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Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's Ecological Biogeography Course

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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.   
Ecological Biogeography Syllabus (Updated Spring 2022)

Unit I - Conceptual Ecological Biogeography

Unit I Schedule

Week 1: Our Piece of the Planet
     (Jan 3-7th)
No School Jan 3-4th - Staff Development
Module 1.1: Reason for the Seasons
     Guiding Inquiry: How does a place's location on         the planet affect the climate conditions it will               experience throughout the year?
​     Forum: Identifying Location (1.1)
     Map Lab: Seasonal Insolation (Assignment)
          + NASA Earth Observations
     - Solar Insolation (Notes)
     HW: Check for Understanding Next Class
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Week 4: Connecting to the Land
     (Jan 24-28th)
Module 1.6: Spatial Connections
     Guiding Inquiry: To what degree to animals                 have Spatial Connections to the landscapes in         which they live?
     Forum: Reflections of Landscape (1.6)
     - Rules of Ecobiogeography (Notes)
     Map Lab: Testing Bergmann and Allen​                                        (Assignment)
          + IUCN Redlist
          + ArcGIS
          + Submission Form
Module 1.7: Adapted for its Surroundings
     Guiding Inquiry: How can Spatial Connections         between geographically separated areas be               generalized based on the patterns and trends of         species distributions? 
     Forum: Recapping Bergmann and Allen (1.7) 
​     Field Lab: Mammals, and Birds oh My! (Dome)    
​     Map Lab: To Each their Own (Assignment)
​          + HHMI: BiomeViewer
          + Submission Form
     Discussion: To Each Their Own​
Week 2: Biomes as Regions 
     (Jan 10-14th)
Module 1.2: Biomes and Ecoregions
     Guiding Inquiry: How can the geographic theme         of "regions" be used to better understand the             categorization of ecological areas? 
     Forum: It is what you think it is? (1.2)
     Map Lab: Geographic Zones (Assignment)
          + World Atlas: Geographical Zones
          + Submission Form
     HW: Geographic Zones Reflection (On                               submission form)
Module 1.3: Classifying Climate
     Guiding Inquiry: What is the significance of                 temperature, precipitation, and altitude in helping       to determine the climate characteristics of                   a region?
     Forum: Explaining Nebraska (1.3) 
     - Koppen Climate Classification System (Notes)
     - Deconstructing Climographs (Assignment)
          + Submission Form
          + Carlton: Normal Climate Patterns
     HW: Complete Reflection Questions
​​     HW: Check for Understanding Next Class​
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Week 3: Reading Place
     (Jan 17-21st)
No School Monday Jan 17th - MLK Day
Module 1.4:​ Capturing Place
     Guiding Inquiry: What can you learn about a               Place from "reading the landscape" to analyze           it's human and physical characteristics? 
     Forum: Identifying Nebraska's Place  (1.4)
     Field Lab: Placing a Biome (Student Choice)
     Discussion: Understanding Place Characteristics
Module 1.5: Mapping Place
     Central Question: How can geospatial                         technologies be used to identify and map Place         characteristics to help spatialize the landscape?
     Forum: Mapping Relationships (1.5)
​     - Where in the World? (Notes)
     Map Lab: ​Scaling Place (Assignment)
          + Submission Form
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Week 5: Bringing it Together
     (Jan 31st-Feb 4th)
Module 1.8:The Human Factor
     Guiding Inquiry: How have humans impacted the       environment and been affected by it?
     Forum: A Spatial Impact (1.8) 
     Map Lab: The Human Reach (Notes)​
     HW: Unit I Test next class
          - Unit I Study Guide
Module 1.9:​​End of Unit I
     Guiding Inquiry: What is the relationship                     between biological species and their physical             location? 
     Forum: Q/C/C/C/CoR (1.9) 
     - Unit I Celebration of Knowledge -                             Conceptual Ecological Biogeography​
CFU 1.2
CFU 1.3
CFU 1.4
CFU 1.5
CFU 1.7

Unit I Notes

Koppen Climate Classification System (Module 1.3)

Rules of Ecogeography (Module 1.6)

Solar Insolation (Module 1.1)

The Human Reach (Module 1.8)
Where in the World?
File Size: 5820 kb
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Unit I Review

