Bria McChesney
Dr. Wargo
EDU 415: Literacy Across the Curriculum 4-12
10/13/2023
Resources and Research
1. Ecosystems and their interactions: living and nonliving components in an ecosystem
a. Tradebooks
i. Gero Benckiser, Kumar, K., Hartmann, A., & Bernd Honermeier. (2019). Plant-Microbe-
Insect Interactions in Ecosystem Management and Agricultural Praxis. Frontiers Media
SA.
1. This source contains a wide array of articles from widely known researchers
based on the topic of interactions within an ecosystem. Not only will students
learn about these interactions that occur at all times in every ecosystem, but they
will learn about research techniques and data from scientists in the field. It is
intriguing to learn about and through others’ research in the diverse fields of
natural science.
ii. Ebert. (2005). Ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of parasitism in Daphnia. National
Library of Medicine US National Center for Biotechnology Information.
1. This book considers a wide scope of parasites found in Daphnia and discusses the
impact of parasites on their hosts. It ties into other topics such as the biology of
zooplankton, techniques that hosts employ to fight off parasites, and effects on a
population that result from parasites. Students must be exposed to the interactions
that occur at the level of an organism, a population, and an ecosystem, as
modelled by this book.
iii. Bolpagni, Hussner, A., Bolpagni, R., Hussner, A., Brundu, G., & Lastrucci, L. (2020).
Multiple Roles of Alien Plants in Aquatic Ecosystems: from Processes to Modelling.
Frontiers Media SA.
1. These authors, experienced researchers, compiled their articles concerning botany
and the science of plants. Foreign plants in ecosystems, whether aquatic or
terrestrial, make a significant impact on the food webs and populations of native
species. This can be observed in the wild or through a modelling process
involving replications on conditions in the ecosystem that would affect or be
affected by the alien plants. It can be helpful for students to learn how scientific
discoveries are made and what processes can be employed to reach logical
conclusions regarding the preservation of an ecosystem.
iv. Abrahamson. (1989). Plant-animal interactions. McGraw-Hill.
1. This source is another compilation of writings on diverse subjects concerning that
natural interactions that occur between plants and animals. Many authors came
together through their articles on pollination through carriers, animal habitats
among plants, carnivorous plants, and more. There are countless interactions
between plants and animals that are necessary for the survival of those organisms
and species that are higher up on the food web. These articles can peak the
interest of students as they learn about the necessity of such interactions through a
wide variety of examples.
v. Faucon, & Faucon, M.-P. (2021). Plant-Soil Interactions. MDPI - Multidisciplinary
Digital Publishing Institute.
1. Look at “Nitrogen Cycle” annotation for Faucon’s Plant-Soil Interactions.
b. Website or app for teacher
i. Ecological interactions (article) | Ecology | Khan Academy
1. The source describes interactions in communities and populations between
nonliving and living organisms. It describes niches for various animals found in
their ecosystems. It discusses competition, ecological interactions, and herbivory
as found in ecosystems across the globe.
c. Website for students
i. Living and Non living Things - Characteristics And Difference (byjus.com)
1. The source compares and contrasts living and nonliving things, listing and
describing the characteristics of each. It describes the process by which one might
determine whether an organisms is living or nonliving. This source can establish
initial understanding that will be built upon throughout the unit.
d. Media Sources
i. Discovery Education-Interactions of living & non-living things - YouTube
1. This media source can be watched in class to build anticipation toward the unit. It
explains the meaning and characteristics of habitats and compares living and
nonliving things. Through wildlife photos and videos, it shows and discusses the
interactions of living and living, nonliving and living, and nonliving and
nonliving organisms with each other.
ii. Living and Non-Living Things | Science for KIDS! - YouTube
1. Videos of wild animals, growing flowers, rain, humans, and other living and
nonliving things, the video explains their interactions. In simple terms, having
been created for children, this media source could provide the foundational
information that students require to understand the rest of the unit.
2. Ecosystems and their interactions: life cycles
a. Tradebooks
i. Kids’ books about animal life cycles:
1. Waters, & Mars, W. T. Witold T. (1970). The crab from yesterday: the life-cycle
of a horseshoe crab. F. Warne.
2. George, & Tinkelman, M. (1968). The moon of the monarch butterflies. Crowell.
3. Fleming (2020). Honeybee: the busy life of Apis mellifera (First edition). Neal
Porter Books, an imprint of Holiday House.
a. Read aloud stories can be exciting and even impactful for secondary
students. It is helpful to have examples of life cycles in the form of stories
before beginning a unit on life cycles. A unit can start with multiple types
of life cycles being introduced through stories or examples of the various
types.
ii. Despommier, & Karapelou, J. W. (1987). Parasite life cycles. Springer-Verlag.
