Title: Ecology and Environmental Management (18003-18)

Demonstrating Personal Qualities and Abilities
  Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
  Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving.
  Demonstrate initiative and self-direction.
  Demonstrate integrity.
  Demonstrate work ethic.
  WorkplaceReadinessSkillsPoster2019.pdf
Demonstrating Interpersonal Skills
  Demonstrate conflict-resolution skills.
  Demonstrate listening and speaking skills.
  Demonstrate respect for diversity.
  Demonstrate customer service skills.
  Collaborate with team members.
Demonstrating Professional Competencies
  Demonstrate big-picture thinking.
  Demonstrate career- and life-management skills.
  Demonstrate continuous learning and adaptability.
  Manage time and resources.
  Demonstrate information-literacy skills.
  Demonstrate an understanding of information security.
  Maintain working knowledge of current information-technology (IT) systems.
  Demonstrate proficiency with technologies, tools, and machines common to a specific occupation.
  Apply mathematical skills to job-specific tasks.
  Demonstrate professionalism.
  Demonstrate reading and writing skills.
  Demonstrate workplace safety.
Examining All Aspects of an Industry
  Examine aspects of planning within an industry/organization.
  Examine aspects of management within an industry/organization.
  Examine aspects of financial responsibility within an industry/organization.
  Examine technical and production skills required of workers within an industry/organization.
  Examine principles of technology that underlie an industry/organization.
  Examine labor issues related to an industry/organization.
  Examine community issues related to an industry/organization.
  Examine health, safety, and environmental issues related to an industry/organization.
Addressing Elements of Student Life
  Identify the purposes and goals of the student organization.
  Explain the benefits and responsibilities of membership in the student organization as a student and in professional/civic organizations as an adult.
  Demonstrate leadership skills through participation in student organization activities, such as meetings, programs, and projects.
  Identify Internet safety issues and procedures for complying with acceptable use standards.
Exploring Work-Based Learning
  Identify the types of work-based learning (WBL) opportunities.
  (Optional) Reflect on lessons learned during the WBL experience.
  Explore career opportunities related to the WBL experience.
  (Optional) Participate in a WBL experience, when appropriate.
Exploring Leadership Opportunities through FFA
  A Note About This Module
  Identify the role of supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) in agricultural education.
  Participate in an SAE.
  Identify benefits and responsibilities of FFA membership.
  Describe leadership characteristics and opportunities as they relate to agriculture and FFA.
  (Optional) Apply for an FFA degree and/or an agricultural proficiency award.
Identifying Careers in Environmental Management
  Describe occupations in natural resource management and conservation.
  Develop a list of local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations that work with the environment and/or natural resources.
  Identify environmental and natural resource management and conservation businesses in the community.
Developing Basic Environmental Science Concepts
  Explain the importance of the environment in sustaining living organisms.
  Define basic terminology in ecology and other environmental sciences.
  Explain energy transfer in ecosystems.
  Describe the effects of natural events and anthropogenic influences on ecosystems.
  (Optional) Explain principles and processes of ecological succession.
  (Optional) Illustrate geometric vs. arithmetic increases in population growth.
  (Optional) Describe how population growth is related to environmental degradation and global food insecurity.
  (Optional) Explain the tragedy of the commons.
  (Optional) Explain the role of biodiversity in ecosystem stability.
  (Optional) Explain the latitudinal diversity gradient.
  (Optional) Explain the process of species differentiation.
Protecting the Environment – Air and Noise
  Explain the composition of the atmosphere.
  (Optional) Explain effective methods to control various air pollutants.
  Explain the effects of climate change.
  Research the sources and effects of acid rain.
  (Optional) Analyze the effects of ozone depletion.
  (Optional) Identify types of noise pollution and the effect on humans, wildlife, and ecological systems.
  (Optional) Identify sources of light pollution and its effect on wildlife and ecological systems.
Protecting the Environment – Soil
  Describe soil fertility and the role of soil in ecosystems.
  (Optional) Classify soils using the soil taxonomy system.
  Identify differences in soil profiles.
  Investigate soil types and suitability.
  (Optional) Interpret data contained in soil maps.
  Explain land capability classes.
  (Optional) Explain leaching in soils.
  Collect soil samples to analyze for composition.
  Interpret soil test results to make nutrient recommendations.
  (Optional) Explain how wind and water erode soil.
  Identify common plants used for riparian buffers and other vegetative erosion control methods.
  Explain the effects of erosion on plants, animals, and their habitats.
  Describe agricultural practices that conserve soil structure and fertility.
  (Optional) Explain mechanical erosion control measures.
Protecting the Environment – Water
  Identify the characteristics of a watershed.
  Explain the role of water in ecosystems.
  (Optional) Illustrate the hydrologic cycle.
  Define wetlands and their uses.
  (Optional) Illustrate components of the riverine system.
  Identify characteristics of an estuarine system.
  (Optional) Describe an aquatic zonation system.
  (Optional) Explain how water moves in the oceans and the factors affecting movement.
  Explain groundwater and its sources.
  Explain the Clean Water Act.
