2.2 Understanding Interactions in the Biosphere
In this section you will find materials that support the implementation of 2.2: Understanding Interactions in the Biosphere. Use the navigation below to find the materials.
Section Materials
Visions of Earth, by AGI
A four-DVD set on interactions in Earth systems.
The
Pompeii Worm, by SERC,
This page from Microbial Life Education Resources highlights
a fascinating example of marine symbiosis. There is explanatory information
about the worm (Alvinella pompejana) and its bacterial companions and
the extreme environment of the hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor where
they live. There are pictures and extensive collection of links to further
information available on the page.
Tree of Life, by Tree of Life Project
“The basic goals of the Tree of Life project are to provide a uniform
and linked framework in which to publish electronically information about
the evolutionary history and characteristics of all groups of organisms.
To present a modern scientific view of the evolutionary tree that unites
all organisms on Earth. To aid learning about and appreciation of biological
diversity.”
Life Without Light, by Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State
University
The site presents material describing the unique animal communities
surrounding deep-sea methane seep habitats in the Gulf of Mexico.
Visitors can study numerous photographs and brief text descriptions
of tubeworms, mussels, ice worms, and other organisms that inhabit
an ecosystem that exists in total darkness. Other materials include
an article on deep-sea submersibles, videos of sea life and scientists
at work, and links to related organizations.
Locusts, by Earth Observatory, NASA
This short article provides an excellent description of locust
infestations. It offers students with information on how science
works. There are some images of wadis taken of the same area over
time to see the impact of these pests. A blurry image of a lone
farmer helplessly watching an approaching cloud of locusts serves
as a reminder of the impact of nature on humans.
Antarctica, by NASA
The relatively snow and ice free valleys in Antarctica near McMurdo Sound provide
a unique environment for the study of extremophile organisms. The
valleys also exhibit a long term temperature decrease, as does the
Antarctic region overall.
A
Close Look at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Allows students to examine Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. After
becoming familiar with a bathymetric/topographic map of the area, students
select a transect along the seafloor to study some of the geological,
biological, and physical features that are present. In this activity students
use a bathymetric/topographic map as a tool for recognizing geobiological
features of the sanctuary, create a depth profile from a topographic map,
use a transect as a tool for quantifying geological, physical, and biological
features along the seafloor, and correlate species with habitat type in
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Supporting data are provided.
The world's biomes, by UC Berkeley
View this on-line exhibition about the world's biomes.
Visions of Earth, by AGI
82 High-definition animations showing a variety of Earth and space system processes.
Marine Food Web, by NASA
This conceptual animation illustrates some of the ecological pathways between species within the marine ecosystem. Single-celled microscopic plants called phytoplankton float in the upper ocean. These photosynthetic plants form the foundation of the marine food web, and nearly all life in the ocean depend upon them for survival, including microscopic zooplankton and whales.
Investigation 2.2 | Investigation 2.3 