Introduce factors which affect the distribution of species, especially climate.
Discuss how different species possess distinct growth forms which allow them to adapt.
View photos of plants which look alike but have distinct anatomies and physiologies.
Define biomes, terrestrial biomes, habitat.
View from diagrams and discuss why latitude and altitude affect the biomes found in an area.

Elicit factors which will affect distribution of species.
Identify adaptations to climate which allow species to survive.
Define biomes.
Define terrestrial biomes and habitat.
Use images to show how latitude will determine biomes as well as altitude.

List the 5 layers which comprise the atmosphere. Discuss the function of the troposphere, the closest layer to the Earth.
Indicate the affect gravity has on the density and pressure exerted by gases in the troposphere.
Hand out, read and discuss a paper which deals with UV radiation, heat, and skin damage.
Discuss how the stratosphere contains the ozone layer and is protective.
Work out why the upper layer of the stratosphere is warmer than the lower layer. Discuss the blocking of UV radiation.
Show with diagrams how the temperature at different Earth locations depends on the angle of sunlight, ans how the "northern lights" are formed

Ourline and discuss the unequal heating of the earth.
List the 5 layers of the atmosphere, Discuss how gravity effects the density and pressure of each layer. Indicate how and why temperature decreases as the distance from the earth increases within the troposphere.
Discuss the stratosphere containg the ozone layer along with the blocking of the UVB and C rays.
Show why the temperature warms toward the top of the stratosphere.

Outline and discuss the effect on the species variety of algae along the New England coast by increases, decreasing, and intermediate snail population disturbances. View the results on a graph of species variety vs. snail population disturbance. Outline the reasons why the intermediate disturbance will produce a greater variety of species than the other two.
Review Module 8 questions

Review the term disturbance as it applies to an ecosystem.
Discuss the effect on the algae population along the New England seacoast by differing populations of Periwinkle snails which feed on the alga. Graphically view the results on algae species variety caused by small populations of snails, large populations of snails, and intermediate populations of snails. List and discuss the reasons why this occurs. Review module 8 questions and discuss answers.
List and discuss anthropogenic ways that affect the concentration of carbon in the environment, in the form of carbon dioxide. Discuss the effects of this increase on the increase in biomass which will attempt to overcome the higher carbon dioxide concentration and increase in global temperature.

Elicit 3-4 factors which will affect a forest ecosystem.
Expand the list to 8-9 major factors.
Discuss how each will play a role in disturbing the forest ecosystem.
Introduce and discuss the anthropogenic affects on a forest or woodland ecosystem.
Elicit ways in which the disturbances can be lessened.

List and discuss the 10 steps which are involved in the phosphate cycle. Discuss the importance of phosphate to both plant and animal life, especially in the formation of nucleic acids.
List and discuss how humans have affected the cycle, causing increases in phosphate in the water, causing algae bloom, fish kills and dead zones due to hypoxia.

Review the importance of nitrogen products to living organisms.
Discuss the nitrogen cycle from atmospheric nitrogen to usable nitrates through the action of nitrogen fixing bacteria and bacteria of decay.
Discuss the phosphate cycle from the weathering of rock and mining of phosphate rock for fertilizer to the organic phosphate products formed by assimilation.
List and examine the human impact on the phosphate cycle. Include the formation of algae bloom, the formation of dead zones in aquatic ecosystems, and the overuse of phosphate containing detergents causing overgrowth.

List and classify possible disturbances to ecosystems and the results which may be attributed to those changes. Compare anthropogenic changes to natural occurring changes.
Discuss how not all disturbances create a disaster. Differentiate between resistance and resilience, and use examples.