Unit I Study Guide - Conceptual Ecological Biogeography

Unit I Assignments

Deconstructing Climographs
File Size: 111 kb
File Type: pdf
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Submission Form
(Module 1.3)
Geographic Zones
File Size: 114 kb
File Type: pdf
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Submission Form
(Module 1.2)
Scaling Place
File Size: 93 kb
File Type: pdf
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 Submission Form
(Module 1.5)
Seasonal Insolation
File Size: 83 kb
File Type: pdf
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Seasonal Insolation
(Module 1.1)
Testing Bergmann and Allen
File Size: 94 kb
File Type: pdf
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Submission Form
(Module 1.6)
To Each Their Own
File Size: 95 kb
File Type: pdf
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Submission Form
(Module 1.7)

Unit I Resources

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Unit II -  A Biogeographic Perspective of the World's Physical Regions

Unit II Schedule

Week 6: Exploring Physical Regions
     (Feb 7-11th)
Module 2.1: Biome Refresher
     Guiding Inquiry: What is a biome and what                 distinguishes one from another?
     Forum: Living the Easy Life (2.1)
     - Introduce Unit Portfolio (Assessment)
     - Earth's Ecosystems and Biomes (Notes)
          + Biomes - The Living Landscape (Video)
Module 2.2: Scientific Basis of Biomes
     Guiding Inquiry: How can scientific data be                 used to track, measure, and classify biomes?  
     Forum: Measuring Biomes (2.2)
     - Holdridge Life Zones Chart (Notes)
     Map Lab: Investigating Biodiversity (Assignment)
          + Investigating Biodiversity Webmap
          + TED-Ed: Why is Biodiversity so Important?
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Week 9: The Arctic and Subarctic
     (Feb 28-Mar 4th)
No School Friday Mar 3 - Science Fair
Module 2.6: An unforgiving Landscape
     Guiding Inquiry: What is unique about the Tundra       as a region, where is it located, and what issues         is it facing due to the warming climate?
     Forum: Bring the Arctic Home (2.6)
​     - Issues from the Polar Regions (Notes)
          + VICE: Stopping the Arctic Ice from Melting
     Portfolio Piece: Polar & Sub-Arctic Regions
Module 2.7: The Frozen Lungs of the Planet
     Guiding Inquiry: How do the large boreal forests         on the Arctic and Sub-arctic compare to the               forests found elsewhere around the world?
     Forum: A Blessing or a Curse? (2.7)
     - Reading....for Science! (Assignment)
​          + Boreal Forest Health and Global Change
​
     Discussion: Reading....for Science!
     Portfolio Piece: Polar & Sub-Arctic Regions
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Week 12: Temperate Forests
     (Mar 28-Apr 1st)
Module 2.12: Forest Ecoregions
     Guiding Inquiry: 
     Forum: The Bete Noir of Forests (2.12)
​     - Earth's Temperate Forests (Notes)
     - Save the Forests! (Assignment)
     Portfolio Piece: Temperate Coniferous,                     Temperate Evergreen, & Temperate Deciduous           Forests 
Module 2.13: Mid-Latitude Forests 
     Guiding Inquiry: Why do species in Mid-Latitude       forests need to be so adaptable?
     Forum: Nature Around You (2.13)
          ​     Field Lab: Out and About (Student Choice)
     - Planet Earth: Forests
     Portfolio Piece: Temperate Coniferous,                     Temperate Evergreen, & Temperate Deciduous           Forests ​
Week 7: Arid and Semi-Arid Regions
     (Feb 14-18th)
No School  Feb 17-18th - Conferences
Module 2.3: Spatial Distribution of Arid Regions
     Guiding Inquiry: Where are the planet's arid               and semi-arid regions located, and how does             their physical location impact the ecosystem?
     Forum: As Nurturing as a Desert (2.3)
     - Arid and Semi-Arid Regions (Notes)
     Field Lab: The Wadi Rum (VR)
     Portfolio Piece: Arid & Semi-Arid Regions
          + Adding Elements to Portfolio
Module 2.4: Harshest Environment
     Guiding Inquiry: How have species evolved to             better survive in the harsh conditions of a desert?
     Forum: Adapt, Or Else?? (2.4)
     Field Lab: Surviving in a dry Land (Desert Dome)
          + Submission Form
​     Portfolio Piece: Arid & Semi-Arid Regions
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Week 10: Alpine Regions
     (Mar 7-11th)
Module 2.8: Mile High Living
     Guiding Inquiry: Why might life in high altitudes       be so difficult for plants and animals?
     Forum 2.8: Desirable or Not
     - Alpine Ecoregion (Notes)
          + Google Expeditions VR
​
     Portfolio Piece: Alpine
Module 2.9: Portfolio Work Day
     Guiding Inquiry: ​How do the biomes differ in their        ability to support populations of diverse species?
     Forum: Biggest Issues as of Yet? (2.9)
     - Work Time: Complete sections 1,3 & 6 of                   Portfolio
     HW: Portfolio Check
          + Elements added - Polar & Sub-Arctic                           Regions, Arid & Semi-Arid Regions, Alpine
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Week 13: Tropical Regions
     (Apr 4-8th)   

