Interdependence

Interdependence Big Idea 17 SC.4.L.16.2, SC.4.L.16.3, SC.4.L.17.1, SC.4.17.4 Pacing Guide – Quarter 3 Topic 12 01/21-02/06 Keisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist Mary Tweedy, Curriculum Support Specialist Millard Lightburn, District Supervisor Department of Mathematics and Science Office of Academics and Transformation

Grade 4 Fair GameBig Idea 17 Interdependence Benchmarks • SC.4.L.16.2 Explain that although characteristics of plants and animals are inherited, some characteristics can be affected by the environment. (Assessed as SC.5.L.17.1) • SC.4.L.16.3 Recognize that animal behaviors may be shaped by heredity and learning. (Assessed as SC.5.L.17.1) • SC.4.L.17.2 Explain that animals, including humans, cannot make their own food and that when animals eat plants or other animals, the energy stored in the food source is passed on to them. (Assessed as SC.4.L.17.3) • SC.4.L.17.4 Recognize ways plants and animals (invasive species), including humans, can impact the environment. (Assessed as SC.5.L.17.1)

Engage • Hold your thumbs against your palms and then untie and tie their shoes. • If you don’t have laces, write your name on a sheet of paper.

Were these tasks difficult? Thumbs are an adaptation that help us do many things. All animals have body parts and other physical adaptations that help them to survive. We will take a look at the physical adaptations that animals and plants have for survival.

Adaptations 1. Inherited traits 2. Bird adaptations 3. Other mammal adaptations 4. Protection 5. Hide from predators 6. Movement

Instincts 1. Inherited behaviors 2. Migration 3. Hibernation

Learned Behaviors 1. Training & experience 2. Parents teach offspring 3. Offspring teach parents

Interaction of Organisms 1. Competition 2. Sharing resources 3. Helping each other 4. Living side by side 5. Causing harm

Harmful Effects from Humans 1. Polluted water 2. Air pollution 3. Land pollution 4. Ocean pollution

Restoration from Humans 1. reclamation 2. preservation 3. recycling

Invasive Species 1. Impacts 2. Non-native released pets

Investigation Four: Endangered Species “Wanted—Alive”

Lesson Objectives Students will become knowledgeable about the endangered animal and plant species in South Florida. Students will identify ways in which plants and /or animals (including humans) can impact the environment. Students will understand how interaction of organisms in ecosystem can impact the environment. Students will identify animals’ energy sources.

Background Information for Teachers: In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed by the United States Congress to classify plants or animals species that should be considered “endangered” or “threatened”.

What does it mean when a plant or animal is classified as endangered? Plants or animals species are considered endangered if they are in danger of becoming extinct throughout all or most of its range. Extinction is considered a natural process. However, today’s extinction rates of plants and animals are accelerating at a rate that is faster than a natural process.

Factors that are contributing to this include: • loss of habitat • alteration of water flow • drainage of wetlands • introduction of non-native organisms • direct killing (over-harvesting and poisoning)

Everglades’ Problems • No Natural Water Flow • Loss of Habitat • Endangered animals: American alligator, cape sable sparrow, green turtle, panther, southern bald eagle, eastern indigo snake

What are the endangered species found in the Everglades? Animal species that are classified as endangered are:: • Insects: Schauss Swallowtail • Mammals: Florida Panther, West Indian Manatee, Key Largo Wood Rat, Key Largo Cotton Mouse • Birds: Snail (everglades) Kite, Arctic Peregrine Falcon, Cape Sable Sea Side Sparrow, Wood Stork • Reptiles: Kemp’s Ridley Turtle, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, American Crocodile

SC.4.L.17.4 - Clarification Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment. Remarks/Examples: Introduce the impacts of invasive species, such as Brazilian pepper, Cuban anole, Kudzu, Australian pine, non-native pets released into wild (Burmese python). Ocean pollution resulting from discharge of sewage, toxic chemicals, manufacturing wastes, fertilizers, soaps, detergents, runoff and insecticides; population growth causes consumption of limited resources and land use expansion to accommodate for more people; animal extinction (endangered and threatened species).

