Find a
Resource
Select grade level(s) Select resource type(s) Select collection(s) Select standard(s) Skip navigation Digital Library for Earth System Education
Digital Library for Earth System Education
Home
New to DLESE?
Search tips
Educational resources > Find a resource > Resource description
Limiting Factors in Ecosystems DLESE Reviewed Collection
http://www.globe.gov/tctg/earth_la_seaphen_p7.pdf?sectionId=267
From Digital Water Ed Library (DWEL)
Comment on this resource
This unit, designed to span two class periods, helps students understand that physical factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, limit the growth of plant ecosystems. The activity begins with a discussion in which students develop their own ideas about the role of temperature, precipitation, and environment on plant growth. They will then examine X-Y graphs of vegetation growth, temperature, and precipitation versus month for four diverse ecosystems to determine which climatic factor is limiting growth. A worksheet and scoring rubric are provided.
Intended for grade levels:
  • Middle (6-8)
  • High (9-12)
Type of resource:
  • For the classroom:
    • Classroom activity
    • Module / Unit
Subject:
  • Agricultural science
  • Biology
  • Climatology
  • Environmental science
Technical requirements:
Adobe Acrobat reader
Cost / Copyright:
No cost
Copyright 2003, Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE).
DLESE Catalog ID: DWEL-000-000-000-490
Educational standards:
  • National Science Education Standards (NSES):
    • 5-8:
      • Unifying concepts and processes:
        • Change, constancy, and measurement
        • Evidence, models, and explanation
      • A - Science as inquiry:
        • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
      • D - Earth and space science:
        • Structure of the earth system
    • 9-12:
      • Unifying concepts and processes:
        • Change, constancy, and measurement
        • Evidence, models, and explanation
        • Systems, order, and organization
      • A - Science as inquiry:
        • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
      • C - Life science:
        • Interdependence of organisms
      • D - Earth and space science:
        • Energy in the earth system
  • National Geography Standards:
    • Places and regions:
      • The physical and human characteristics of places
    • The uses of geography:
      • How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future
    • The world in spatial terms:
      • How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information
Resource contact / Creator / Publisher:
Publisher: Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)
http://www.globe.gov/globe_flash.html