No School Friday April 5th - Testing Day
Module 2.14: Distribution of Tropical Forests
     Guiding Inquiry:What are the different types of       tropical forest and how are they shaped by                 different physical forces?
     Forum: The Jungle Book (2.14)
     - Tropical Forests (Notes)
          + YouTube: Tropical Forests 
     Field Lab: Everyone has a Niche (Jungle)
     Portfolio Piece: Tropical Forests & Tropical               Seasonal Forests​
Module 2.15: Issues of Tropical Forests
     Guiding Inquiry: Why is it increasingly vital to           protect the planet's tropical forests?
     Forum: Building Prior Knowledge (2.15)
     - Forest Degradation Story Telling (Assignment)
          + Basemap
          + Example: State of America's Forests
          + NatGeo: Deforestation Facts and Figures 
     Portfolio Piece: Tropical Forests & Tropical               Seasonal Forests​
Week 8: The Cryosphere
     (Feb 21-25th)
No School Monday Feb 21st - President's Day
Module 2.5: Life in the Coldest Regions
     Guiding Inquiry: What special adaptations have         species in the polar regions made to survive in           their harsh environments?
     
Forum: Ups and Downs of Tourism (2.5)
​     Field Lab: Similar but Separate (Aquarium)
     Field Lab: Polar Obsession (VR)
​     Field Lab: Helicopter Ride over the Arctic (VR)
     Field Lab: Journey to the Arctic (VR)
     Portfolio Piece: Polar & Sub-Arctic Regions
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Week 11: Our Blue Planet
     (Mar 21-25th)
Module 2.10: Changes to our Coastal Seas
     Guiding Inquiry: What can cause ocean                       ecosystems to change both positively and                   negatively over time?
     Forum: Changing Ecosystems (2.10)
​     Field Lab: Coastal Issues (Aquarium)
     - Pristine Oceans (Assignment)
          + TED Talk: Enric Sala - Glimpse of a Pristine               Ocean 
          + Nceas: Human Impact on Marine                                 Ecosystems
     Portfolio Piece: Marine & Freshwater
Module 2.11: Earth's Freshwater Resources
     Guiding Inquiry: How are the freshwater                     ecosystems different than the marine systems           and where are they located? 
     Forum: The Home Waters (2.11)
     - The Hydrosphere (Notes)
     Portfolio Piece: Marine & Freshwater
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Week 14: The Prairies and Steppes
     (Apr 12-16th) 

No School Friday Apr 15th - Teacher Work Day
Module 2.16: Life on the Grasslands
     Guiding Inquiry: What are the distinctive                   subdivisions of grasslands and what are the               different issues associated with the biome?
     Forum: Dangers of life in the Open (2.16)
     Field Lab: Toadstool Geological Park (VR)
     - The Grassland Biome (Notes)
          + Flora and Fauna of Glacier Creek
     HW: Study Shows Importance of Biodiversity to                 Grasslands
     HW: Prairie Biodiversity (Control)
     Portfolio Piece: Temperate Grasslands
Module 2.17: Open Range
     Guiding Inquiry: Is the analogy of the                       grasslands as a desert accurate?
     Forum: Like a Desert? (2.17)
     - Prairies of North America (Assignment)    
          + Encyclopedia of the Great Plains: Physical                 Environment
​     Portfolio Piece: Temperate Grasslands

Prairie Protector
Week 15: 
     (Apr 18-22nd) 