1. Despommier and Karapelou evaluate and describe the life cycle of parasites in
human hosts of 75 types of parasites. Anatomical and medical images depict the
route of the infection starting at the entry point and continuing through the
reproduction of the following generation. It is important to learn diverse types of
life cycles, including that of parasites within human hosts.
iii. Ceh, Gonzalez, J., Pacheco, A. S., & Riascos, J. M. (2015). The elusive life cycle of
scyphozoan jellyfish--metagenesis revisited. Scientific Reports, 5(1), 12037–12037.
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep12037.
1. The life cycle of Scyphozoan jellyfish greatly impacts the marine ecosystem in
which they live. Looking at the life cycle of this type of jellyfish as modeled 200
years ago, the researchers found additional evidence adding to the initial detail for
the further understanding of this life cycle. This information allows their impact
on the ecosystem, such as in changing food webs, and on human industry to be
understood to a greater extent.
iv. Hossain, Sharifuzzaman, S. M., Chowdhury, S. R., & Sarker, S. (2016). Habitats across
the life cycle of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in aquatic ecosystem of Bangladesh.
Fisheries Management and Ecology, 23(6), 450–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12185.
1. Migratory fish require various habitats for the diverse stages of their lifecycles.
Whether eggs, juveniles, or adults, the fish require a different location at each
phase of the life cycle. They make up a major part of each ecosystem through
their predator, prey relationships; their consumption and act of being consumed
are necessary parts of the ecosystem’s food web.
b. Website for Teacher
i. Animal & Plant Life Cycles Video For Kids | 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade
(generationgenius.com)
1. This website provides basic information and vocabulary words applying to life
cycles. It provides sample discussion questions and reading materials for students.
A sample experiment is explained to give an idea for how to make the unit or
lesson more interactive and hands-on. Although the provided material is at a
lower level, it can still give ideas that will get the unit started and provide ideas to
build upon.
c. Website for Students
i. Ecosystem (nationalgeographic.org)
1. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of the term ecosystem.
From various factors of an ecosystem like a change in temperature to the
relationship between an ecosystem and a biome, the site explains what an
ecosystem looks like, interactions that occur within it, and possible threats to an
ecosystem. The teacher could require students to take notes of the website’s
explanation of an ecosystem, also including looking at the definitions of a
selected number of vocabulary words as provided on the website.
d. Media Source
i. Characteristics of Life - YouTube
1. This source explains the characteristics of living and nonliving organisms. It
considers the adaptations that organisms must do in order to survive. It gives the
definitions of necessary terms such as homeostasis, multicellular, and metabolism
while giving examples within the life cycles of organisms.
ii. Life Cycle | Definition, Stages & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com
1. This source describes various life cycles and the features that make them unique.
It shows examples of life cycles including the chicken and cicada, comparing
them to the human life cycle for reference. It can be helpful to see the comparison
over time, including that one type of cicadas does not pass the immature nymph
stage until they are seventeen years old, the time when humans are about to
graduate high school.
3. Ecosystems and their interactions: nitrogen cycle
a. Tradebooks
i. Takuji Ohyama. (2014). Advances in Biology and Ecology of Nitrogen Fixation.
IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/56990.
1. Nitrogen fixation is an important step in the nitrogen cycle as nitrogen is modified
to a form that can be used by plants. This is an important topic agriculturally as
well as in the studies of ecology and biology. Nitrogen fixation occurs through
nitrogen-fixing bacteria, root nodules containing symbiotic bacteria, and
endophytic nitrogen fixing bacteria found in plant stems. Ecology and biology are
life sciences that relate to everyday issues such as national food production.
ii. Lee, Bhavya, P. S., Lee, S. H., Bhavya, P. S., & Kim, B. K. (2022). Marine Nitrogen
Fixation and Phytoplankton Ecology. MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing
Institute.
1. Even the nitrogen cycle is impacted by global climate changes, impacting primary
producers. As food webs demonstrate visibly, this seemingly slight change leads
to drastic affects across marine ecosystems and therefore across the globe.
Diazotrophs, nitrogen fixers, are affected by temperature changes. It is important
that students understand the impact of humans upon the globe, impact that starts
with the smallest details.
iii. Girard, Sanjuan, J., Girard, L., Sanjuan, J., & Delgado, M. J. (2020). Microbial Control
of the Nitrogen Cycle. Frontiers Media SA.
