Peace River Valley
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Transcript of Peace River Valley
Peace River Valley
Science 10Ecosystem processes and
relationships
By the end of this seminar and related readings, you should be able to :◦ Locate the Peace River area’s biome and ecozone.◦ Understand food relationships, nutrient cycles and
bioaccumulation processes.◦ Recognize some plants, animals, fish, birds,
amphibians, and reptiles that inhabit the Peace River Valley.
◦ Explore relationships between living elements of the Peace River Valley.
◦ Demonstrate comprehension of processes with applied examples from the Peace River Valley.
◦ Propose a bioaccumulation scenario using knowledge of cycles and local species.
Learning Outcomes
Biomes& Ecozones
Where are we?
About the Peace River Valley
In our backyard
Breaks, islands and plateaux
Home to many people
Agriculture and recreation
Living Things
Living ThingsTry to identify all the plants, animals, birds, fish,amphibians and reptiles on your cards.
All of these species are found in the Peace River Valley.
Write the correct species names on the cards.
Abiotic and BioticTheory
Biotic: relating to living thingsWhat can you see in this picture?
Biotic: relating to living thingsWhat can you see in this picture?
Abiotic: non-living chemical and physical factors What can you see in this picture?
Abiotic: non-living chemical and physical factors What can you see in this picture?
Food FlowNutrient Cycle
Theory
Predator / Prey Relationship
Food Chain
Food Pyramid
Food Web
Nutrient cycle
Food FlowNutrient Cycle
Practice! On your handoutsFood ChainFood PyramidFood WebNutrient Cycle
BioaccumulationTheory
refers to the gradual buildup of chemicals in living organisms.◦ Many harmful chemicals
cannot be decomposed naturally.
◦ These chemicals can be eaten or absorbed and sometimes cannot be removed from the body of the organism effectively.
Bioaccumulation
is the process by which chemicals become more concentrated at each trophic level.◦ At each level of the food pyramid, chemicals that
do not get broken down build up in organisms.◦ When a consumer in the next
trophic level eats organisms with a chemical accumulation, it receives a huge dose of the chemical(s).
Biomagnification
Enters ecosystems through the burning of fossil fuels, waste incineration, mining, and manufacturing (ie: batteries)
Mercury bioaccumulates in the brain, heart and kidneys of many animals and fish.
Elevated mercury levels in fish tissue is a common side-effect of flooding to create hydroelectric dam reservoirs. (Stokes & Wren, 1987)
Example: Mercury
BioaccumulationPractice! On your handoutsWhich species would be effected by increased mercury levelsin the Peace River, due to an additional hydroelectric dam?
What biotic elements would be affected by increased mercury levels in the Peace river?
What trophic levels would be most impacted by mercury contamination of the Peace River?
What are the possible impacts of your scenario, on the natural ecosystem, and on humans that interact with it?
Discussion points
If you were interested in our topics today, you can learn more by reading
Bioaccumulation of Mercury by Aquatic Biota in Hydroelectric Reservoirs
The Living Peace River Valley
Both are found on www.itsourvalley.ca
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