Take the first step toward understanding how animals, plants and the non living environment interact together and have an inter-dependence that is important to all of these components of the environments we live in (both natural and man made). This course provides an important foundation for one very important area of environmental study. This course is a very valuable one to take; whether you plan to (or already) work in environmental management, agriculture, horticulture, research, education or any other relevant industry.
Lesson Structure
There are 7 lessons in this course:
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Ecosystems & Populations
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Components of an ecosystem, Biomes, Detrital & grazing webs, trophic levels, energy flows etc
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The Development Of Life
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Lifespans, Natural selection, Genetics, Understanding arguments for and against theory of evolution, etc
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Animals, Parasites & Endangered Species
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Comparative anatomy, how animals fit in ecosystems, animals in the human community, parasites, etc
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Fungi, Tundra, Rainforests & Marshlands
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Physiology, anatomy, classification and ecology of fungi; Location, the climate, the plant and animal life
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related to different systems including tundra, marshes and rainforests.
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Mountains, Rivers & Deserts
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Formation ecology and importance of mountains (including erosion, volcanoes etc), formation & types of rivers, catchments, dams, deserts and their ecology, etc.
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Shallow Waters
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Shore lines, coral reefs, intermediate reefs, estuaries, sandy shores, etc.
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Ecological Problems
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The Greenhouse Effect, The Ozone Layer, Poisons & Waste Materials
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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To identify the components of an ecosystem and how they interact.
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Discuss the basis of the Theory of Evolution and those elements of science which influenced the theory.
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To discuss the existence of animals in the ecosystem.
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To discuss the presence of plant life in a range of ecological situations
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To discuss the ecological features of mountains, rivers and deserts.
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To discuss the ecological features of shallow water regions and coral seas.
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To discuss the ecological implications of human activities on the environment.
What You Will Do
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Observe an ecosystem in your local area.Identify the inhabitants of the ecosystem and their location in the food web of that system.
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Compare the similarities and differences between the detrital web and the grazing web
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Discuss what scientific discoveries the Theory of Evolution, both past and present, is based on.
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List and explain the four arguments of evolution.
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Define Natural Selection.
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Discuss how genetics are related to evolution.
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Go to an ecological environment (as natural and un-human interfered as possible) and observe the plants and relationships that exist.
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Visit a local stream or river. Observe the condition of the stream, particularly the presence of indigenous vegetation and its affect on stream bank condition. Also look for evidence of human activity on the condition of the stream or river
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Discuss, in your own words, the theories which have been advanced in the past regarding the formation of coral reefs.
