This unit was about ecology and the harmful effects humans can have on the environment. Ecology is the study of interactions between different organisms and the environment. The first thing we learnt about was the different trophic levels and their interactions. The main source of energy, as we learnt in Unit 3, are plants. Plants are autotrophs/producers and they create their own energy. They are then consumed by heterotrophs. Food webs and food chains are used to show the main transfers of energy.
Only 10% of energy is transferred from one level to the next, and this is shown in energy pyramids. This is mostly interactions within populations. Populations can be controlled by several different factors. Emigration/ Immigration and deaths/births are the main factors that control population growth, but limitations of resources is also a major factor. Right now, humans are exponentially growing, but we will soon reach our carrying capacity. Our Earth has limited resources and they are all recycled in Nutrient cycles. Ex: in the water cycle, water evaporates into the sky and clouds can be carried to other places where it rains, and that area receives water. Nitrogen in particular is crucial to life on earth because it forms DNA and RNA.
Click here for a longer explanation on the importance of DNA and RNA: http://revavaidyabiology.blogspot.com/2015/12/unit-5-reflection.html
However, our earth is not as healthy as we would like it to be. We are in the middle of a sixth mass extinction and climate change is completely misaligning entire ecosystems. One thing we can all do is to think globally, and act locally. The first step to change is awareness, and many individuals all add up to a big change.
This unit was quite easy, but we went so indepth on each area that I felt like I forgot a little bit of the previous vodcasts.
I still have quite a few unanswered questions. Is it too late to change the earth? How will species adapt in response to all of these threats? Can one person REALLY make a difference? How do we know anything about species that went extinct before technological advances?
Click here for a longer explanation on the importance of DNA and RNA: http://revavaidyabiology.blogspot.com/2015/12/unit-5-reflection.html
However, our earth is not as healthy as we would like it to be. We are in the middle of a sixth mass extinction and climate change is completely misaligning entire ecosystems. One thing we can all do is to think globally, and act locally. The first step to change is awareness, and many individuals all add up to a big change.
This unit was quite easy, but we went so indepth on each area that I felt like I forgot a little bit of the previous vodcasts.
I still have quite a few unanswered questions. Is it too late to change the earth? How will species adapt in response to all of these threats? Can one person REALLY make a difference? How do we know anything about species that went extinct before technological advances?
The Biologist conservation project was a mix. We all worked well as a team, which is not surprising because on the preferred method of conflict management assessment we all scored high on "assertive". However, we rushed filming a bit too much because we were all so caught up in research. Researching was interesting, and we learnt things that we would not have otherwise. The desert is much more complex and in much more trouble then we originally thought. This felt very slow because last unit was all about labs and being active.
Click here to watch our conservation biologist project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv7fgVoFFNg
Reflecting back on the new years goals in the last unit reflection (click here http://revavaidyabiology.blogspot.com/2016/01/new-years-goals.html) , I am keeping up better with my goals. I am maintaining the grades I am satisfied with, and I am using my time more efficently. The only goal I'm am falling short of is effective studying.