No School Friday Apr 18th - Teacher Work Day
Module 2.18: Clear the Savanna 
     Guiding Inquiry:
     Forum: (2.18)
​
     Field Lab: Game Trails (African Grasslands)
​
     Portfolio Piece: Tropical Savanna
Module 2.19: Portfolio Work Day
     Guiding Inquiry: How do the biomes differ in their        ability to support populations of diverse species?
     Forum: Progress Check (2.19)
Week 16: Portfolio Completion
     (Apr 25-29th) 
Module 2.20: Portfolio Work Day
     Guiding Inquiry: How do the biomes differ in their        ability to support populations of diverse species?
     Forum: (2.20)
​
​     - Portfolio Submission
Module 2.21: Portfolio Presentation & Review
     Guiding Inquiry: How do the biomes differ in their        ability to support populations of diverse species?
     Forum: (2.21)
Week 17: Unit Assessment
     (May 2-6th) 

Senior Ceremony - Thursday May 5th
Module 2.22: Unit II Celebration of Knowledge
     Guiding Inquiry: How do the biomes differ in their ability to support populations of diverse species?
     Forum: (2.22) 
​     - Unit II Test - The World's Physical Regions

Unit II Notes

Alpine Ecoregion
File Size: 2335 kb
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Alpine Ecoregion
(Module 2.8)

Arid and Semi-Arid Regions
File Size: 835 kb
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Arid and Semi-Arid Regions 
​(Module 2.3)
Earth’s Ecosystems and Biomes
File Size: 7383 kb
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Earth's Ecosystem and Biomes
(Module 2.1)
Holdridge Life Zones Chart
File Size: 612 kb
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Holdridge Life Zones Chart
(Module 2.3)
Issues from the Polar Regions
File Size: 937 kb
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Issues from the Polar Regions
(Module 2.6)
The Hydrosphere
File Size: 4453 kb
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Unit II Assessment

World Ecoregions Portfolio
Adding Elements to Portfolio
Exemplar: World Biomes by Lauren S.
Adding Elements to Portfolio
File Size: 99 kb
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Ecobiogeography Portfolio
File Size: 153 kb
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Unit II Assignments

Investigating Biodiversity
File Size: 104 kb
File Type: pdf
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Investigating Biodiversity
(Module 2.2)

Pristine Oceans
File Size: 92 kb
File Type: pdf
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Submission Form
(Module 2.10)
Reading...for Science!
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: pdf
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Submission Form
(Module 2.7)
Surviving in A Dry Land
File Size: 77 kb
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Submission Form
(Modulee 2.4)

Unit II Review

Unit II Review: The World's Physical Regions
File Size: 87 kb
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Earth's Temperate Forests (Module 2.14)
Issues from the Polar Regions (Module 2.9)
The Grassland Biome (Module 2.16)
The Mountain Ecoregion (Module 2.11)
Tropical Forests (Module 2.5)
A Conceptual Model for the Study of Biomes
File Size: 512 kb
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Unit II Resources

TED - Why is Biodiversity So Important?
Biomes - The Living Landscape
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A World of Forests: Atlas

Jump: Gorillas in the Congo

National Geographic: Glow Worm Cave (VR)


Unit III - Human Ecology Geoinquiry

Unit III Schedule

Week 18: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry 
     (May 9-13rd) 
Module 3.1: Develop Research Question
     Guiding Inquiry:What is an ecological issue             you would like to learn more about?
     Forum 3.1: Question Development
     - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment)
​          + Ask
     Benchmark: Functional Research Question
Module 3.2: Project Research
     Guiding Inquiry: How can ecological issues be         addressed through research?
     Forum 3.2: Research Focus
     - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment)
​          + Acquire
     Benchmark: Resources identified and research                               begun
Week 19: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry 
     (May 16-20th) 
Module 3.4: Project Research
     Guiding Inquiry: Why is solid research design           important to the completion of ecological work?
     Forum 3.4:
     - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment)
​          + Acquire
     Benchmark: All research completed
Module 3.5: Project Compilation
     Guiding Inquiry: What types of visuals are               needed to help further explain a topic?
     Forum 3.5: Pitch Your Maps
     - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment)
​          + Visualize and Organize
     Benchmark: Information and pictures formatted
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Week 19: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry 
     (May 23-25th) 
Last Day of School - Wednesday May 25th
Module 3.8:
     Guiding Inquiry:
     Forum 3.8: End of the Year
     - Student Survey

Unit III Notes

Unit III Assignments

Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
File Size: 230 kb
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Unit III Resources

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Ecological Biogeography Course Resources

Class Resources

Conducting Field Studies
File Size: 106 kb
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Ecological Biogeography Vocabulary Index
File Size: 150 kb
File Type: pdf
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Ecological Biogeography Forum

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Additional Resources

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Biome Viewer
Earth Viewer
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