(s): Cornell Notes 4-2; Describing Populations GP & IP |
Lesson 3 : Population GrowthStandard(s): SC.912.L.17.5 Analyze how population size is determined by births, deaths, immigration, emigration, and limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) that determine carrying capacity.
Objective(s): (1) Describe the factors that influences a population's growth rate; (2) Explain exponential growth and logistics growth; (3) Explain how limiting factors and biotic potential affect population growth. Essential Question: What factors determine whether, and how, a population's size changes? Vocabulary: survivorship curve, immigration, emigration, migration, exponential growth, limiting factor, carrying capacity, logistic growth, density-dependent factor, density-independent factor, biotic potential Assignment(s): Cornell Notes 4-3; Population Growth IP |
Lesson 4 : Population DynamicsStandard(s): SC.912.L.17.1 Discuss the characteristics of populations, such as number of individuals, age structure, density, and pattern of distribution., SC.912.L.17.5 Analyze how population size is determined by births, deaths, immigration, emigration, and limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) that determine carrying capacity., SC.912.L.17.6 Compare and contrast the relationships among organisms, including predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism., SC.912.N.1.1 Define a problem based on a specific body of knowledge
Objective(s): (1) Identify the essential components of a habitat and its impact on a population; (2) Explain how limiting factors affect population growth Essential Question: What is a suitable habitat for animal populations and what factors affect these wildlife populations in changing ecosystems? Vocabulary: population, population size, habitat, resource, limiting factor, carrying capacity Assignment(s): Population Dynamics Lesson; Wolf Quest |
Lesson 5 : Population Biology (Optional)Standard: SC.912.L.17.6 Compare and contrast the relationships among organisms, including predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism.
Objectives: (1) Identify limiting factors that affect population growth and explain their impact, (2) Predict the likely outcome of a scenario and test the hypothesis, (3) Design a chart and graph of the scientific data collected. Essential Question: What factors determine whether, and how, a population size changes? Vocabulary: population, predation, limiting factor, carry capacity Assignment: "Population Biology Virtual Lab" - Complete the virtual lab. Input your data into a table and design a graph for the data (Microsoft Excel). Complete the 7 Journal Questions. Link: Population Biology Virtual Lab |