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Conservation and Restoration Ecology: Healing Our Planet

Conservation and Restoration Ecology: Healing Our Planet

Environmental Science Grades High School 10:13 Video

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Lesson Description

Explore the critical fields of conservation biology and restoration ecology and learn how they are applied to protect and restore damaged ecosystems.

Video Resource

Conservation and Restoration Ecology: Crash Course Ecology #12

CrashCourse

Duration: 10:13

Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

Conservation biology
Restoration ecology
Biodiversity (species, genetic, ecosystem)
Extinction vortex
Minimum viable population (MVP)
Structural restoration
Bioremediation
Biological augmentation

Learning Objectives

Define conservation biology and restoration ecology.
Explain the importance of biodiversity at different levels (species, genetic, and ecosystem).
Describe the concept of the extinction vortex and its impact on small populations.
Calculate the minimum viable population size.
Compare and contrast different restoration ecology strategies (structural restoration, bioremediation, and biological augmentation).
To analyze case studies of conservation and restoration projects and evaluate their effectiveness.

Educator Instructions

Introduction (5 mins)
Begin by introducing the topic of conservation and restoration ecology. Briefly explain how human activities have impacted ecosystems and the importance of protecting and restoring them. Show the Crash Course video.
Video Viewing and Note-Taking (13 mins)
Instruct students to watch the Crash Course video 'Conservation and Restoration Ecology'. Encourage them to take notes on key concepts, definitions, and examples provided in the video.
Discussion: Types of Biodiversity (10 mins)
Lead a class discussion focusing on the different types of biodiversity (species, genetic, and ecosystem). Ask students to provide examples of each and explain why each type is important for ecosystem health and resilience.
Activity: Case Study Analysis - Milltown Dam (15 mins)
Divide students into small groups and assign them the task of analyzing the Milltown Dam restoration project presented in the video. Ask them to identify the problem, the solutions implemented, and the potential benefits of the restoration efforts.
Explanation: Conservation Strategies (10 mins)
Explain small population conservation and declining population conservation. Discuss extinction vortex and how Minimum Viable population is calculated.
Explanation: Restoration Strategies (10 mins)
Explain structural restoration, bioremediation, and biological augmentation with examples.
Wrap-up and Quiz (7 mins)
Summarize the key concepts covered in the lesson. Administer the multiple choice quiz and the fill-in-the-blank quiz.

Interactive Exercises

Create a Conservation Plan
Imagine a local ecosystem is threatened by development. Work in small groups to create a conservation plan. Include specific actions to protect the ecosystem and increase biodiversity. Present your plan to the class.

Discussion Questions

How does habitat fragmentation affect genetic diversity within a species?
What are some of the ethical considerations involved in restoration ecology (e.g., deciding which historical state to restore to)?
Why is it considered easier to protect ecosystems than trying to fix them?

Skills Developed

Critical thinking
Problem-solving
Data analysis
Collaboration
Scientific communication

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is the primary goal of conservation biology?

Studying the interactions of organisms

Protecting biodiversity and ecosystems

Developing new technologies

Understanding the origin of life

Correct Answer: Protecting biodiversity and ecosystems

Question 2:

Which of the following is NOT a type of biodiversity?

Species diversity

Genetic diversity

Ecosystem diversity

Geographic diversity

Correct Answer: Geographic diversity

Question 3:

What is the 'extinction vortex'?

A type of tornado that destroys habitats

A positive feedback loop that leads to extinction

A government program for endangered species

A method for restoring degraded ecosystems

Correct Answer: A positive feedback loop that leads to extinction

Question 4:

What is the minimum viable population (MVP)?

The largest sustainable population size

The smallest population size that can survive

The average population size of a species

The population size needed for genetic engineering

Correct Answer: The smallest population size that can survive

Question 5:

Which restoration ecology strategy involves removing human impacts and rebuilding natural structures?

Bioremediation

Biological augmentation

Structural restoration

Genetic modification

Correct Answer: Structural restoration

Question 6:

What does bioremediation involve?

Adding nutrients to the soil

Using organisms to remove toxins

Building new habitats

Removing invasive species

Correct Answer: Using organisms to remove toxins

Question 7:

What is biological augmentation?

Removing harmful substances from the ecosystem

Adding organisms to restore missing materials

Creating artificial habitats

Controlling pollution levels

Correct Answer: Adding organisms to restore missing materials

Question 8:

What was the main pollutant in the Milltown Dam Superfund site?

Petroleum

Arsenic and heavy metals

Plastic

Radioactive waste

Correct Answer: Arsenic and heavy metals

Question 9:

Why is genetic diversity important for a species?

It makes the species more attractive.

It allows the species to adapt to new situations.

It prevents the species from reproducing.

It helps the species maintain a constant population size.

Correct Answer: It allows the species to adapt to new situations.

Question 10:

Which of the following is an example of biological augmentation?

Removing a dam from a river.

Planting nitrogen-fixing plants in damaged soil.

Using bacteria to clean up an oil spill.

Building artificial reefs to attract fish.

Correct Answer: Planting nitrogen-fixing plants in damaged soil.

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

__________ biology involves measuring the biodiversity of an ecosystem and determining how to protect it.

Correct Answer: Conservation

Question 2:

__________ ecology is the science of restoring broken ecosystems.

Correct Answer: Restoration

Question 3:

__________ diversity refers to the variety of different ecosystems within an area.

Correct Answer: Ecosystem

Question 4:

__________ is a shift in the overall genetic makeup which leads to less diversity.

Correct Answer: Genetic drift

Question 5:

The __________ is the smallest size at which a population can survive and sustain itself.

Correct Answer: minimum viable population

Question 6:

__________ restoration is the removal and cleanup of human impact.

Correct Answer: Structural

Question 7:

__________ recruits organisms temporarily to help remove toxins.

Correct Answer: Bioremediation

Question 8:

__________ involves adding organisms to the ecosystem to restore materials that are gone.

Correct Answer: Biological augmentation

Question 9:

The Milltown Dam Superfund site was polluted with __________ from copper mining.

Correct Answer: arsenic and heavy metals

Question 10:

Introducing __________ toads to Australia to control beetles is an example of a failed biological control effort.

Correct Answer: cane

Educational Standards

EN.LS2.6:[Standard] Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem. EN.LS2.7:[Standard] Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.* EN.ESS3.4:[Standard] Evaluate design solutions for a major global or local environmental problem that reduces or stabilizes the impacts of human activities on natural systems.*

Teaching Materials

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