Ecosystems
The topic of ecosystems is a large topic area in GCSE Biology, which requires careful planning so that delivery can include a variety of practical activities. In this topic, students are expected to cover:
- levels of organisation
- principle of material cycling
- pyramids of biomass and transfer through tropic levels
- biodiversity
- biological challenges of increasing food yields using fewer resources
There are a number of misconceptions demonstrated by students within this topic area, and one that is often seen is the that there is a build up of biomass along a food chain. Presumably this is because students incorrectly assume that biomass refers to individuals rather than populations. Similarly trophic levels seem to cause confusion, so it is worth spending some time of this, using a range of different pyramids.
Students also struggle to distinguish between abiotic and biotic factors that affect ecosystems. Simple practical activities with light meters and pH probes can help to with students understanding of this topic area.
Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS, SSERC or recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to Health and Safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
Science in the Environment Pack 2: Living Systems *suitable for home teaching*
In this comprehensive resource there is a specific section of the pack on Ecosystems and energy (section 2A2.1.)
The pack was originally intended as self study/independent learning material. Students could read through the material, making notes, and answering the questions throughout the text and at the end of the text.
The numerical questions will challenge some students and teacher support will be required, so it may be useful to go through these questions as a whole class activity.
Practical Guide 7: Ecology
This is a lengthy and comprehensive guide to a range of possible practical activities related to ecology.
Although originally intended for 16-19 year old students , there are a number of suitable practical activities for GCSE Biology students
Discover Heathland
This is a comprehensive and detailed set of resources which look at lowland heathland - one of Britain's rarest and most threatened habitats. These resources help students to learn more about this habitat with activities, suggested field work and guides to heathland plants and animals. The activities and practical work ask students to consider the conflicts between economic incentives, society, and environmental conservation and the impact of humans on the ecosystem.
Conservation
This activity focuses on Salisbury Plain. This area is a military training area, yet it contains a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and is home to a wide range of species that have disappeared from other areas of the country.
Students have to find out why Marsh fritillary butterflies are a threatened and declining species throughout the UK, but there has been a population explosion on Salisbury Plain.
They are provided with information to help them answer this question. The activity sheet provides headings and a word bank to structure a response to this question. Students could work in small groups and be provided with the question, the information sheets, including the sheet on scrub clearance and video, also on scrub clearance
Spreading Aliens, Arctic Experience, and Antarctica *suitable for home teaching*
This podcast considers two aspects of human impact on the environment - firstly the unintentional spread of invasive species and the challenge monitoring of impact in hostile environments.
The podcast is relatively long, 20 minutes, and not very easy to break into sections, so the best option would be to download this onto a school/college network and ask students to listen to this as homework/independent study, making notes.
The information/ideas contained in the podcast could then be discussed and questions posed as a starter activity for the next lesson.
Red Squirrels and a Tropical Antarctica
In this podcast the effect of the introduction of grey squirrels of red squirrel populations in the UK is investigated. In the investigation there is commentary on how these two potentially competitive populations are being managed as effectively as possible.
Again, it is relatively long, about 16 minutes, so the best option would be to download this onto a school/college network and ask students to listen to this as homework/independent study, making notes about what they have heard.
Introduction to Lowland Heathlands
This resource package provides an interesting and engaging lesson on a specific habitat. Working in groups, each member of the group visits a particular station/activity around the room and then share this information with the rest of their group. Every student then sits an individual quiz about the particular habitat which will require them to make use of information from all the stations.
All the materials for setting up each station are provided, along with answers to all questions asked at the stations. There is also a PowerPoint to introduce this activity to students.
Energy Transfer *suitable for home teaching*
This article focuses on food chains, photosynthesis, the measurement of energy transfer and the loss of energy from plants to animals throughout the food chain. How this limits the number of animals that can survive on the energy fixed by a patch of vegetation is explained.
The questions embedded within the text of the article, such as estimate the area of territory a cat would need if it had to fend for itself, would make for a good starter activity.
There are many ways to make effective use of Catalyst articles such as this. A booklet has been produced which provides ideas on how Catalyst articles can be used with students and includes six exemplar activities.
Designing Investigations
This PowerPoint presentation is aimed at teachers but could easily be adapted for students. It gives a range of possible ideas for ecological investigations on heathland.
Students could be shown the possible investigation titles (slides four and five). Then working in pairs, they could be asked to come up with a protocol for carrying out a particular investigation. They would need to include a step by step procedure, an equipment list, risk assessment and any important notes/considerations.
Pairs could then swap protocols and be taken to an appropriate location to undertake a particular investigation. Students would be able to come up with results and conclusions, but would also be able to comment on the clarity/suitability/reliability/accuracy of the protocol they were provided with by their peers.
Carbon and the Carbon Cycle *suitable for home teaching*
The first activity in this resource considers changes in the carbon cycle and imbalances caused by human activity.
The second activity looks at how carbon cycles in the environment and how carbon, in oil, is obtained for fuel. This includes the process of fractional distillation and leads on to consideration of the impacts of distributing oil products.
Nuffield practical: Investigating decomposition of paper
This practical investigates how quickly different kinds of paper decompose under the action of soil microbes.
Soil microbes are unusual in the natural world in that they contain cellulases. These are enzymes able to digest cellulose, the fibrous substance which helps to provide plants with a rigid structure. Without these cellulase enzymes in soil microbes, plant material would not decay, and elements such as carbon contained in the material would not be recycled for use by other living things.
These microbes therefore that can decompose and thus recycle cellulose are extremely important in maintaining the turnover of organic matter in the carbon cycle.
This is a long term practical activity, which will require a half term to complete. Each review session only takes about 15 minutes, so can easily be incorporated into lessons