Ecology

Specific Instructional Objectives: **At the end of this module, you should be able to 1. Explain the terms producer, consumer and trophic level in the context of food chains and food webs. 2. Describe and interpret pyramids of numbers and biomass. 3. Evaluate the effects of water pollution by sewage and other inorganic waste. 4. Discuss reasons for conservation of species with reference to the maintenance of biodiversity and management of fisheries.
 * Blended Learning Module: Ecology



**Case Study: Exploring Chek Jawa ** Tanjong Chek Jawa is located on the eastern coast of Pulau Ubin. In this unique area you can find a coastal forest community, an extensive seagrass community, a mangrove community and a rocky shore community. There is no equivalent area left in the main land as these habitats have been encroached upon by urban development; to have all these different ecosystems occurring in a single location is exceedingly rare!

**Explore the resources below and complete the compulsory for assessment.**

1.Take a virtual tour of Chek Jawa:

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2.The organisms in the different habitats of Chek Jawa are linked by predator- prey relationships that enable the transfer of energy. These are usually illustrated in the forms of food webs and ecological pyramids. [] []

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3. Many of the organisms found in are Chek Jawa are rare or threatened species. 

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4. Before its adoption by NParks, Chek Jawa was a fishing village. Done on subsistence level, fishing does not harm the environment. However, large-scale commercial fishing fleets deplete marine resources. Find out about problems of overfishing:



5. In 2001, plans to reclaimed Chek Jawa were deferred following intense public pressure. Read about the experiences of the organizers in working with different stake holders:

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__ **Deadline for submission: Term 2 Week 10 Friday.**
 * COMPULSORY TASK : Problem-Based Learning** __


 * Overview of task ** : To identify and examine threats to the local marine environment, and to propose measures to overcome these.

You will work in //__pairs__// to report on some of the current threats to the marine environment around Singapore’s Sothern islands. You will then propose some recommendations to alleviate the current situtation. The following are steps to guide you:

1) Study a map of the southern islands of Singapore. [] A detailed map is also available at the library. Note the use of coastal areas on these islands (eg. recreation/ tourism/ petrochemical industries etc). Identify sources of pollution from these activities 2) Do a simplified environmental impact assessment by evaluating how the activities and sources of pollution you have identified might affect a. individual organisms b. food chains & food webs c. the entire community structure

3) Suggests measures that can be put in place to help reduce the adverse effects of these activities. 4) Present your evaluations and recommendations in the form of an **A1 size poster (softcopy)**. Your research must be from reliable sources. You are expected to obtain information from a variety of electronic and printed material. 5) You will have to use a wiki to discuss, share and collaborate with your partner to do up the poster. // **Grades will be awarded for the appropriate use of the online wiki.** Please follow the instructions below to set up your team's page on this wiki and use it to collaborate with your partner://


 * Click the "New Page" function on the top left corner of this page to add the page for your team.
 * Name your page using your names as listed on your classlist e.g. Jiaming & Dennis Woo
 * Use the "discussion" function on your team's page to carry out your communications with your partner.
 * You may upload and attach your files onto your team's page for each other's reference as you collaborate.
 * Upload and attach your finished product on your team's page for assessment



Pollution:
 * Selected Resources: **

[] [|http://www.uoguelph.ca/GTI/urbanpst/bioaccum.htm]

Environmental impact assessment resources: [] []

** __Optional ACE TASKS: You may attempt these optional tasks when you have completed the compulsory one above.__ **