dlese.org|1007936
This site provides information about the six ecosystems on which life on Earth most heavily depends: agricultural, forest, freshwater, grassland, coastal, and urban. It is part of a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) project, which includes a discussion guide. Ecosystems are described as communities of interacting organisms and the physical environment in which they live. The goods and services that ecosystems provide are said to form the foundation of human economies. Ecosystems purify air and water, help to control climate, and produce valuable soil-services. Site users may access a discussion guide to accompany the broadcast of the video/television program, which can be used in colleges, secondary schools, and in community groups. Case studies are taken from the companion book, World Resources 2000-2001: Ecosystems and People: The Fraying Web of Life, and from Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems: Agroecosystems (World Resources Institute). This online text includes profiles, case studies, and ecosystem assessments with references to ecosystems around the world. A list of additional resources includes links to environmental organizations, books, and periodicals.
Summary
| Subject keyword(s) | Agricultural science, Astronomy, Climate, Earth and space science, Earth materials, Earth science, Ecology, Ecology, Forestry and Agriculture, Ecosystems, Environmental science, Forestry, Geography, Geoscience, Human geography, Human population growth, Humans and the environment, Life science, Personal and social issues, Physical sciences, Science, Social Sciences, Soil, Space Science, Space sciences, Water |
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| Grade level | Middle School, High School, Higher Education, Informal Education, Vocational/Professional Development Education |
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| Intended audience | Educator, General Public, Learner |
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| Resource type | Assessment Materials, Community, Instructional Material, Reference Material, Service |
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| Resource format | application, application/pdf, image, image/jpeg, text, text/html |
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| Rights | PBS permits use of hardcopies from portions of its website for non-profit, educational (i.e. a teacher or instructor offering a course at a university/college, within a school system, or at an adult education/lifelong learning facility, with no fee charged for the material), and/or personal activities. On any document of PBS Online content photocopied for distribution, please note the name of the PBS site, the URL (web address), and a copyright notice if available. |
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Using this resource
Found in collection(s)
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| Title | DLESE Community Collection |
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| Link | http://www.dlese.org/ |
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| Description | The Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) mission is to improve the quality, quantity, and efficiency of teaching and learning about the Earth System, by developing, managing, and providing access to high-quality educational resources and supporting services through a community-based, distributed digital library. Intended users include students, educators and citizens of all ages, in both formal and informal learning environments. The collection favors resources that convey linkages and connections; the general with the specific, theory with evidence, global with local, and that demonstrate the application of science to solving real world problems. This includes providing access to Earth data sets and imagery, and the tools and interfaces that enable their effective use. DLESE resources are community-contributed, by individuals, organizations, and formal collection efforts. |
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| Title | Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) |
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| Link | http://msteacher2.org/ |
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| Description | The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience. |
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| Full description and distribution of resources |
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Content contained within the resource
What Are Ecosystems? Agricultural | Forests | Coastal | Grasslands | Freshwater | Urban The Value of Ecosystems Ecosystems are communities of interacting organisms and the physical environment in which they live. They are the combination and interaction of the plants, animals, minerals, and people in any given area of the Earth. A small bog, a single sand dune, or a tiny patch of forest is an ecosystem. But ecosystems are also forests covering thousands of kilometers, a major river system, a desert. Every centimeter of the planet is part of an ecosystem. Maybe the most familiar natural ecosystems are our backyards or parks near our home. Below are the six ecosystems on which life on Earth most heavily depends: Agroecosystems - the farms where we grow our food and the livestock production systems-ranches and hog farms, for example-where we produce meat products. Forest ecosystems - the woodlands where we hike, cut timber, and hunt. Freshwater ecosystems - the lakes, streams, and rivers we fish in, boat on, transport our goods over, and rely on for drinking water. Grassland ecosystems - meadows, prairies, pampas, savannas, and steppes where we graze our cattle. Coastal ecosystems - the beaches where we play, the marine waters we trawl, the reefs and atolls that line coasts in tropical waters and buffer our coastlines. Urban ecosystems - Even cities and suburbs are ecosystems, where a greater concentration of economic and educational opportunities are offered and where nearly half of the world's populations live. The goods and services that ecosystems provide us with form the foundation of our economies. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are responsible for 50% of all jobs worldwide and 70% of the jobs in sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, and the Pacific. In 25% of the world's nations, crops, timber, and fish still contribute more to the economy than do industrial goods. Ecosystems also purify our air and water, help to control our climate, and produce soil-services that can't be replaced at any reasonable cost. In our heavily industrialized societies, work, religious expression, and recreation often take place in urban areas. But natural ecosystems also provide places for religious expression, aesthetic enjoyment, and recreation. Every year, millions of people make pilgrimages to outdoor holy places, vacation in scenic regions, or simply pause in a park or a garden to reflect or relax. It is our very reliance on ecosystems that is threatening them. As our populations grow and consumption of food, water, and other materials increases, the ecosystems that provide for these needs are being stressed and in some cases destroyed. For comprehensive data about the world's ecosystems, visit EarthTrends atwww.earthtrends.wri.org/. Take our Interactive Quiz to see how much you know about ecosystems, then check out our Get Involved section to learn about ways you can make a positive difference in your home, your community, and your world. Discussion Guide | Buy the Book and Video | Moyers Mailing List Bulletin Boards | Classroom Materials | Resources | Glossary | Site Credits
