ENVS.SCI.5.B

Explain the cycling of water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen through ecosystems, including sinks, and the human interactions that alter these cycles using tools such as models.

Environmental Systems · Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) · TEKS 2022

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Vocabulary
cyclingwaterphosphoruscarbonsiliconnitrogenecosystemssinkshuman interactionscyclestoolsmodels
Skills
  • explain (the cycling of water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen through ecosystems, including sinks) #dok2
  • identify (human interactions that alter biogeochemical cycles) #dok2
  • use (models to illustrate or analyze biogeochemical cycles and human impacts) #dok3
  • analyze (the impact of human actions on nutrient cycles in ecosystems) #dok3
Learning Targets
  • I can describe the cycling of water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen in ecosystems, including the concept of sinks. #dok1
  • I can identify the major reservoirs and steps for water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen cycles in ecosystems. #dok1
  • I can explain how each nutrient cycles through an ecosystem and is stored in sinks. #dok2
  • I can identify and explain ways human activities interact with and alter biogeochemical cycles. #dok2
  • I can use models to show how human activities disrupt or modify water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen cycles. #dok3
  • I can analyze how disruptions to nutrient cycles affect ecosystem structure and function. #dok3
  • I can design or refine a model to predict the impact of human activity on biogeochemical cycles. #dok4
Big Ideas
  • Nutrient cycles such as water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen are essential for ecosystem stability and are influenced by both natural processes and human actions.
  • Models are powerful tools to represent and understand the cycling of essential elements and to predict how human activities impact these cycles and environmental health.
Essential Questions
  • How do water, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen cycle through ecosystems, and what roles do 'sinks' play in these cycles?
  • What are common human activities that alter biogeochemical cycles, and how do these changes impact ecosystems?
  • How can models help us understand and predict changes in nutrient cycles caused by human interactions?
  • In what ways can disruptions in these cycles affect the overall health and stability of an ecosystem?
  • Why is it important to study both natural and human influences on the cycling of essential nutrients?