=== Big Ideas ===
=== Essential Questions ===
  * When investigating different systems (e.g., agriculture, terrestrial, aquatic), how does a habitat meet the needs of a species?
  * How do changes within living and non-living components of aquatic, terrestrial and human systems affect the balance within and between them?
  * How is the survival of species and their ability to adapt affected by natural and human induced environmental changes?
  * How does the quality of the environment affect the health of all living things within it?
  * How do humans influence the environment?

^  Key Concepts  ^  Key Skills/Competencies  ^  Standards/Eligible Content  ^
| Air, soil, water, and indoor pollution affect human health in a variety of ways. | |
| Wetlands play an important part in pollution control, water quality and human health issues. | |
| The misuse of natural resources can negatively affect the sustainability of society. | |
| There are costs and benefits associated with cleaning up contaminants. | |
| Diverse biomes exist in Pennsylvania. | |
| The biotic and abiotic components within an ecosystem interact. | |
| Organisms have specific roles in ecosystems. | |
| Specific habitat management practices influence the success or failure of species. | |
| Scientists use specific criteria to categorize organisms as threatened, endangered or extinct. | |
| Scientists use a variety of physical, chemical and biological parameters to determine water quality. | |
| Land use within a particular watershed will influence water quality. | |
| A wide variety of wetland types exist within Pennsylvania. | |
| Wetlands serve a number of beneficial functions for humans, plants, animals, and the environment as a whole. | |
| Watershed boundaries can include a variety of habitats, ecosystems, and human influences. | |
| Biotic and abiotic components within a habitat change, or differ, based on their location and topography. | |
| Natural and human events can affect aquatic, terrestrial, and wetland environments in a variety of ways. | |
| Organisms within an ecosystem interact with other biotic components, abiotic components and within populations. | |
| Abiotic components are critically important for maintaining an ecosystem’s homeostasis. | |
| Limiting factors affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem. | |
| Ecosystems and their components change over time. | |
| A variety of cycles exist within an ecosystem and each helps maintain balance within the ecosystem. | |
| Every living organism is uniquely suited to fulfill a role within its ecosystem. | |
| Biological diversity directly impacts the stability of an ecosystem. | |
| Species must be able to adapt to changes within their ecosystem in order to survive. | |
| The degree of specialization of a species can cause it to become threatened, endangered, or extinct. | |
| Animal species can be classified as generalists or specialists in their eating habits. | |
| Habitat destruction can lead to species loss or termination. | |
| The intervention of humans has influenced the survival of species through management practices. | |
| Human endeavors and changes in natural cycles have caused species to become threatened, endangered, or extinct. | |
| Environmental laws and regulations have been implemented in an attempt to protect species diversity. | |
| Human health is affected by pollution. | |
| Pollution sources can be categorized as either point or non-point. | |
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==Essential Vocabulary==
  * word
  * word
==Common / Required Lab Activities==
  * activity
==Optional Activities==
  * activity
==Common / Required Assessments==
  * assessment