As an Undergraduate Biological Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to enable students to develop a comprehensive understanding about the structure and function of an ecosystem, with a focus on hydrological ecosystem, and biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. You can do this through a study of ponds and pond ecosystems and its comparison with freshwater and saline water ecosystems.
In this lesson plan, students will learn that increasing temperatures may alter the patterns of several ecological roles performed by ponds such as – water storage, habitats for plants and animals, water quality (filtration), groundwater recharge, and shifts in the cycling of nutrients (biogeochemical cycles). They will learn about the correlation between climate change and the reduction of biodiversity in pond ecosystems, through an activity that focuses on the dissolution of carbon dioxide and its impacts.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Biological Sciences.
Teacher-contributed lesson plan by Dr. Pamil Tayal (Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi), Dr. Tabassum Afshan (Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi), and Dr. Ranjana Singh (Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Government Model Degree College, Arniya, Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh)
Want to know more about how to contribute? Contact us.
Questions
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
What is an Ecosystem? Give physiognomic characteristics of different hydrological ecosystems.
Explain various factors affecting the productivity and sustainability of freshwater ecosystems?
What are the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on pond ecosystems?
Discuss some of the threats to freshwater ecosystems.
A video to introduce different types of ecosystems, their components, food chain, food web, ecological pyramids, and energy flow in the ecosystem. This can be accessed here.
Video/ Micro lecture (11 min)
A micro lecture to understand the freshwater ecosystem, zonation in a pond ecosystem, and adaptation in aquatic plants towards salinity. This can be accessed here.
Reading (20 min)
A reading to study the impact of climate change on the hydrological cycles, pond ecosystem, and its biodiversity. This can be accessed here.
Classroom/Laboratory Activity (5 min)
A classroom/laboratory activity to determine the relationship between acidity and pond ecosystem through the study of carbon dioxide dissolution. This can be accessed here.
Field Activity
(Nature Walk) (10-20 min)
A classroom/laboratory activity to explain the theoretical aspects taught in the classroom by the recreation of a pond ecosystem for the conservation of aquatic organisms.
Step-by-Step User Guide
Learning Outcomes
Questions/Assignments
Additional Resources
Credits
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
1
Introduce the topic by playing a video lecture
This introduction video titled “Ecosystem | What is an Ecosystem? | Different Types of Ecosystems” briefly defines ecosystems, its types and explains different biotic (living) and abiotic (non- living) components interaction. It further explains different types of ecosystems present on the earth. Use this lecture to help students to understand the dynamics of an ecosystem that includes statistics of its productivity, rate of decomposition and energy flow at various trophic levels in food chains/ food webs flourishing in the ecosystem. The lecture further describes how a change in temperature will often affect the type of plants found and impact its population dynamics.
Discuss the topic further by playing a video micro-lecture
This video lecture titled; “Freshwater Ecosystem” presented by Mexus Education explains freshwater ecosystems through a simple case study of a pond ecosystem. The lecture explains the different types of hydrophytic plants such as submerged, rooted–submerged, and free floating, that can be found in different zones of a pond ecosystem. It also describes the physiological and biochemical adaptations by the freshwater organisms with changing salinity. It also mentions how changes in pH of water can impact fish populations in freshwater ecosystems.
Demonstrate how it related to Climate Change through this Reading
A reading titled ‘Climate change and freshwater ecosystems: Impacts across multiple levels of organization’ by Guy Woodward, Daniel M. Perkins and Lee E. Brown (2010), The Royal Society Publishing, discusses the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystem services. This reading states how the different components of climate change affects complex trophic structures and may interact with other stress factors, such as salinity and dissolved carbon dioxide, to impact the functional behavior of the ecosystem. Through this reading, students will understand the impact of global warming on freshwater ecosystem biota, that potentially changes their behavior, thermoregulation and migration.
Laboratory Activity: To determine the free CO2 in the given water samples by titration method
A laboratory activity titled, “Free CO2 Estimation” that shows how aquatic plants depend on CO2 for various metabolic activities for growth and development. This activity exhibits how CO2 concentration above 1000-1300 ppm can induce stress in aquatic plants. As a result, acidic pH affects photosynthetic rate, transpiration efficiency and various physiological activities of aquatic plants. This laboratory activity will help students to carry out comparative analysis of different water samples. They will understand the differences in 1. the quality (smell of water sample, type of hydrophytes present); 2. Determine the pH; and 3. Presence of CO2 in water samples which will help them assess the biological oxygen demand (BOD).
To better understand the structure and functioning of the pond ecosystem, students can construct an artificial or man-made pond to help drain fields during rain, recycle nutrients, and reduce the amount of nitrates and phosphates. Students would be able to critically analyze the pond ecology, and how alterations due to human activities impacts the aquatic ecosystem. This can be used to come up with conservation strategies to maintain ecological balance and prevent acidification of the pond.
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
Learn the core concepts of ecosystem, biotic and abiotic interactions in ecological pyramids, more specifically in the context of hydrological ecosystems.
Understand the importance of pond ecosystems in maintaining ecological balance.
Critically analyze pond ecology, and the impact of human activities in altering the aquatic ecosystem. They will also learn effective measures for the recreation of a pond ecosystem.
Further discuss the role of pond ecosystems in food security
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation:
What is an Ecosystem? Give physiognomic characteristics of different hydrological ecosystems.
Explain various factors affecting the productivity and sustainability of freshwater ecosystems?
What are the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on pond ecosystems?
Discuss some of the threats to freshwater ecosystems.
If you or your students would like to explore the topic further, these additional resources will be useful.
1.
Reading (60 min)
This reading discusses extreme events, seasonal changes in ecosystems, trends over decadal-scale time periods, mitigation strategies and ecosystem recovery. It also states how hydrophysical, hydrochemical and ecological change are used as early indicators of climate change in aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, it addresses the implications of climate change for freshwater ecosystem management.
This reading provides insight into extreme climate change induced fluctuations that affect biological processes such as reproductive success, population dynamics, migration patterns and interactions between fish populations.
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