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Description
This fast-paced video emphasizes that in the world of ecology, 'change is good'. Since stability never happens in ecosystems, naturally-occurring, “intermediate disturbances” can actually create new habitats and more biodiverse communities. The program explains primary succession, secondary succession and climax community and relates these concepts to the complex interactions between living and non-living things in sustainable ecosystems. A common thread throughout the video is to be mindful of the stresses that man-made disturbances can place on any ecological community.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This video should be used in high school science and environmental science classes to support the teaching of the ecosystem concept. Specific attention is paid to ecological succession, balance and equilibrium in living systems, human vs natural disturbance, the value of biodiversity and the need for sustainability. The video highlights the complex interactions of living and non-living things in terrestrial ecosystems and supports geography and social studies outcomes related to 'humans and the environment'.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
- Science 14:Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 20: Changes in Living Systems
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Changing ecosystems are maintained by natural processes.
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Specialized Science 12: Biodiversity is dependent on the complex interactions and processes between biotic and abiotic factors
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Scientific Literacy
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Sustainable Development
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 1206: Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 2200: Ecosytems
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Geography 3200/3202: Ecosystems
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Experiential Science 10, Terrestial Systems: Ecology of the Land
- Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
- Science 14:Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 20: Changes in Living Systems
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- AP Environmental Science: The Living World: Biodiversity
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Geography: Planet Earth
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Experiential Science 10, Terrestial Systems: Ecology of the Land
- Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
- Science 14: Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 20: Changes in Living Systems
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 621A: Ecological Principles
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Applied Science & Technology:The Living World
- Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
- Science & Technology:The Living World
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Contemporary World: Environment
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 20: Terrestrial Systems
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Changing ecosystems are maintained by natural processes.
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Specialized Science 12: Biodiversity is dependent on the complex interactions and processes between biotic and abiotic factors
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (4)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
- Habitat Loss
- Interdependence
