The Earth's environment sustains all life
Skull Island
1. Design and create a map of Skull Island on a grid map.
You need to include these features;
Exploding Mt Iza, Eye Lake, Crack River, Nose Cave, Jaw Beach and Tooth Rock.
Don’t forget to include a;
Title, legend, scale, compass, climate features, vegetation and land forms.
You need to include these features;
Exploding Mt Iza, Eye Lake, Crack River, Nose Cave, Jaw Beach and Tooth Rock.
Don’t forget to include a;
Title, legend, scale, compass, climate features, vegetation and land forms.
Biomes/ Ecosystems
1. Investigate the distribution of tropical rainforests and hot deserts in the world
2. Colour biomes on the world map
3. Look at location and features of countries with these biomes
Information can be found on the class Weebly
4. Answer the questions about the biomes
2. Colour biomes on the world map
3. Look at location and features of countries with these biomes
Information can be found on the class Weebly
4. Answer the questions about the biomes
Ecosystems can be small-scale, covering a small area (such as a pond) or large-scale covering a large area (such as a tropical rainforest).
The world is divided up into ten major ecosystems. These large-scale ecosystems are called biomes.
Biomes are large-scale ecosystems defined by abiotic factors. These are:
The world is divided up into ten major ecosystems. These large-scale ecosystems are called biomes.
Biomes are large-scale ecosystems defined by abiotic factors. These are:
- climate
- relief
- geology
- soils
- vegetation
This map shows where these biomes are found around the world.
Biome characteristics
Biome characteristics
- Tropical forests are found near the equator in Central and South America, parts of Africa and Asia. They are hot and humid and contain a huge variety of plants and animals - around half of all the world's species. The trees are mostly hardwood. The climate is called equatorial.
- Savannah or tropical grasslands are hot and dry, dominated by grass, scruband occasional trees. They have two distinct seasons - a dry season when much of the vegetation dies back, and a rainy season when it grows rapidly. They are found in central Africa (Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania), northern Australia and central South America (Venezuela and Brazil).
- Desert is the driest and hottest of areas. The world's largest desert is the Sahara in North Africa. Areas of scrub land that border the desert are calleddesert scrub.
- Mediterranean climates are not too hot or cold. They are found around the Mediterranean Sea, near Cape Town in South Africa and Melbourne in Australia.
- Temperate grasslands are dominated by grass and trees and large bushes are scarce. They have a temperate continental climate - the weather is mild with moderate rainfall. Grasslands include the Puszta in Hungary, the Veldt in South Africa, the Pampas in Argentina and the Prairies in the USA.
- Temperate deciduous forests contain trees that lose their leaves and are found across Europe and USA. The weather is mild and wet. The climate is called temperate maritime.
- Coniferous forests, containing evergreen trees, are found in Scandinavia, Russia and Canada. They have a cool climate with moderate rainfall called cool temperate.
- Mountain areas can be very cold at night and during winter. The growing season is short and at higher levels trees will not grow.
- Tundra surrounds the North and South poles. They have an extremely cold climate, with limited numbers of plants and animals able to survive there.
Tropical Rainforest
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/tropical_rainforests_rev1.shtml
Savannah Grassland
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/savannah_grassland_rev1.shtml
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Coniferous Woodlandhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/coniferous_woodland_rev1.shtml
Deserthttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/desert_rev1.shtml
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Deciduous Woodland
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/deciduous_woodlands_rev1.shtml
Tundrahttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/tundra_rev1.shtml
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Rain forests and deserts of the world
RainforestsMorgan states a rainforest is a dense, luxuriant forest community with a layered, closed canopy. In Australia we have three main rainforest types:
Tropical rainforest Subtropical rainforest Temperate rainforest Tropical rainforests are found north of Townsville where rain falls all year round. Growth is luxuriant, with large-leaved woody plants forming dense, layers, and the uppermost layer creating a canopy which filters the sun's rays. Subtropical rainforests occur from Mackay to just south of Sydney. These forests are similar to those of the tropics, but the plants tend to have smaller leaves and grow less densely on the forest floor. Temperate rainforests are found in eastern and southern Victoria, the climate is coller and few tree species are present. |
Deserts A desert climate is a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely
spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all: The Sahara is a vast sandy desert. |
GrasslandsGrassland is a large, open continuous piece of land with lots of grass. The roots of the grasses and small plants make the soil rich and good for farming. Two types of grasslands are:
Tropical grasslands are those closest to the equator. They are hot all year long. Temperate grasslands are those further from the equator, with hot summers and harsh winters. (Sydneham, S.& Thomas, R. Grasslands Biome www.kidyber.com.au) |
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Types of Forests from Mocomi