1. These authors take the time to discuss the role of nitrogen in an environment and
the impacts of other organisms, processes, and circumstances upon the nitrogen
cycle. They consider the impact of pollution on an ecosystem and the nitrogen
levels within it. And they write on the impact of nitrogen seen within food
production. Students will be able to see the ties between the material that they
learn in class and the world that they live in.
iv. Faucon, & Faucon, M.-P. (2021). Plant-Soil Interactions. MDPI - Multidisciplinary
Digital Publishing Institute.
1. Following the knowledge and experiments of Michel-Pierre Faucon, this book
explains the role of plant and soil interactions in an ecosystem. He compares the
differences between cultivated, natural, and degraded soils. The attributes of the
soil then affect plant diversity and communities.
b. Website or app for teacher
i. How it Works | Sound Agriculture
1. Source fertilizer can be used to create an experiment with Source fertilizer vs no
fertilizer in the soil. The website also has a good video that explains the nitrogen
fixation process and the reasons for farmers to use fertilizer on their crops.
c. Website for students
i. The nitrogen cycle (article) | Ecology | Khan Academy
1. Khan Academy explains major information about the nitrogen cycle and provides
descriptive charts for a visual of the cycle. It considers the role of nitrogen in
marine ecology, farming as a limiting nutrient, and human effects on the cycle. At
the end is a video that describes the information for those students who would
prefer hearing it rather than reading it or looking at charts.
d. Media Sources
i. The Nitrogen Cycle! - YouTube
1. Nitrogen is needed for all forms of life, this source explains. It looks at the
chemistry of nitrogen and the role of nitrogen fixating bacteria which puts
nitrogen into a usable form. This video is short but explains the nitrogen cycle in
understandable terms; it could provide an easy summary to a lesson or unit on the
nitrogen cycle.
ii. Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles - YouTube
1. The “Amoeba Sisters” consider the nitrogen and carbon cycles simultaneously.
They look at where carbon and nitrogen can be found, the forms that they are
found in, and the way that they move from one place to another.
4. Threatened, endangered and extinct species: management strategies
a. Tradebooks
i. Nagel. (1999). Endangered species. UXL.
1. Endangered Species, Vol. 1: Mammals, by Rob Nagel
2. Endangered Species, Vol. 2: Arachnids, Birds, Crustaceans, Insects, and
Mollusks, by Rob Nagel
3. Endangered Species, Vol. 3: Amphibians, Fish, Plants, and Reptiles, by Rob
Nagel
4. Nagel studies 200 species of animals that are considered endangered or at risk.
These animals have diverse natural habitats and requirements in order to ensure
their survival for future generations. He gives information regarding these species
and the ecosystems in which they live along with the reasons for their decline in
population numbers. And preservation strategies are given through which the
decline of such species might be slowed or eliminated. Volume I looks at
mammals, Volume II considers arachnids, birds, crustaceans, insects, and
mollusks, and Volume III speaks on amphibians, fish, plants, and reptiles.
ii. Ayambire, R. A., & Pittman, J. (2022). Opening the black box between governance and
management: A mechanism-based explanation of how governance affects the
management of endangered species. AMBIO - A Journal of the Human
Environment, 51(10), 2091–2106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01728-w.
1. Ayambire and Pittman’s research article considers “the link between
environmental governance and environmental management” (Ayambire and
Pittman, Abstract). They look at four different governance conditions that
encourage management cooperation from the public. It is important to have all
hands on deck in preserving populations that are endangered or at risk. This
article looks at possible ways to encourage cooperation and gain the best results
through acceptable governance systems.
b. Website or app for teacher
i. List of Endangered Species | Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org)
1. It is important to understand what organisms are considered endangered and to
consider what man might do to preserve and restore these animals. A teacher
could look at these lists and find organism from their home state or country and
do further research on the animals. Or teachers could assign animals from this list
to each student for an endangered species presentation.
c. Website for students
i. Protecting Endangered Species | National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org)
1. This website outlines the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act as it describes the
approach of the United States to preserving the wildlife found in North America.
