SC.912.L.17.7

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
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2000330: Biology 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000370: Botany (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000380: Ecology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2001340: Environmental Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 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 and beyond (current))
2002510: Marine Science 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002520: Marine Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002530: Marine Science 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2000410: Zoology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2001341: Environmental Science Honors (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Educational Software / Tool

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.

Type: Educational Software / Tool

Lesson Plans

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

Type: Lesson Plan

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. 

Type: Lesson Plan

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. 

Type: Lesson Plan

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.

Type: Lesson Plan

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.

Type: Lesson Plan

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.

Type: Lesson Plan

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.

Type: Lesson Plan

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.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

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. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Perspectives Video: Expert

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>

Type: Perspectives Video: Expert

Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Linear Regression for Analysis of Sea Anemone Data:

<p>Will Ryan describes how linear regression models contribute towards his research on sea anemones.</p>

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

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.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Teaching Idea

Design an Ecosystem-SeaWorld Classroom Activity:

The student will describe various adaptations and how they enable the organism to survive in its habitat.

Type: Teaching Idea

Text Resource

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.

Type: Text Resource

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades 9-12

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. 

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

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. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

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.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea