Unit 3: Ecology of the Land

Biofuels like ethanol might help fight climate change. But they can contribute to food insecurity and greenhouse gases in ways that might surprise you.

What is the nitrogen cycle? How do human activities such as using fertilizer affect the nitrogen cycle? How can this cause greenhouse gases?

10 images of some cold-blooded vertebrates such as snakes, lizards and alligators typically having dry, scaly skin

9 images of plants in some large naturally occuring habitats called biomes such as tundra, grasslands and boreal forests

6 images of some seedlings sprouting as one of the stages towards full plant growth

10 images showing some stages of plant growth from planting to sprouts growing to harvesting

8 images representing some of the needs of plants for healthy growth such as water, nutrients and light

12 images of some major parts of plants such as stems, roots, flowers and leaves

6 images of some seeds which are the fertilized part of a plant used for germinating new plants such as fennel, kiwis and pumpkins

The ocean is full of very small but very useful creatures called microbes. Without them, none of the sea plants or animals you’ve seen would exist!

A study on bird feeders and beak sizes shows how an everyday human activity can affect the evolution of another species.

6 images of insect mouthparts.

10 images of some animals that have 6 legs and 3 main body parts consisting of a head, thorax and abdomen.

8 images of some invertebrate animals such as sea anemones, coral and jellyfish that live in a marine environment

15 images of some shapes and colours of plant leaves such as shamrocks, purple beech tree leaves and Japanese Maple tree leaves.