Topics Explored: Abiotic and Biotic Environments, Results of Human Disruption, Ocean Warming, Ocean Acidification
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest collection of coral reefs. With rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and ocean acidification, what can be done to save these beautiful reefs? Answer key included.
Case Study: Great Barrier Reef (Teacher & Student Edition)
ZIP file containing 2 PDF files
(1 Teacher Edition and 1 Student Edition)Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
HS-ESS2-2. Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.
HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
HS-ESS3-2. Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.*
HS-ESS3-3. Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.AP® Environmental Science Learning Objectives:
1.1 Explain how the availability of resources influences species interactions.
2.2 Describe ecosystem services. Describe the results of human disruptions to ecosystem services.
9.5 Explain how changes in climate, both short- and long-term, impact ecosystems.
9.6 Explain the causes and effects of ocean warming.
9.7 Explain the causes and effects of ocean acidification.AP® Environmental Science Practices:
1: Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format.
2: Analyze visual representations of environmental concepts and processes.
3: Analyze sources of information about environmental issues.
4: Analyze research studies that test environmental principles.
5: Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, and graphs.
6: Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts.
7: Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.AP® is a registered trademark registered by the College Board®. This work/product/service has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the College Board®.