It considers the effects of climate change and gives links to various articles
concerning crises and success stories. Lastly, it provides an opportunity to get
involved through donations or helping at local events.
d. Media Sources
i. National Geographic | Endangered Species | BBC Documentary - YouTube
1. The BBC documentary follows the lives of three white lion cubs that are born in
the African safari. The animals are in danger from their birth due to their white
coats that do not blend into the countryside. The documentary shows the
interactions that the cubs experience with older cubs, hyenas, wild buffalo, zebras,
and other animals. Their mother teaches the cubs how to hunt, fight off hyenas
who wish to steal their prey, and other tactics in catching prey and fending for
themselves to preserve their lives.
ii. Our Threatened And Endangered Species: Great Egrets - YouTube
1. This video shows the work of the Pennsylvania Game Commission in their goal to
preserve wildlife, both in the wild and in areas of human populations. They look
at the work of individuals in the service as they catch and preserve wild animals,
specifically the great egrets. The characteristics of these birds make them more
susceptible to human populations, and now their lives are on the line. Students
will learn of and see the preservation strategies that are being implemented even
now to preserve wild egrets.
5. Threatened, endangered and extinct species: rise and fall of numbers of animals in an ecosystem
a. Tradebooks
i. Johnston, Yarrow, G. K., & Miller, J. E. (James E. (2017). Beavers: Boreal Ecosystem
Engineers (1st ed. 2017.). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-
3-319-61533-2.
1. Dr. Carol Johnston, professor of ecology in the Department of Natural Resource
Management at South Dakota State University, writes of her discoveries
concerning beavers’ impact on an ecosystem. She researched mature beaver-
altered landscape in an attempt to determine the dynamics of an ecosystem as
affected by beavers. This research gives an example of ways that data can be
taken from one region, analyzed, and implemented in another region or
ecosystem.
ii. James Patrick Finerty. (1980). The Population Ecology of Cycles in Small Mammals.
1. Many things about ecology are still unknown, relying on theory more than fact.
But mathematical theory is beneficial in ecological and biological fact, aiding in
research of natural phenomena. These disciplines cannot be separated, but instead
ought to be employed in the study of ecology. This book would be influential in
realizing the continuity between biology, geography, climatology, and other
subjects, especially mathematics. No subject is beneficial on its own; rather, when
used alongside other disciplines, great research and understanding can result.
iii. Snyder. (1978). Populations of small mammals under natural conditions: a symposium,
held at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology, May 14-16, 1976. Pymatuning
Laboratory of Ecology, University of Pittsburgh.
1. Using data from many scientists and academic researchers, the populations of
small animal species in the wild are shared. Experimental designs are explained
and statistical analysis applied to the studies. They looked at competition
occurring in the wild and the place of various small animals within the food web,
considering the energy flow seen within an ecosystem. Even small animals have
an impact on their community and are necessary for the survival of all of their
neighbors in the ecosystem.
iv. Ali. (2012). The Functioning of Ecosystems (Ali, Ed.). IntechOpen.
1. Ecosystems are affected by any variability in their region, whether by the hands of
humans or by natural diversity. The complexity of each and every ecosystem
renders it difficult to conserve or renew by human power. This source attempts to
provide information regarding diverse and yet comprehensive topics regarding
ecosystems as a manual in the protection and measurement of ecosystems.
b. Website or app for teacher
i. Biodiversity loss | Causes, Effects, & Facts | Britannica
1. Britannica considers the causes and the effects of biodiversity loss on an
ecosystem. It speaks on species richness, species loss, and population and genetic
diversity declines. It is beneficial to learn of both natural and human-caused
population declines, so this website will prepare the teacher for teaching on
biodiversity in ecosystems.
c. Website for students
i. Population ecology - Population Density, Growth, Interactions | Britannica
1. Describes the nature and actions of populations and their interactions within an
ecosystem. The rise and fall of populations, it explains, affect the other organisms
found in that ecosystem. The population size even affects genetic variation found
within the local population. Explains the calculation of population growth,
survivorship curves, types of population growth, and its limits.
d. Media Sources
i. What Are Ecosystems? Crash Course Geography #15 - YouTube
1. This source looks at the interactions between natural cycles occurring across the
globe, animal populations, biomes and their biological production, and more. It
provides a comprehensive view of these relationships and their necessity in
regards to one another. It looks at abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem, the
affect of elevation on a region, and more. When considering the rise and fall of
populations in an ecosystem, it is important to grasp the relationships between all
aspects of the ecosystem and the relationship between the ecosystem and the rest
of the globe.
ii. Population Ecology: The Texas Mosquito Mystery - Crash Course Ecology #2 - YouTube
1. Ecosystems are largely impacted by the sizes of animal populations located within
them. But the sizes of populations are impacted by fecundity, dispersion, life
cycle length, and other limiting factors. “CrashCourse” gives a short snapshot of
the factors that impact the population sizes within a community through external
and internal factors influencing a species.
