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This lesson will increase your knowledge of concepts covered in the following TEKS for biology:. 12.a – Analyze the flow of energy through various cycles including the carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and water cycles.
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This lesson will increase your knowledge of concepts covered in the following TEKS for biology: 12.a – Analyze the flow of energy through various cycles including the carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and water cycles. 12.c – Compare variations, tolerances, and adaptations of plants and animals in different biomes 12.d – Identify and illustrate that long-term survival of species is dependent on a resource based that may be limited.
QUESTION: What happened in Ireland when an agricultural crop failed and what are the implications about our dependence on pesticides?
Ireland suffered a famine because their crops were genetically uniform and they lacked pesticide technologyToday, farmers rely on pesticides to protect their crops Based on: Population Reports, May 1992
QUESTION: Some people question the need for environmental legislation. Using the bald eagle, make a case that environmental legislation can help preserve natural ecosystems.
Once the eagle was protected by the Endangered Species Act and DDT was banned, eagle populations increased rapidly. The bald eagle is now listed as threatened. From: Time, July 11, 1994
QUESTION: What practices can’t be used in the production of certified organic foods?
Organic Foods Certified organic foods cannot be produced with hormones, antibiotics, herbicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers, genetic modification or germ-killing radiation From: Newsweek, September 30, 2002
Overview of Lesson • Humans and freshwater • Global water cycle • Biomes • Water availability in Texas • The future
The quality of human life is directly proportional to the amount of available freshwater per person
Humans are 55-60% water and can only live days without fresh water. Why is there so much water in the human body?
Circulatory System Based on: Mader, S., Inquiry into Life, McGraw-Hill
Urinary System Based on: Mader, S., Inquiry into Life, McGraw-Hill
Many of the agricultural systems that feed humans are dependent on irrigation with freshwater. Why do plants need water? Photo courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation
All agricultural systems are based on plants converting the energy of the sun to the energy of sugar through the process of photosynthesis energy of the sun + carbon dioxide + water energy of sugar + oxygen
Overview of Lesson • Humans and freshwater • Global water cycle • Biomes • Water supply in Texas • The future
Less than 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater • The rest is too salty for human consumption or agriculture
Water Cycle Based on: Goodenough, et al., Human Biology, Saunders College Data from Jackson, et al., Ecological Applications, vol. 11, 2001
Overview of Lesson • Humans and freshwater • Global water cycle • Precipitation and biomes in U.S. • Water supply in Texas • The future
Biome Distribution Based on: Mader, S., Inquiry into Life, McGraw-Hill
Air movement patterns across U.S. Pacific Moisture Based on: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, November 1981
Mountains and Rain Shadows Condensation occurs when air cools as it rises over mountains, resulting in precipitation on the western side of the mountain. As the air moves down from mountains, evaporation tends to occur.
Major Biomes of the U.S. Based on: Mader, S., Inquiry into Life, Wm. C. Brown, Publishers
Photo courtesy of G. Kroh Pacific Coast
Photo courtesy of G. Kroh Photo courtesy of G. Kroh California Redwoods
Photo courtesy of G. Kroh Great Basin Desert in the Rain Shadow of the Sierras
Photo courtesy of G. Kroh Meadow in the Rocky Mountains
Photo courtesy of G. Kroh High Plains of Texas Panhandle
Photo courtesy of G. Kroh Deciduous Forest of East Texas
Overview of Lesson • Humans and freshwater • Global water cycle • Biomes • Water supply in Texas • The future
Typical paths of movement of the various cold and warm air masses that invade Texas Based on: Texas Weather
Average annual precipitation (inches) Based on: Texas Weather
Most of the surface water is in the eastern side of Texas From: Texas Parks & Wildlife, July 2002
Texas rivers are one the State’s most important natural resources Photo courtesy of R. Drenner Brazos River near Mineral Wells
Texas rivers are now impounded by more than 200 major dams. All lakes but one (Caddo Lake) are formed by dams. Photo courtesy of R. Drenner Possum Kingdom Lake on Brazos River
Water Treatment Process, Fort Worth From City of Fort Worth 1. Reservoirs provide water 2. Raw water pump station pumps water to treatment plant 3. Flash mix of chemicals to clump particles and increase settling plus charcoal to absorb taste and odor from bluegreen algae 4. Coagulation basin where particles clump 5. Sedimentation basin where particles settle to bottom 6. Filters consisting of 4 ft of coal, sand and gravel 7. Disinfection using chlorine (ozone used in future) 8. Clearwell storage before water is pumped to the public 9. Distribution through 2,400 mile of pipelines to homes and businesses
Overview of Lesson • Humans and freshwater • Global water cycle • Biomes • Water supply in Texas • The future
Water Fights Based on: U.S. News & World Report, May 19, 2003
The population of Texas will double in the next 50 years Based on: Texas Parks & Wildlife, July 2002
The Future? • Only eight more major dams will • be built in the next 50 years • Almost 900 Texas cities will not • have enough water from current • sources to meet their needs in • 2050
Texas cities are requiring water conservation measures such as low-volume toilets while promoting volunteer xeriscaping
Xeriscapingis a method of landscaping that uses plants that are well adapted to the local area and are drought-resistant
Water reuse is “reusing” treated wastewater for other purposes
Water Supply System for Fort Worth Village Creek Sewage Treatment Plant Trinity River Wetland
Decline in Wetland Acreage From Scientific American, June 1998
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