  (Optional) Examine the water needs for an agricultural enterprise, school, or home.
  Define point-source and nonpoint-source (NPS) pollution.
  Identify major water pollutants, their sources, and their effects on the environment, the economy, and human health.
  (Optional) Report on the effects of polluted water on animals and humans.
  Explain the importance of karst topography.
  Compare methods used to reduce surface and groundwater contamination.
  (Optional) Analyze water samples for chemical pollutants and organisms.
  Analyze water quality using the Izaak Walton League of America method.
  (Optional) Explain the effects of water pollution on agricultural production.
  Define eutrophication and its relationship to nutrient-rich waters.
  Select best management practices (BMPs) designed to improve water quality.
  (Optional) Interpret a flood-hazard analysis.
  (Optional) Explain methods of flood control.
  (Optional) Compare stream bank protection measures.
Investigating Environmental Issues
  (Optional) Examine environmental agencies.
  (Optional) Identify local, state, national, and global issues concerning agriculture and the environment.
  Summarize how agriculture and the environment are related.
  Compare sustainability practices and multiple-use management strategies used to protect and maintain Virginia’s forest ecosystems.
  (Optional) Define organic farming.
  Assess how technology has mitigated pollution.
Planning and Managing Land Use
  (Optional) Identify major land uses and their effects on the environment and ecosystems.
  (Optional) Explain zoning classifications and their effects.
  (Optional) Classify land zoning according to its uses.
  Describe green infrastructure.
Managing Fish and Wildlife
  Describe the role of hunting and fishing in the management of wildlife.
  Identify common game species native to Virginia.
  Contrast habitat requirements for various fish and wildlife.
  Describe human conflicts with wildlife populations.
  Describe the environmental effects of overpopulation of wildlife.
  (Optional) Identify local plants or trees that provide food and/or cover for animals and birds.
  Explain measurement of wildlife and fish populations.
  Explain the difference among extinct, extirpated, endangered, and threatened species of wildlife.
  (Optional) Identify Virginia's threatened and endangered species.
  (Optional) Identify diseases and parasites in wildlife.
  (Optional) List methods to improve reestablishment of species to a natural habitat.
  (Optional) Describe management practices of freshwater fisheries.
  (Optional) Summarize the aquaculture industry.
  Describe the effects of habitat loss.
Managing Forests and Forestland
  Explain basic tree structure and growth.
  Identify forest trees of Virginia.
  Explain invasive species and their effects on native populations.
  Differentiate between forest types in Virginia.
  Identify tree diseases and insect pests.
  Calculate the value of standing timber.
  (Optional) Identify forest products and uses of harvested trees.
  (Optional) Explain how trees are selected for removal.
  Compare methods of forest harvest and regeneration.
  (Optional) Describe factors to consider when determining species most appropriate for reforestation.
  (Optional) Examine the uses of prescribed burning.
  Explain the development and anatomy of a forest wildfire.
  (Optional) Develop forest wildfire prevention techniques.
  (Optional) Evaluate forest wildfire fighting techniques.
  (Optional) Explain the use of herbicides in forest management.
  (Optional) Research the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) offered through the NRCS.
  Explain how urban and community forests fit into the urban ecosystem.
  Identify the benefits of urban forests.
  (Optional) Explain the relationship between urban forests and air and water quality.
  (Optional) Identify plant species appropriate for urban development.
  Identify BMPs for tree care.
  (Optional) Describe unfavorable conditions that urban trees experience.
  (Optional) Calculate the benefits of an urban tree.
  (Optional) Describe techniques for planting and establishing trees.
  (Optional) Develop a mulching, pruning, fertilization, and pest control plan for urban plantings.
Understanding Conservation Cartography and Orienteering
  Describe a topographic map, a relief map, and satellite imagery.
  (Optional) Interpret a topographic map.
  Create a topographic map.
  (Optional) Determine percentage slope on a topographic map.
  (Optional) Interpret maps for correlation to geographic features.
  (Optional) Identify cardinal directions on maps and in the outdoors.
  Use a compass to orient various locations on a map.
  (Optional) Use triangulation to estimate an unknown location from one or more known locations.
  (Optional) Define geographic information system (GIS).
  (Optional) Explain global positioning system (GPS).
Investigating Waste Management
  (Optional) Explain the processes carried out in a sewage plant.
  (Optional) Explain a sewage disposal system.
  (Optional) Outline the systems for hazardous waste disposal.
  Identify common methods of waste disposal.
  (Optional) Design a landfill.
Managing Energy Resources
  (Optional) Describe forms of usable energy.
  (Optional) Outline energy production trends in the United States and worldwide.
  Explain traditional and primary energy sources in use today.
  Describe alternative sources of energy.
  (Optional) Evaluate appliances for energy use and conservation.
  (Optional) Describe how various energy sources are obtained, processed, distributed, and used.
  (Optional) Explain problems associated with the production, processing, distribution, and use of various energy sources.
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
  8045 Student Competency Record Copyright 2023.xlsx
  8045 8046 Standards Correlations.pdf
  Acknowledgments and Copyright Information