Category: HSus 1: Human Activity (HS)

Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

HSus 1: Forecasting Disasters (MS), HSus 1: Human Activity (HS), HSus 2: Managing Resources (HS), HSus 3: Human/Ecosystem Interactions (HS), Human Sustainability, Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, IR 1: Ecosystem Interactions (MS), S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 4: Stimuli Response (MS), S&P 1: Atoms & Molecules (MS), S&P 4: Molecule Traits (HS), Structure & Properties of Matter, Structure and Function

Rotifers Paralyzing Schistosomes

GwynneL.

A rotifer-derived paralytic compound prevents transmission of schistosomiasis to a mammalian host SUMMARY: Researchers discovered that a new molecule produced by the rotifer, Rotaria rotatoria, paralyzes cercariae. Cercariae are the free-living/infectious stage of the flatworm Schistosoma, the cause of schistosomiasis. R. rotatoria live on the shell of freshwater snails and secrete a compound scientists have… Continue reading Rotifers Paralyzing Schistosomes

HSus 1: Human Activity (HS), HSus 3: Human/Ecosystem Interactions (HS), HSus 4: Evaluating Solutions (HS), HSus 5: Showing Human Impact (HS), Human Sustainability, Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, IR 1: Ecosystem Interactions (MS), IR 2: Affecting Biodiversity (HS), IR 2: Preserving Biodiversity (MS), IR 6: Human Impact Solutions (HS), Life Science

Conservation of biodiversity to improve human well-being

GwynneL.

Conservation of biodiversity as a strategy for improving human health and well-being SUMMARY: This article looks at whether or not increasing biodiversity in an ecosystem can decrease the prevalence of diseases. While the idea seems simple (more hosts for the disease, less incidences of the disease spreading to people), the issue is much more complicated.… Continue reading Conservation of biodiversity to improve human well-being

Earth Science, HSus 1: Human Activity (HS), HSus 5: Showing Human Impact (HS), Human Sustainability

Plastics: Issues Challenges and Remediation

GwynneL.

Plastics: Issues Challenges and Remediation (NOT OPEN ACCESS) SUMMARY: A short and concise article summing up all the issues with plastic use and some solutions that can be applied and/or are currently being investigated. LESSON COMMENTS: Great for an environmental science class talking about pollution and solutions to current environmental issues. This article does a… Continue reading Plastics: Issues Challenges and Remediation

Earth Science, HSus 1: Human Activity (HS), HSus 2: Monitoring Human Impact (MS), HSus 3: Arguing Sustainability (MS), HSus 3: Human/Ecosystem Interactions (HS), HSus 4: Evaluating Solutions (HS), HSus 5: Showing Human Impact (HS), Human Sustainability, Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, IR 2: Affecting Biodiversity (HS), IR 3: Ecosystem Stability (HS), IR 4: Reducing Human Impact (HS), IR 6: Human Impact Solutions (HS), Life Science, M&E 1: Photosynthesis (HS)

Protozoa in Wastewater Treatment Processes

GwynneL.

Protozoa in wastewater treatment processes: A minireview SUMMARY: This is a short review of the role protozoa play in wastewater treatment plants. Most of the protozoa are ciliates and they graze on bacteria, excrete nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon waste, and are used as indicators of water quality. Toxins such as heavy metals, salts, and other… Continue reading Protozoa in Wastewater Treatment Processes

Earth Science, Earth's System, ES 1: Geochemical Cycles (HS), ES 2: Hydrological Cycle (MS), ES 3: Hydrological Cycle (HS), HSus 1: Human Activity (HS), HSus 2: Monitoring Human Impact (MS), HSus 3: Human/Ecosystem Interactions (HS), HSus 5: Showing Human Impact (HS), Human Sustainability

Investigating Microplastics on Land

GwynneL.

Microplastics as an emerging threat to terrestrial ecosystems (NOT OPEN ACCESS) SUMMARY: Though there has been a lot of research on microplastics in aquatic environments, there aren’t studies looking into the effects of microplastics on land. Researchers in this article suspect that there may be more microplastics on land than in the oceans; organisms that… Continue reading Investigating Microplastics on Land

HSus 1: Human Activity (HS), HSus 2: Monitoring Human Impact (MS), HSus 3: Arguing Sustainability (MS), HSus 3: Human/Ecosystem Interactions (HS), HSus 4: Evaluating Solutions (HS), Human Sustainability

Review: Microplastics in Canadian Aquatic Ecosystems

GwynneL.

Microplastics in aquatic environments: Implications for Canadian ecosystems SUMMARY: This article reviews currently research studies on microplastics. It talks about the sources of microplastics, the amount in aquatic systems, the effects on organisms, and finally the gaps in research. LESSON COMMENTS: While you can certainly read this article in its entirety, I would focus on… Continue reading Review: Microplastics in Canadian Aquatic Ecosystems