The Lorax
1. Read the story of The Lorax (Dr Seuss)
2. You can also watch it on the class Weebly
3. Write a letter to the Once-Ler about your concerns about his plan to produce thneeds.
In your letter, please include the effect the thneeds would have on the environment
2. You can also watch it on the class Weebly
3. Write a letter to the Once-Ler about your concerns about his plan to produce thneeds.
In your letter, please include the effect the thneeds would have on the environment
Waste Management
1. Collect data on your personal waste disposal for a week
2. Construct a graph to represent these findings
3. Complete a PMI chart on the principals of the 4RC
4. Communicate what you have learnt about the 4RC
2. Construct a graph to represent these findings
3. Complete a PMI chart on the principals of the 4RC
4. Communicate what you have learnt about the 4RC
4RC
Disposable plastics are the greatest source of plastic pollution. Follow the “4 Rs” of sustainable living: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. REFUSE disposable plastics today!
1. Refuse
Say NO to disposable plastics!
2. Reduce
Reduce your plastic footprint: buy in bulk, choose products with the least packaging, look for products and packaging made from renewable resources, and avoid plastic packaging and containers. Choose products that have the least amount of disposable parts.
3. Reuse
Reuse preferably nontoxic (glass, stainless steel) containers and goods to make less waste.
4. Recycle
Recycle what you can’t refuse, reduce or reuse. Recycling is a last option because it uses energy, and there may not be a market for the re fabricated materials.
5. Compost
Create a compost bin at home with your family or at your school. Compost items you know will decompose to create a healthy fertilizer for your garden.
1. Refuse
Say NO to disposable plastics!
2. Reduce
Reduce your plastic footprint: buy in bulk, choose products with the least packaging, look for products and packaging made from renewable resources, and avoid plastic packaging and containers. Choose products that have the least amount of disposable parts.
3. Reuse
Reuse preferably nontoxic (glass, stainless steel) containers and goods to make less waste.
4. Recycle
Recycle what you can’t refuse, reduce or reuse. Recycling is a last option because it uses energy, and there may not be a market for the re fabricated materials.
5. Compost
Create a compost bin at home with your family or at your school. Compost items you know will decompose to create a healthy fertilizer for your garden.
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Fact Sheets
In 2006-2007, Australians generated almost 48 million tonnes of waste. Of that, only 52% was recycled!By improving our knowledge of what can be recycled, how valuable resources are recovered and returned back into the circular economy and making changing to our purchasing decisions, we can all contribute to a more positive environmental future.
Take a look at our FACT sheets on recycling of everyday items, or visit our Recycling Tips page, for information how to improve your recycling practices at home and at work.
Steel and Aluminium
In 2010, Australians recycled only 30.3% of their steel cans and 67.4% of aluminium cans. Many steel cans are still being sent to landfill, despite 93% of Australians having access to kerbside recycling services that accept steel packaging.
Take a look at our FACT sheets on recycling of everyday items, or visit our Recycling Tips page, for information how to improve your recycling practices at home and at work.
Steel and Aluminium
In 2010, Australians recycled only 30.3% of their steel cans and 67.4% of aluminium cans. Many steel cans are still being sent to landfill, despite 93% of Australians having access to kerbside recycling services that accept steel packaging.
steel_aluminium.pdf | |
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Paper and Cardboard
Australian households and businesses use millions of tonnes of paper every year. Over 5.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard was used from 2006-2007, with 2.5 million tonnes of this recycled.
