Stage 1 Desired Results

Unit 2: Vernal Pool Ecology

Pacing: 5 weeks

Stage 1 Desired Results

Established Goals:

• LS 2-8 Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to survive and reproduce.

• LS 4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.

• LS 2-2 Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

Transfer

Students will be able to independently use their learning to….

• Explain how small “seasonal” bodies of water provide evidence for assessing overall forest health and determining how environmental changes have a cascading impacts upon an ecosystem

• Recognize how adaptation specialization is a potential threat to a species survival when environmental changes occur at an accelerated time frame 

• Understand how development patterns have a direct impact and a hidden cost on ecosystem services provided, which necessitates regulating building activities near keystone habitats for protecting sensitive ecosystems

Meaning

Understandings

Students will understand…

• Vernal pools can be utilized for assessing changes in forest ecosystems 

• Obligate species abundance and diversity provide reliable data on determining impacts from human disturbance

• Utilizing geospatial and remote sensing data for locating vernal pools in forested areas

Essential Questions

Students will keep considering…

• Why are vernal pool ecosystems considered a window into understanding environmental conditions? 

• How is a vernal pool’s stability influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors? 

• Why are obligate species essential for identifying a site as a vernal pool ecosystem?

• How are land use development patterns impactful on vernal pool functionality?

Acquisition

Students will know…

• Vocabulary on identifying / assessing vernal pool ecosystem

• Recognize landscape characteristics found in creating a vernal pool

• Impacts of habitat alteration on vernal pool ecosystems 

• Both physical and biological factors influence a vernal pool functionality

Students will be skilled at…

• Identifying vernal pools found in forest by physical characteristics, biological indicators and surrounding landscape

• Construct field exercises for assessing key biotic and abiotic factors associated with vernal pool ecosystems 

• Conduct field surveys determining diversity and abundance of obligate species at vernal pool sites 

• Determining an vernal pool ecosystems’ health / functionality using criteria for assessing impact of environmental changes