VI. Role-play

Choose one of the following situations to act out.

1. As young researchers, you and your colleague are examining pho­tographs of the earth taken from the moon and discussing what the Earth is.

1. Two scientists are backing up the argument that no living organ­isms exist or can exist as an entity unto itself.

1. Your colleague thinks that air, water, soil, minerals, forests, wildlife are there simply for our taking with no prices to be paid for their use, misuse or pollution. You have an opposite opinion and are saying that there are prices to be paid.

1. You are speaking about sustainabiUty of human society. From your point of view, it will depend on maintaining the integrity of the biosphere.

1. You had a tour across the United States and are demonstrating that each ecosystem is characterized by a distinctive plant com­munity.

1. You are a lecturer and telling your students why it is convenient to divide the biosphere into biomes and ecosystems for study and dis­cussion.

7. As a reporter at the International Conference, you are speaking about ecotones between adjacent systems and their unique environments

g. Two environmentalists are talking about the entire biosphere as one

mammoth ecosystem. 9. An adult student is asking his teacher about oceans. He wants to

know what a variety of environments oceans include depend on.

The teacher will then answer his questions. 10. You think that different areas of oceans may be studied as separate

ecosystems. Your friend has an opposite opinion.

VII. FOR DISCUSSION AND COMPOSITION

Choose one of the following to discuss or write about.

1. Describe "Spaceship Earth".

1. Explain why no living organism exists or can exist as an entity unto itself.

1. Do you agree that there are prices to be paid for use, misuse, or pollution of our natural resources? What are some of the prices?

1. Explain why we need to know how the biosphere works, how the biosphere functions to support all life.

1. Define an ecosystem. Consider some examples of ecosystems.

1. Each ecosystem is characterized by a distinctive plant community. Is it true? How can you define a distinctive plant community.

1. Discuss with your classmates major terrestrial ecosystems such as forest or prairie.

1. Consider a marshy area, which often occurs between the open wa­ter of a lake and dry land.

1. Describe a variety of environments oceans include.

10. Are all ecosystems and biomes interconnected? Describe how they are interconnected.