Australian households and businesses use millions of tonnes of paper every year. Over 5.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard was used from 2006-2007, with 2.5 million tonnes of this recycled.
paper_cardboard.pdf | |
File Size: | 1251 kb |
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Plastic
In Australia, 376,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is used every year. In 2010 we recycled 288,194 tonnes.
In Australia, 376,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is used every year. In 2010 we recycled 288,194 tonnes.
Glass
Glass was discovered by the phoenicians more than 5,000 years ago, which makes it one of the worlds oldest forms of packaging.
Glass was discovered by the phoenicians more than 5,000 years ago, which makes it one of the worlds oldest forms of packaging.
Organics
Organic waste includes any animal or plant based material and degradable carbon such as garden organics, food, timber, paper and cardboard. When sent to landfill the organic material undergoes anaerobic decomposition, generating a potent greenhouse gas, methane.
Organic waste includes any animal or plant based material and degradable carbon such as garden organics, food, timber, paper and cardboard. When sent to landfill the organic material undergoes anaerobic decomposition, generating a potent greenhouse gas, methane.
Fluorescent Tubes, Lamps & Globes
Australians dispose of approximately 50 to 60 million fluorescent tubes and HID (high indensity discharge) lamps every year, resulting in large amounts of mercury being sent to our landfills.
Australians dispose of approximately 50 to 60 million fluorescent tubes and HID (high indensity discharge) lamps every year, resulting in large amounts of mercury being sent to our landfills.
E-waste
Electronic waste can contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and brominated fire retardants that are hazardous, difficult to dispose of and potentially damaging to the environment.
Electronic waste can contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and brominated fire retardants that are hazardous, difficult to dispose of and potentially damaging to the environment.
Batteries
In Australia, about 350 million batteries are purchased every year. Over two thirds of batteries being disposed of are sent to landfill making them the most common form of hazardous waste.
In Australia, about 350 million batteries are purchased every year. Over two thirds of batteries being disposed of are sent to landfill making them the most common form of hazardous waste.
Recycling Tips
Globally, the focus on recycling has never been greater. As this focus on resource recovery has increased, it has become increasingly apparent that
producers and consumers of disposable products need to take responsibility for the things that we don't want or need any more.
For many years we have known that disposing of waste to landfill will not be sustainable in the long-term and, as a society, we must be looking at ways to better manage how we deal with waste.
As part of the global community our ultimate aim should be to minimise waste to landfill by preventing the creation of waste and recovering reusable resources by recycling waste into a usable commodity.
Improving recycling in Australia will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but reduce the dependence we have on non renewable resources.
See our tips on making a difference in your own environment today.
Use less water
producers and consumers of disposable products need to take responsibility for the things that we don't want or need any more.
For many years we have known that disposing of waste to landfill will not be sustainable in the long-term and, as a society, we must be looking at ways to better manage how we deal with waste.
As part of the global community our ultimate aim should be to minimise waste to landfill by preventing the creation of waste and recovering reusable resources by recycling waste into a usable commodity.
Improving recycling in Australia will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but reduce the dependence we have on non renewable resources.
See our tips on making a difference in your own environment today.
Use less water
- Install a rainwater tank
- Fill up the dishwasher and washing machine before putting it on
- Install water saving devices such as AAA-rated shower heads and dual flush toilets
- Use diversion devices for capturing and reusing grey water
- Turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth
- Switch to green energy
- When not in use, turn off your computer at the wall
- Turn off the lights when you aren’t in a room
- Choose rechargeable batteries over disposable batteries
- Hang out your washing instead of using the dryer
- Catch public transport, walk to work or car pool
- Invest in a fuel efficient vehicle
- Lower the temperate of your hot-water washing cycle
- Check your carbon footprint
- Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!
- Invest in a worm farm
- Use compost in your garden to assist plant growth and improve soil condition
- Grow your own vegetables
- Choose native plants for your garden
- Make use of your council’s green organic waste collection service
- Replace standard office photocopy paper with a recycled version
- Always double-side when printing and only print out necessary documents
- Avoid buying products with unnecessary or excessive packaging
- Stick a “No Junk Mail” sticker on your mailbox
- Recycle your gift cards through the Cards 4 Planet Ark recycling program