Guidance: Mesocosms can be set up in open tanks, but sealed glass vessels are preferable because entry and • exit of matter can be prevented but light can enter and heat can leave. Aquatic systems are likely to be more successful than terrestrial ones. To obtain data for the chi-squared test, an ecosystem should be chosen in which one or more • factors affecting the distribution of the chosen species varies. Sampling should be based on random numbers. In each quadrat the presence or absences of the • chosen species should be recorded. International-Mindedness: The need for sustainability in human activities could be discussed and the methods needed to • promote this. AIMS: Aim 6: It would be best for students to obtain data for the chi-squared test themselves, to give • first-hand experience of field work techniques. Energy Flow—Chapters 54 and 55 Ecosystems require a continuous supply of energy to fuel life processes and to replace Essential Idea: energy lost as heat. Nature of Science: Use theories to explain natural phenomena—the concept of energy flow explains the limited • length of food chains. Understandings: Most ecosystems rely on a supply of energy from sunlight. Chapter 10; 1224-1228 Light energy is converted to chemical energy in carbon compounds by photosynthesis. Chapter 10 Chemical energy in carbon compounds flows through food chains by means of feeding. Energy released from carbon compounds by respiration is used in living organisms and converted to heat. 1223-1224; Online Living organisms cannot convert heat to other forms of energy. 1223-1224; Online Heat is lost from ecosystems. 1223-1224 Energy losses between trophic levels restrict the length of food chains and the biomass of higher trophic levels. 1205-1210; 1228-1230; Online Application and Skills: Quantitative representations of energy flow using pyramids of energy. 1228-1230 Skill: • Guidance: Pyramids of number and biomass are not required. Students should be clear that biomass in • terrestrial ecosystems diminishes with energy along food chains due to loss of carbon dioxide, water and other waste products, such as urea. 1228-1230 Pyramids of energy should be drawn to scale and should be stepped, not triangular. The terms • producer, first consumer and second consumer and so on should be used, rather than first trophic level, second trophic level and so on. 1228-1230
Guidance: • Mesocosms can be set up in open tanks, but sealed glass vessels are preferable because entry and exit of matter can be prevented but light can enter and heat can leave. Aquatic systems are likely to be more successful than terrestrial ones. • To obtain data for the chi-squared test, an ecosystem should be chosen in which one or more factors affecting the distribution of the chosen species varies. • Sampling should be based on random numbers. In each quadrat the presence or absences of the chosen species should be recorded. International-Mindedness: • The need for sustainability in human activities could be discussed and the methods needed to promote this. AIMS: • Aim 6: It would be best for students to obtain data for the chi-squared test themselves, to give first-hand experience of field work techniques. Energy Flow—Chapters 54 and 55 Essential Idea: Ecosystems require a continuous supply of energy to fuel life processes and to replace energy lost as heat. Nature of Science: • Use theories to explain natural phenomena—the concept of energy flow explains the limited length of food chains. Understandings: Most ecosystems rely on a supply of energy from sunlight. Chapter 10; 1224-1228 Light energy is converted to chemical energy in carbon compounds by photosynthesis. Chapter 10 Chemical energy in carbon compounds flows through food chains by means of feeding. Energy released from carbon compounds by respiration is used in living organisms and converted to heat. 1223-1224; Online Living organisms cannot convert heat to other forms of energy. 1223-1224; Online Heat is lost from ecosystems. 1223-1224 Energy losses between trophic levels restrict the length of food chains and the biomass of higher trophic levels. 1205-1210; 1228-1230; Online Application and Skills: • Skill: Quantitative representations of energy flow using pyramids of energy. 1228-1230 Guidance: • Pyramids of number and biomass are not required. Students should be clear that biomass in terrestrial ecosystems diminishes with energy along food chains due to loss of carbon dioxide, water and other waste products, such as urea. 1228-1230 • Pyramids of energy should be drawn to scale and should be stepped, not triangular. The terms producer, first consumer and second consumer and so on should be used, rather than first trophic level, second trophic level and so on. 1228-1230
BiologySyllabusFirstAssessment2016Ecology.docx