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2011 MIDDLE SCHOOL WILDLIFE OBJECTIVES Essential Topics 1. Knowledge of MAMMALS a. Mammal ID –mounts, skins & tracks b. Mammal characteristics c. Natural history of mammals 2. Understanding Wildlife Ecology a. Survival requirements of mammals and how they are met b. Ecosystem dynamics: *Predator-prey relationships *Energy flow-food chain, food web, food pyramid c. Adaptations 3. Issues Involving Wildlife and Society a. Endangered and threatened species b. Habitat loss and fragmentation c. Human impact (i.e. pesticides, reintroduction of species, wildlife management, etc.) Learning Objectives I. KNOWLDEDGE OF MAMMALS Envirothon students will be able to: a. b. c. d. Answer questions concerning the natural history of various mammals. Identify mammals from mounted specimens, pictures, skins, skulls, and tracks. See List A Describe the characteristics which make a mammal a mammal. Identify specific habitat requirements and food/habitat preferences of mammals within List A. 2. UNDERSTANDING WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Envirothon students will be able to: a. Identify basic needs of mammals. b. Describe and explain different structural & behavioral adaptations and/or strategies that help mammals survive. c. Explain carrying capacity and identify natural and human factors which impact carrying capacity. d. Describe food chains and food webs and be able to cite examples. e. Describe factors that limit or enhance population growth. 3. ISSUES INVOLVING WILDLIFE AND SOCIETY Envirothon students will be able to: a. Identify mammals that are listed as endangered, threatened or candidate species and describe the main causes that have led to their depleted populations. b. Identify and explain factors that have led to species endangerment or extinction. c. Identify and explain factors which can make a species more likely to become endangered and/or threatened. d. Describe major causes of habitat loss in PA and how habitat loss affects the mammals in List A e. Describe ways each person can help in the protection, conservation management and enhancement of wildlife populations. f. Cite specific examples/methods used to manage &/or conserve wildlife & wildlife habitat. Reference Material List: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Wildlife Notes Series (Match species below) 50 Birds and Mammals of PA booklet Endangered and Threatened Species of PA book Any Field Guide to Mammals Tracks brochure or field guide (brochure provided) PA Mammals – List A Coyote Shrews Black Bear Weasels White-tailed Deer Opossum Bobcat Porcupine Red & Gray Fox Beaver Squirrels – Red, Gray, Fox, & Flying Otter Raccoon Minks & Muskrats Skunk Elk Mice & Voles Bats 2011 MIDDLE SCHOOL AQUATICS OBJECTIVES Essential Topics I. Knowledge of FISH a. Fish identification b. Natural history of fishes c. Habitat/ecosystem types and associated aquatic life II. Understanding Aquatic Ecology a. Survival requirements of fishes and how they are met b. Ecosystem dynamics: • Predator-prey relationships • Energy flow-food chain, food web, food pyramid • Pond/lake succession – eutrophication c. Adaptations d. Population dynamics III. Conservation and Management of Aquatic habitats a. Water and fisheries management b. Improving/managing habitat for fish IV. Issues Involving fish and Society a. Endangered and threatened species b. Habitat loss c. Managing/planning for people and fish – creel limits, catch & release policies, lures vs. live bait, size limits, bioaccumulation of toxins & fish consumption limits, etc. d. Non-native species; invasive species; introduced species Learning Objectives Envirothon Students will be able to: 1. Knowledge of Fish a. Evaluate a specific habitat and select or list species most likely to live there. b. Describe various roles of fish in their ecosystems and be able to cite examples c. Identify species from mounted specimens, pictures or silhouettes. d. Describe ways habitat can be managed/improved for specific fish 2. Understanding Fish Biology a. What makes a fish a fish? Identify, describe, and explain specific anatomical, physiological and/or behavioral adaptations of fish to the environment and how they help the animal survive. (i.e. fins, hibernation, migration/ response to food/water temp, etc.) b. Identify basic needs required by fish. c. Describe predator-prey relationships, discuss physical adaptations of predator vs. prey species, and be able to cite examples. d. Describe and be able to model food chains, food webs, and be able to cite examples. e. Describe factors that limit or enhance population growth. f. Define and explain terms associated with aquatic biology and fish populations. (i.e. carnivore, niche, herbivore, insectivore, omnivore, producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, limiting factor, carrying capacity, territory, home range, population, &.or community.). 3. Conservation and Management of Fish a. Describe the role of the PA Fish & Boat Commission as the agency responsible for the protection, conservation, and management of aquatic animals of Pennsylvania. b. Describe ways each person can help in the protection, conservation management and enhancement of fish populations. 