Ecological Biogeography

Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's Ecological Biogeography Course

As a continuation of the topics of speciation and biodiversity from semester 1 of the biogeography, semester 2 examines the patterns of adaptations and variations that occur across different ecosystems and at different latitudes. The emphasis of the course will be on the animal and plant adaptations and specializations that species have made to survive in different environments. Students will incorporate topics from biology, botany, and zoology under a geographic framework to better understand the connections that plants and animals have with the environment they live in. Using project-based methods of observation, data collection, and geospatial modeling, students will incorporate in scientific studies to better understand spatial distributions of the planets plants and animals.

Unit III - Human Ecology Geoinquiry

Unit III Schedule

Week 15:
(Apr 22-26th)
Module 3.1:
Central Question:
Forum 3.1:
+ TED: Jane Goodall - How humans and animals can live together
Forum 3.2:
Central Question:
Forum 3.2:

Week 16:
(Apr 29- May 3rd)
Forum 3.3:
Central Question:
Forum 3.3:
Forum 3.4:
Central Question:
Forum 3.4:

Week 17:
(May 6-10th)
Senior Ceremony mar 8th - Last Day for Seniors
Forum 3.5:
Central Question:
Forum 3.5:
Forum 3.6:
Central Question:
Forum 3.6:

Week 18: Environmental Impact Statement
(May 13-17th)
Forum 3.7:
Central Question:
Forum 3.7:
Forum 3.8:
Central Question:
Forum 3.8:

Week 19: Environmental Impact Statement
(May 20-24th)
Forum 3.9:
Central Question:
Forum 3.9:
Forum 3.10:
Central Question:
Forum 3.10:

Unit III Notes

Unit III Assignments

Unit III Resources

Unit II - The World's Physical Regions

Unit II Schedule

Week 6: Exploring Physical Regions
(Feb 11-15th)
Module 2.1: Biome Refresher
Central Question: What is a biome and what distinguishes one from another?
Forum 2.1: Biotic or Abiotic?
Field Lab: Capturing the Essence (K.O.N)
Map Lab: BiomeViewer (Assignment)
+ HHMI: BiomeViewer
HW: A Conceptual Model for the Study of Biomes
+ 1 Page Reflection
+ Develop three discussion questions
Module 2.2: Scientific Basis of Biomes
Central Question: How can scientific data be used to track, measure, and classify biomes?
Forum 2.2: Measuring Biomes
Class Discussion: Conceptual Model for Biomes
+ A Conceptual Model for the Study of Biomes
Map Lab: Investigating Biodiversity (Assignment)
+ Investigating Biodiversity Webmap
+ TED-Ed: Why is Biodiversity so Important?

Week 7: Arid and Semi-Arid Regions
(Feb 18-22nd)
No School Monday Feb 18th - Staff Development
Module 2.3:
Central Question:
Forum 2.3:
Module 2.4:
Central Question:
Forum 2.4:
Field Lab: Surviving in a dry Land (Desert Dome)

Week 8: Tropical Rainforests
(Feb 25-Mar 1st)
Module 2.5:
Central Question:
Forum 2.5:
Field Lab: (Jungle)
Module 2.5:
Central Question:
Forum 2.5:
Field Lab: (Gorillas)
- Jump: Gorillas in the Congo (VR)

Week 9: Coastal Regions
(Mar 4-8th)
Module 2.6:
Central Question:
Forum 2.6:
Module 2.6:
Central Question:
Forum 2.6:
Field Lab: (Aquarium)

Week 10: Polar Regions
(Mar 18-22nd)
Module 2.7:
Central Question:
Forum 2.7:
Field Lab: (Aquarium)
Module 2.8:
Central Question:
Forum 2.8:

Week 11: Alpine Regions
(Mar 25-29th)
Module 2.9:
Central Question:
Forum 2.9:
Field Lab: Avoiding the Perfect Hunter (A.H.)
Module 2.10:
Central Question:
Forum 2.10:
Field Lab: (K.O.T.N)
- National Geographic: Glow Worm Cave (VR)

Week 12: Temperate and Boreal Forests
(Apr 1-5th)
No School Tuesday Apr 2nd - Junior ACTs
Module 2.11:
Central Question:
Forum 2.11:
Field Lab: (A.H.)
Module 2.12:
Central Question:
Forum 2.12:

Week 13: Grasslands
(Apr 8-12th)
Module 2.13:
Central Question:
Forum 2.13:

Module 2.14:
Central Question:
Forum 2.14:
Field Lab: (African Grasslands)

Week 14:
(Apr 15-19th)
Module 2.15:
Central Question:
Forum 2.15:

Unit II Notes

Unit II Assignments

A Conceptual Model for the Study of Biomes
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Unit II Resources

Jump: Gorillas in the Congo

National Geographic: Glow Worm Cave (VR)

Unit I - Concepts of Ecological Biogeography

Unit I Schedule

Week 1: Geographic Skills
(Jan 7-11th)
No School Monday Jan 7th - Staff Development
Module 1.1: A Familiar World
Central Question: What is location and how is it connected to place?
Forum 1.1: A Point on the Map
- Where in the World (Activity)
- Course Introduction
Map Lab: Coordinating Yourself (Assignment)
+ Coordinating Yourself App
Module 1.2: Reasons for the Seasons
Central Question: How is the world subdivided and how were those markers decided?
Forum 1.2: Why is all this necessary?
Map Lab: Global Divisions (Assignment)
+ World Atlas - Reference Lines
+ Sample Map
- Regions and Seasons (Notes)
HW: Reference Points Map Quiz

Week 4: Global Warming
(Jan 28-Feb 1st)
Module 1.7: Anthropogenic Forces
Central Question: Why is an understanding of human forces necessary in ecology?
Forum 1.7: Act Now or Forever Hold Your Peace
Class Discussion: Global Warming Extinction

Week 2: Biomes
(Jan 14-18th)
Module 1.3: Reading a Landscape
Central Question: How can you learn about a place through the processes of observation?
Forum 1.3: Distinguishing Characteristics
- World Reference Points Map Quiz
Field Lab: Uniqueness of Place (Aquarium)
- The Five Themes of Geography (Notes)
HW: Ecology: The Biome Approach
+ 1 Page Reflection
+ Develop three discussion questions
Module 1.4: An Ecological Approach to Biomes
Central Question: What factors lead to the change in biomes and what impact does that have on plant and animal distributions?
Forum 1.4: Where did it go?
Map Lab: Altered Biomes (Assignment)
+ Altered Biomes Webmap
Class Discussion: Ecology The Biome Approach
- Atlas for a Changing World (Notes)
+ Slides 1-15

Week 3: Importance of Biodiversity
(Jan 21-25th)
No School Monday Jan 21st - MLK Day
Module 1.5: Protecting Life, Big and Small
Central Question: What are symptoms of ecological imbalances and how are humans involved?
Forum 1.5: Ecological Considerations
- Atlas for a Changing World (Notes)
+ Slides 16-26
HW: Global Warming Extinction
+ 1 page reflection
+ Develop three discussion questions
Module 1.6: Rules of Ecogeography
Central Question: What is the relationship between species and physical location?
Forum 1.6: Advantageous Adaptations
- Rules of Ecogeography (Notes)
Field Lab: Find an Exception (Student Choice)

Week 5:
(Feb 4-8th)
No School Thurs/Fri Feb 7-8th - Conferences
Module 1.8:End of Unit I
Central Question: How does the understanding of ecology work into biogeography?
Forum 1.9: Pre-Test Questions (Unit I)
- Unit I Test - Concepts of Ecological Biogeography (Link will open on test day)