Standard #: SC.912.L.17.7


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Characterize the biotic and abiotic components that define freshwater systems, marine systems and terrestrial systems.


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 912
Body of Knowledge: Life Science
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Standard: Interdependence -

A. The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment.

B. Energy and nutrients move within and between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems via physical, chemical and biological processes.

C. Human activities and natural events can have profound effects on populations, biodiversity and ecosystem processes.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
2000330: Biology 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2000370: Botany (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2000380: Ecology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001340: Environmental Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2000390: Limnology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
2002500: Marine Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002510: Marine Science 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002520: Marine Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002530: Marine Science 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2000410: Zoology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001341: Environmental Science Honors (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))


Related Resources

Educational Software / Tool

Name Description
What Is It Like Where You Live? This site offers an abundance of information on Earth's biomes (rainforest, tundra, taiga, desert, temperate, and grasslands), as well as marine and freshwater ecosystems. The site features relevant facts, pictures, maps, indigenous plants and animals, additional links, and much more.

This resource is a wonderful reference, not a lesson plan. Teachers will need to provide an objective and structure for student interaction with the website.

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Lesson 1: Exploring an Estuary

This lesson covers:
• How environments can change from natural and human causes. • An introduction to estuaries.
• Human, ecological, and economic importance of an estuary.
• Specific features of the Indian River Lagoon and its importance. • How scientists study estuaries.
• How researchers monitor water quality.
• How to access, use, and interpret real-time water quality data.

Lesson 5: Harmful Algal Blooms

 This lesson covers:

•What harmful algal blooms are

•How harmful algal blooms occur

•Different types of harmful algal blooms and where they occur in Florida

Gr 9-12 Adaptations in Everglades Ecosystems, Lesson 1: Living on the Edge

Students will be able to distinguish among the types of mangroves common to Florida and understand their zonation within the coastal community. They will also be able to describe how mangroves, as an essential biotic component, help stabilize the coastline and protect it from erosion and storm surges. Lastly, students will provide argumentation supported by evidence for the protection of mangroves. 

Gr 9-10 Adaptations in Everglades Ecosystems, Lesson 2: Design A Perfect Beast

Students will be able to identify abiotic and biotic factors of an assigned Everglades ecosystem, discuss how these factors influence adaptations, and identify structural and behavioral adaptations that help organisms survive in their ecosystem. 

Gr 9-12 Adaptations in Everglades Ecosystems, Lesson 3: Crossing Lines

Students will be able to explain the concepts of ecotone and edge effect and describe how the edge effect relates to biological diversity in a watershed.

Determining Relative Salinity of Estuaries

Students will help their teacher figure out where her water samples came from by determining their relative salinity. With this information and a picture map of areas of the Intercoastal Waterway, they will locate possible sources of the samples.

Submarines of Jelly: The Remarkable Siphonophore

This lesson uses an informational text resource intended to support reading in the content area. The text informs readers about siphonophores, a relatively little-studied organism related to jellyfish and corals. It can grow as long as 160 ft. (49 m) and can move through the water column in a coordinated fashion, and knowledge of its locomotion may help humans propel themselves efficiently underwater. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included.

Where in the World?!

This lesson is intended to teach students regarding similarities and differences that are found within and between terrestrial and aquatic biomes. Students will become familiar with major terrestrial biomes and major aquatic biomes.

Exploring Florida Ecosystems

Students explore the general definition of an ecosystem and reinforce the idea using ephemeral wetlands as a specific example. Students apply and share knowledge through presentations about specific Florida ecosystems.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Ant Populations in the Kenyan Savannah

Explore living and nonliving factors affecting populations of ants in Kenya and learn a bit about the importance of the acacia tree in this savannah ecosystem. 

Perspectives Video: Expert

Name Description
Ant Populations in the Kenyan Savannah <p>Patrick&nbsp;Milligan&nbsp;discusses biotic and abiotic factors that affect populations&nbsp;of ants in the Kenyan&nbsp;savannah.</p>

Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Name Description
Linear Regression for Analysis of Sea Anemone Data <p>Will Ryan describes how linear regression models contribute towards his research on sea anemones.</p>

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Name Description
Outdoor Exploration to Observe Nature

Take a hike! This teacher presents an idea for students to learn about nature by collecting and categorizing specimens.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Text Resource

Name Description
Clues to Future of Undersea Exploration May Reside Inside a Jellyfish-like Creature

This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article relates the findings of a study by four scientists about siphonophores, a relatively little-studied organism related to jellyfish and corals. Their study focuses on this organism's ability to move through the water column in a coordinated fashion and how this knowledge may help humans propel themselves efficiently underwater.

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Ant Populations in the Kenyan Savannah:

Explore living and nonliving factors affecting populations of ants in Kenya and learn a bit about the importance of the acacia tree in this savannah ecosystem. 



Parent Resources

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Name Description
Outdoor Exploration to Observe Nature:

Take a hike! This teacher presents an idea for students to learn about nature by collecting and categorizing specimens.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.



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