4. Issues involving fish & society a. Describe what makes a species more prone to becoming endangered than other species. b. Define the terms reintroduction, endangered, threatened, extirpated, and extinct. c. Distinguish between native and non-native/invasive species & explain impact of non-natives on natives. d. Describe the main causes that have led to the depleted populations and describe measures being taken to help their recovery. e. Describe major causes of habitat loss in Pennsylvania and how habitat loss affects fish and other aquatic species. FISH ID LIST Yellow Catfish Striped Bass Brown Bullhead Catfish Walleye Northern Pike Johnny Darter Muskellunge American Shad Chain Pickerel Yellow Perch Rainbow Trout Burbot – T Brook Trout Stickleback – E Brown Trout Creek Chub Smallmouth Bass Common Carp Largemouth Bass Common Shiner Sunfish (Redear, Rock bass, Redbreast, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill) References Provided: Pennsylvania Fishes book – pages 4-23 & species from List A (pdf file emailed) All About Fish – Play (1 copy of each provided – more available from Fish & Boat per your request to them) All About Trout - Play The Catfish Family – Play Know Your Sunfish PA’s Dynamic Darters Play: The Sunfish Family Play: Minnows Play: Pennsylvania’s Plentiful Yellow Perch Migratory Fish Restoration & Passage on the Susquehanna River Current PA Fishing Regulations 2011 MIDDLE SCHOOL SOILS & LAND USE OBJECTIVES Essential Topics I Basic Soils Knowledge a. Formation & Drainage b. Basic chemical and physical properties of soil c. Types & Effects of Soil Erosion d. Observing and identifying soil properties/textures e. Why soils are important f. Soil quality indicators II. Land Use & Conservation a. Trade offs: economic vs. environmental b. Land Capabilities: prime farmland, unique lands, preservation c. Topographic Map features & effects d. Ways to improve soil quality III. Application: Using a soil survey Soil Interpretations Learning Objectives Upon completion of the soils unit, the students will be able to: 1. Basic Soils Knowledge: Describe how soils are formed and how soil drainage/percolation is affected depending on soil types/textures. Identify the components of soil and how these components determine its function. Explain how the type of soil and topography effects soil erosion. Identify the 3 main soil particles by sight, touch, and characteristics. Identify various types of soil. 2. Land Use: Identify features/symbols on a topographic map and interpret slope/drainage/land uses. Apply basic soil knowledge in making environmentally sound land use decisions when given a set of known facts. (e.g. type of crop or trees to grow in Weikert soil - soil survey charts; OR easiest route to hike - topographic map) Identify land capabilities/uses by soil type and topography. Identify key characteristics in soils which are used in determining the health/quality of the soil. 3. Application: Use a soil survey to describe and interpret soil uses, soil types, drainage, average temperatures and rainfall in Lebanon County, crop yields, woodland mgt., building site & sanitary development. (Soil Survey pp. 96-121). Reference Materials List – Soil Surveys provided in past, now out of print. Intro to Soils also provided in past. Lebanon County Soil Survey - http://soils.usda.gov/survey/ Topographic Map - http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/ Introduction to Pennsylvania Soils book – Lebanon Conservation District Soil Quality Information Sheets (14 total) Introduction Sediment on Cropland Organic Matter Soil Erosion Compaction Infiltration These are available on websites: http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/ and http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ 2011 MIDDLE SCHOOL FORESTRY OBJECTIVES THEME: Common Plants of Lebanon County/ PA Essential Topics I. Plant Identification a. Knowledge of identifying characteristics (leaf, bark, buds, branches) and key terms (List B) b. Use of a dichotomous key to ID any given plant/flower/shrub in PA from List A c. Status as Endangered, Threatened, Invasive, Introduced (somewhat recently), Noxious Weed II. Plant & Flower Parts a. ID the 6 main parts of a plant & their function b. Flower parts & their function III. Plant Benefits & Uses a. In the home landscape b. Human health and welfare (medicines, edible, poisonous, welfare/aesthetics) c. Wildlife Learning Objectives Students will be able to: 1. Plant ID: a. b. c. d. e. f. Use a dichotomous key to identify common plants of Lebanon County Analyze plant parts to differentiate between species which will aid in proper ID. Describe “distinguishing characteristics” which aid in quick ID Identify by sight and know by name List A and their unique identifying characteristics Describe the benefits, uses, and habitat requirements for any given plant from List A Identify the plant as native, introduced, endangered, threatened, invasive, or a noxious weed. 2. Plant & Flower Parts: a. Identify the 6 main parts of a plant and describe each function. c. Identify and describe the parts of a flower and describe each part’s function. 3. Plant Benefits & Uses a. Identify which plants are often used in the home landscape, how more could be used, and why they should be used (benefits) b. Identify which plants are/have been used for medicinal purposes & how/which ailment; which are edible or poisonous to humans, and how they enhance the landscape. c. Explain how the plants in List A are a benefit or detriment to wildlife. Reference Materials List Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide or other Field Guide – specifically x-xvii (scanned & provided) ID – LIST A Multi flora rose Chickweed Barberry Jewelweed Chickory Queen Ann’s Lace Bloodroot Violet Mayapple Honeysuckle Hogweed Milkweed Japanese Knotweed Poison Ivy Red Raspberry (Wineberry) Virginia Creeper Black Raspberry (Blackberry) Mountain Laurel Wild Strawberry Olive (Russian & Autumn) Purslane Goldenrod Ragweed Mile-A-Minute Weed Buttercups Skunk Cabbage Garlic Mustard Purple Loosestrife Key Terms – List B Opposite Alternate Whorled Toothed Lobed Entire Stem Regular vs. irregular flowers Pistil Stamen Anther Raceme Stigma Sepal Petal Purslane - http://web.extension.illinois.edu/champaign/homeowners/030726.htmlm/cs/weedsdiseases/a/purslane.htm ;