Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Habitats: Human's Influence on the Land
Students will investigate two different habitats; one habitat is maintained in its original natural state while the other habitat is a manicured golf course. Students will identify and compare the diversity of plants and insects in those...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Botany: Mangrove Ecology
Extensive article on mangroves. Covers classification, physical characteristics, life cycle, habitat, economic value, and natural and human threats to their survival.
W. W. Norton
W. W. Norton & Company: How Humans Evolved
This provides access to a webbook about How Humans Evolved. The following topics are covered: (1) How Evolution Works, (2) Primate Behavior and Ecology, (3) The History of Human Lineage, and (4) Evolution and Modern Humans. Each chapter...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: What Killed Tweety? An Ecological Exploration of West Nile Virus
Students do research to learn about West Nile Virus, the birds that carry it, how it spreads, where it can be found in North America, and how it affects humans. The activity is set up as a WebQuest where students navigate to assigned...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Ap Biology: Ecology
Students review the study of living things and make connections back to Earth's systems. This unit focuses on how various species, grouped in populations and communities, work with the nonliving things around them to ensure survival.
Other
Ecology
Humans are having a negative effect on the ecology of Antarctica. Get the facts on krill harvesting, global warming, and ozone depletion.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Human Activity
A webpage discussing how human activity has impacted soil, populations, water composition, and temperature. Website includes an audio tour of the material. [1:53]
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: The American Civil War: An Environmental View
The telling of the Civil War from an ecological view from the National Humanities Center. The toll of life taken of young men and animals, the devastation of cities, towns, farmland, trees, and forests - all these factors are discussed...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 10.10 Amphibian Evolution and Ecology
Explore the evolution and ecology of amphibians.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to the Human Dimensions of Global Change
Learning module introduces students to the human dimensions of global environmental change: human actions that initiate changes in the structure and operation of the biosphere; the consequences of these actions on terrestrial ecology;...
Other
Itc: Ecological Evaluation for Environmental Impact Assessment [Pdf]
Find out how environmental degradation and the depletion of natural resources induced by human activities have attracted steadily growing concerns in the last decades.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Roads, Highways, and Ecosystems
An interesting look from the National Humanities Center at the progression of roads in America. Author looks at the ecological impact of the road system.
Other
Lehigh University: Land Use Change
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school students centered on how human activities affect environmental changes related to land use. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about today's land use and how...
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Resources and the Environment: Humans Design Their Homes
After hearing and discussing the story of The Three Little Pigs, students work in groups to construct houses using craft sticks. They then decide how well their house would serve as a living space and in what climatic conditions it would...
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: How Much Water Do Humans Need?
In this lesson students learn how much water is used and lost during a variety of common daily activities. Student sheets are provided in English and in Spanish.
Other
Institute of Ecotechnics: Bio Sphere 2
Learn about the Biosphere 2 project and the history of Biospherics.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology: Microbe Zoo: Poo Corner
A light-hearted and informative section about the role of microorganisms in decomposing human waste. It has a colorful, clickable graphic aiding in navigation of the site. Fun and informative.
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Ecology: Lichen
Article describing the different categories of lichens, their physical features, how they reproduce, their evolution, and important benefits lichens provide to humans. (Published: July 19, 2010)
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Folktales and Ecology: Animals & Humans in Cooperation,conflict
In this lesson plan, learners will consider Folktales and Ecology: Animals and Humans in Cooperation and Conflict. Worksheets and other supporting materials can be found under the Resources tab.
Better Planet Productions
Earth Care: Reduce Your Ecological Footprint Poster Project
An assignment for students to create a poster that encourages people to reduce their ecological footprints. While it says it's for intermediate grades and up, this activity could easily be done with junior grades as well. There are links...
Untamed Science
Untamed Science: Competition
This well-written article explains what competition in an ecosystem is and the different ways it can manifest itself. It also looks at how organisms avoid competition, some disadvantages and outcomes of competition, the impact of a...
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Resources and the Environment: Is It Natural or Transformed?
For this activity, students learn about natural resources. They sort materials into two categories, whether it is natural or if it has been changed by humans.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Issues in Environment
This site from American Institute of Biological Sciences provides a collection of articles on current issues in environmental science and human impacts on the environment. Several articles available in Spanish.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 9.18 Importance of Insects
Understand the ecological importance of insects, and why they are important to humans.