Age/Sex Pyramids

Age/Sex Pyramids will be our next topic. Search "Age- Sex Pyramids" on google to familiarize yourself with these diagrams. Hypothesize as to how to collect this data and construct one of these pyramids.

Study Guide for Topic 2 Test

IB ES&S Exam Review
Topics 2.5-2.7

Function of the Ecosystem: Topic 2.5
Producers, Consumers, Decomposers Roles in the ecosystem.
Photosynthesis and Respiration
Transfers and Transformations of Energy in an Ecosystem
Material Cycles- CO2/O2, H2O and Nitrogen
Gross Productivity, Net Productivity, Primary and Secondary Productivity
How to Calculate Productivity

Changes in the Ecosystem: Topic 2.6
Limiting Factors
Carrying Capacity
S and J population curves
Density-dependent and Density Independent limiting factors
Internal and External Limiting Factors
K and r strategists and their characteristics
Succession
Energy Flow, Productivity, Diversity and Mineral Cycling at different stages of Succession
Factors that affect climax communities

Measuring changes in the system: Topic 2.7
Methods to measure abiotic and biotic components
Methods to measure changes from human activity
Use of EIA’s (Environmental Impact Assessment)

World Population Clock

Check out this website:

Watch the rate of population growth and post your ideas about the effects the increasing world population.

http://www.worldometers.info/

Quadrat Sampling

For the Oceanside Marina Field Trip we will need to have prior knowledge on making different types of quadrats and transects for biotic and abiotic sampling. Please click on the link and create a table to distinguish the difference between them.

www.hawaii.edu/gk-12/opihi/classroom/measuring.pdf

A word from the teacher:

The IB Environmental Systems and Societies course offers a great learning opportunity in a field of study that is fascinating and challenging. There is a tremendous amount of science material that must be covered in a relatively short period of time (less than one school year- your exam is the first week in May). This course will demand a great deal of time and energy. Students and parents should not be surprised by the course requirements that are in excess of what students expect from a typical high school Regents science course. Please remember, this is a college level course.

The greatest challenge for a student taking IB Environmental Systems and Societies is the need to do consistent work over the entire year. Many bright and highly motivated students sometimes let their efforts slip from time to time. They make up for this with a rush of hard work right before a test. This strategy will not work in this class, and will threaten even the brightest student’s opportunity to excel in IB Environmental Systems and Societies.

Success in this course will depend on a student’s motivation, consistent daily preparation, and organizational skills. These skills, at the present time, may not be at their peak, but the student’s willingness to develop, practice, and apply them throughout the year is essential for a successful learning experience in this course.

Students should keep up with the daily class lecture notes, homework readings, and labs. They should seek help immediately if in doubt of a concept or idea regarding the course. Extra help sessions are offered after school or during school by appointment. I am available for extra help whenever you need it (and you will need it!).