Chapter 4
How can people best use and protect Earth’s freshwater ecosystems?
Overview
In this chapter, students learn about the Great Lakes, including environmental threats to this freshwater ecosystem and efforts to manage the lakes. Students analyze data that illustrate the state of the Great Lakes today, such as bald eagle numbers, wetland areas remaining, and pollution levels.
Objectives
Students will
• evaluate the environmental health and management of the Great Lakes freshwater ecosystem.
• examine the environmental challenges facing global freshwater ecosystems and the impending crisis in fresh water supplies.
Vocabulary
Students will define and explain the importance of these key geographic terms:
ecosystem, food chain, food web, freshwater, watershed, glacier, runoff, point-source pollution, non-point-source pollution, invasive species
How can people best use and protect Earth’s freshwater ecosystems?
Overview
In this chapter, students learn about the Great Lakes, including environmental threats to this freshwater ecosystem and efforts to manage the lakes. Students analyze data that illustrate the state of the Great Lakes today, such as bald eagle numbers, wetland areas remaining, and pollution levels.
Objectives
Students will
• evaluate the environmental health and management of the Great Lakes freshwater ecosystem.
• examine the environmental challenges facing global freshwater ecosystems and the impending crisis in fresh water supplies.
Vocabulary
Students will define and explain the importance of these key geographic terms:
ecosystem, food chain, food web, freshwater, watershed, glacier, runoff, point-source pollution, non-point-source pollution, invasive species