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Conservation Ecology

Recommended for Grades 8, 10, 11, and 12
This program encourages students to look more closely at how humans are affecting marine ecosystems. Students begin their journey by exploring the natural characteristics of three different ecosystems—rocky reefs, kelp forests and coral reefs—through a series of demonstrations. We use props and observe live animals in our Tropic Zone and Treasures of the BC Coast galleries. From the galleries, students return to the classroom to build model ecosystems like the ones they have just observed. Students are forced to think on their feet as they are given a range of scenarios to "develop" their ecosystems, where they are encouraged to strike a balance between economics and the environment.

Students learn the importance of small and large scale conservation efforts, the complexity of ecosystem structure and interactions and how human activities can affect marine ecosystems. We will also explore the actions we can take to promote healthier and more sustainable marine ecosystems as students consider the human factor in the world equation.

Conservation Ecology

Program Details

Availability 

Conservation Ecology is offered over two semesters from October 13, 2011 to March 29, 2012. Please see below for semester details.
Register for this program

Fall Semester
Days: Thursdays 
Time: 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Winter Semester
Days: Thursdays 
Time: 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Class Size And Duration

Classes require a minimum of 20 students to register. The maximum capacity of the class is limited to 30 students. The duration of the class is 2 hours. Register early to book your program.

Learning Outcomes

These programs support the Prescribed Learning Outcomes of the B.C. Ministry of Education's Integrated Resource Packages (IRPs) and the Aquarium's conservation mission.

Communication Skills

  • Explain the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors within an ecosystem (Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems)
  • Explain the significance of salinity and temperature in the world’s oceans (Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on Earth)
  • Describe the characteristics of the world’s climate regions, including: tropical wet and west coast marine (Weather and Climate)
  • Describe how vegetation adapts to environmental conditions (Biomes)
  • Describe factors that affect productivity and species distribution in aquatic environments (Earth and Space Science: Water Systems on Earth)
  • Explain various ways in which natural populations are altered or kept in equilibrium (Life Science: Sustainability of Ecosystems)

Critical Thinking

  • Analyze interactions between human activity and the atmosphere, with reference to: global climate change, acid precipitation (Weather and Climate)
  • Analyze the functional inter-relationships of organisms within an ecosystem (Ecology)
  • Analyze the increasing complexity of the Phyla Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Echonodermata, and Arthropoda (Animal Biology)
  • Analyze the interactions between human activity and biomes, with reference to deforestation, soil degradation, species depletion (Biomes)

Assessment Skills

  • Assess the environmental impact of human activities including energy production and use, forestry, fishing, agriculture, waste disposal and water use (Resources and Environmental Sustainability)
  • Assess the various consideration involved in resource management, including sustainability, availability, social/cultural consequences and economic consequences (Resources and Environmental Sustainability)
  • Evaluate possible causes of climate change and its impact on natural systems (Earth and Space Science: Energy Transfer in Natural Systems)
  • Use models to explain how systems operate (Processes of Science)
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