Why should these species be saved? There are many benefits of naturally functioning ecosystems. • oxygen production • soil generation and maintenance • ground water recharge • water purification • flood protection

Biological diversity benefits humans. Plants and animals provide humans with • food • clothing • energy • medicines • structural materials Some species may play a critical role in an ecosystem, and we may not even know about it. We don’t want to find out when it’s too late.

What is extinction? • Extinction is indeed forever. Once a species becomes extinct, a hole is left in the ecosystem and that species’ role, or niche, is left unoccupied. • The loss of a single species can affect many other plants and animals.

Suggested Procedures: • Assign or have students choose one of the endangered species plant or animal to research and prepare a poster for the class. Make sure that each species will be covered. Each poster should include: • A physical description and picture • Type of habitat required • Predator/Prey relationship (what do they eat/what eats them) • What role does the species fill in its environment (niche)

Discussion Questions • Why should these species be saved? • What are the endangered species found in the Everglades? • Why should these species be saved? • What can students do to help save endangered species?

Technology Integration http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/southflorida/everglades.html http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/everglades/FEeverglades1.html http://www.miamisci.org/ecolinks/everglades/animals.html http://www.everglades.org/habitats/ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/76/

Science Investigations • Investigation Two: Observing Florida’s Ecosystems: Habitat Sweet Habitat • Investigation Four: Endangered Species “Wanted – Alive”

Introduction to Mini-Unit: The Last Egret As you complete this unit of study, keep a page in your journal to keep track of your thoughts and actions. Include the following: • List ways you would protect your home, the South Florida Everglades. • Think of ways you take for granted the plants and animals in your environment. • Think of ways you can spread the word for protection of the Everglades

Investigation Two Observing Florida’s Ecosystems: Habitat Sweet Habitat

Everglades habitats In the Everglades, slight changes in water flow, elevation and other environmental factors result in a variety of unique habitats. Here are a few of the Everglades habitats:

Lesson Objectives • The student will research at least four Everglades/South Florida habitats and be able to identify two animals and one plant that live in each habitat. • The student will recognize how each habitat provides the necessary resources (food, water, shelter, and personal space) so that its plants and animals can survive. • The student will compare and contrast the differences between the habitat types and the different organisms that live in each. SC.4.L.16.2, SC.4.L.16.3, SC.4.L.17.4 Tested in Grade 5: SC.5.L.17.1

Background Information for Teachers: • South Florida/Everglades ecosystem is a collection of habitat types. The random formation of the limestone foundation in the Everglades determines where a certain habitat is found. Therefore pockets and islands of different habitats are scattered throughout. The water level and water availability determine the vegetation of a particular habitat, and this in turn determines the wildlife found there. • For more teacher background information on the specific habitats see the following site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_and_ecology_of_the_Everglades

Suggested Procedures • Review “Habitat Sweet Habitat” • How does this house compare to your home and explain how they are alike? • What is a habitat? • What resources does a habitat need to provide? • food • water • shelter • space

Everglades National Park Video link for each habitat

South Florida/Everglades has many habitats • Hardwood Hammock • Freshwater Slough • Pine Rocklands • Sawgrass/Prairie Marsh • Mangrove Forests • Coastal Lowlands • Freshwater Marl Prairie • Florida Bay

Habitat Focus Sawgrass/Prairie Marsh Freshwater Slough Pine Rocklands Hardwood Hammock

Sawgrass/Prairie Marsh • Wet Habitat • Sawgrass, not grass, but a sedge • Named for tiny sharp saw-like teeth attached to the leaf blade. • Water is about two feet deep in wet season • During dry season small pools of water trap thousands of fish that provide food for birds • Birds: ibis, anhinga, heron, wood stork, • periphyton, a blue-green algae provides a microhabitat for insects, and tiny fish.

Freshwater Slough • Slow moving river • Holds deepest water all year - two to four feet deep • Animal population increases during the Everglades Dry Season (November-May) • Plants: Water lilies, giant reed, pond apple tree • Wading birds: Anhinga, Wood stork, ibis • Fish: gambusia, Florida gar, bass • Reptiles: alligator, turtles • Invertebrates: Apple snails

Pine Rocklands • Driest habitat • Above sea level elevations • Porous oolite limestone bedrock • Slash pine has thick bark, high branches & needle like leaves • Thick bark = microhabitat for beetles, scorpions • Fire is essential for the survival of the pine rocklands • Fire removes competing plants/trees that are shading the new pine seedlings • Fire tolerant plants: cabbage palms, saw palmettos • Animals: scorpions, mice, rabbits, raccoons, panthers, deer, foxes, • Birds: woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds

Hardwood Hammock • Broad- leafed hardwood tree forest • Highest elevated land • Dark, shady, moist habitat • Soft and spongy ground cover from fallen leaves home to many decomposers • Trees: Royal Palm, Gumbo Limbo, Live Oak, Strangler Fig, & Lysiloma or “ tree snail tree” • Animals: Zebra butterfly, tree snails, panthers, raccoons, mice, rabbits, lizards, snakes, song birds Symbiotic relationships • Commensalism: hardwood trees & air plants or epiphytes • Mutualism: lichens - algae & fungus relationship • Sensitive to pollution

POP QUIZ Everglades Habitat Match Up

Discussion Questions • What makes habitats different (i.e. water levels and availability, elevation, types of plants, types of animals, etc.)? • Do some animals depend on more than one habitat? • Are all different habitats necessary? • Why do certain plants and animals need a particular habitat?

Lesson Review • Name at least four habitats found in South Florida/Everglades. • Identify two animals and one plant that live in each habitat. • What resources habitat provides the necessary resources so that its plants and animals can survive? • Name the differences between the habitat types and the different organisms that live in each.

Habitat Foldable Select four Everglades/South Florida habitats. Identify two animals and one plant that live in each habitat. (See sample)

Time to playHABITAT TAG • Directions: • Divide the class into two groups. (Plants vs. Animals) • Line up each group in a single file line. • The first person in each line selects a picture card and places it in the appropriate habitat. (Relay race style) • The first team to finish correctly wins. • Plants vs. Animals

REVIEW

Hardwood Hammocks • Broad- leafed hardwood tree forest • highest elevated land • Dark, shady, moist habitat • Soft and spongy ground cover from fallen leaves home to many decomposers • Trees: Royal Palm, Gumbo Limbo, Live Oak, Strangler Fig, & Lysiloma or “ tree snail tree” • Animals: Zebra butterfly, tree snails, panthers, raccoons, mice, rabbits, lizards, snakes, song birds • Symbiotic relationships: - Commensalism: hardwood trees & air plants or epiphytes - Mutualism: lichens - algae & fungus relationship • Sensitive to pollution

Freshwater Slough Slow moving river Holds deepest water all year - two to four feet deep Animal population increases during the Dry Season Plants: Water lilies, giant reed, pond apple tree Wading birds: Anhinga, Wood stork, ibis Fish: gambusia, Florida gar, bass Reptiles: alligator, turtles Apple snails WOODSTORK

Pine Rocklands • Driest habitat • Above sea level elevations • Porous oolite limestone bedrock • Slash pine has thick bark, high branches & needle like leaves • Thick bark = microhabitat for beetles, scorpions • Fire is essential for the survival of the pinelands • Fire removes competing plants/trees that are shading the new pine seedlings • Fire tolerant plants: cabbage palms, saw palmettos • Animals: scorpions, mice, rabbits, raccoons, panthers, deer, foxes, woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds

Sawgrass Marsh • Wet Habitat • Sawgrass, not grass, but a sedge • Named for tiny sharp saw-like teeth attached to the leaf blade. • Water is about two feet deep in wet season • During dry season small pools of water trap thousands of fish that provide food for birds • birds: ibis, anhinga, heron, wood stork, • periphyton, a blue-green algae provides a microhabitat for insects, and tiny fish

Interdependence