BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Principles of Applied Science
Unit 4 Biology and our Environment
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Learning aim B: Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of human activity on the environment and how these effects can be measured.
How human activities alter ecosystems. How pollutants produced as a result of human activity can affect ecosystems. Living and non-living indicators can be used as a measure of the level of
pollution in an ecosystem, There are measures that can be taken to counteract or reduce the impact of
pollutants on ecosystems.
Assignment B: Human impact on the environment
Scenario
As an environmental scientist working for Severn Trent Water you job involves measuring water quality and advising on the effects of pollution and contamination of local water sources. For this role you need knowledge of how humans impact the environment and be able to recommend methods for reducing pollution. There have been reports about a stream which runs through the area looking green and foamy, and suggestions that some local industries and farmers are not being as careful as they should be with some of the things they are doing. You have been tasked with investigating these reports and recommending solutions.
Task 1 – How humans affect the ecosystem and pollution / RESOURCES
Part A
1. Take photographs of the area around the site you are investigating. You should have a photograph of lichens growing, the stream or river that runs through the area and any buildings or rocks that show erosion.
2. Take samples of the water and identify any living organisms which you find that provide information about the water quality. If possible take photos of these too.
3. Test the water for oxygen and nitrate concentration, you should have been shown this in lessons.
4. Arrange the photographs in a report with information describing how each can be used to measure the levels of pollutants.
5. Describe your tests for oxygen and nitrate levels and set out the findings in the report. Add the findings from your oxygen and nitrate tests and describe the tests you did.
All above tasks are 2B.P5
Part B
1. As you took samples and measured the levels of pollutants in the environment for your report, you wanted to find out what other local factories and farmers could be doing that might affect the ecosystems around them. You think this would be good to add into your report so that the community action group have further information to support them in their decision whether to take action against the farmers or factory owners.
To do this you need to carry out some research into the effects:
(i) of using too much fertiliser
(ii) of using herbicides and pesticides
(iii) of the increasing demand to grow more food
(iv) of transporting the food
(v) in other countries where deforestation is taking place to provide timber and land to grow food. (2B.P4)
2. When you have completed your research, describe in your report one or two ways that each of these activities could affect your area. You now need to link your description to the tests you carried out in part a. For each of the effects in part part B, say how these activities could be involved in the changes that have been reported to the group (look back at the scenario). Using data from your research, and the tests that you have carried out, suggest to the group whether or not the farmers and local factories are causing the problems reported. You must remember to back up your suggestions with research and the results of the tests you have done. (2B.M3)
3. Using the research you did for part B, or by doing some more research, find out what effect each of the activities listed in part b) could have on the environment. Add to your report, explaining at least one long-term effect on living organisms, food webs and ecosystems, and humans for each of the listed activities. (2B.D2)
Hint: Think about the long-term effect of too much plant life in water and the effect of having vast areas cleared for farming.
Task 2 Reducing Pollution
After the presentation of your report to the meeting, it is decided that everyone needs to be made more aware of the dangers of pollution, and how it can be reduced. You have been asked to prepare a poster display detailing how the community could work together to reduce pollution in the town, and give some examples of where some methods have been trialled. The poster will be displayed in the town hall for all visitors to see, and needs to be eye catching and engaging. Include the following in your display:
a) Describe how the following methods can help to reduce pollution:
recycling and reusing
breeding programmes
using renewable resources – e.g. wind, solar
using organic fertilisers and biological control of pests. (2B.P6)
For each of these methods you should say how they can be used and how they reduce the effects of human impact and benefit the ecosystem where they are used.
b) For each of the methods above discuss at least two advantages and two disadvantages (2B.M4)
c) Choose an example of where some of these methods have been used and provide evidence to suggest whether they have been successful in counteracting pollution or not. Suggest ways that these methods could be improved further, or if there are other techniques that could be used.
Hint: You will need to include other ways that can be used to reduce pollution that are not included in the list in task 2 part a). If your research has been thorough then you should have read about some of these other ways in the unit specification. (2B.D3)
If you have not achieved the Level 2 criteria, your work will be assessed to determine if the following Level 1 criteria have been met.
1B.4 / Identify human activities that affect an ecosystem
1B.5 / Identify living and non-living indicators and the type of pollution they measure
1B.6 / Describe how recycling and reusing materials can reduce the impact that human activities have on an ecosystem
Evidence you must produce for this task;
Level / Description / ChecklistTask part A
2B.P5 / · Photographs of a nearby ecosystem
· Photographs of living organisms identified from a stream
· Results for tests on water for oxygen and nitrates
· Report showing how each one can be used to show pollution
· Describe tests for oxygen and nitrates
Task part B
2B.P4 / Information leaflet for the following
(i) of using too much fertiliser
(ii) of using herbicides and pesticides
(iii) of the increasing demand to grow more food
(iv) of transporting the food
(v) in other countries where deforestation is taking place to provide timber and land to grow food
Task part B
2B.M3 / A conclusion as to whether or not the farmers and local factories are causing the problems reported
Task part B
2B.D2 / A description of the effect each of the activities listed in part b) could have on the environment
Task 2a
2B.P6 / Poster on the following methods of reducing pollution
· recycling and reusing
· breeding programmes
· using renewable resources – e.g. wind, solar
· Using organic fertilisers and biological control of pests.
Task 2b
2B.M4 / Two advantages and two disadvantages added to the posters produced in a)
Task 2c
2B.D3 / An example of where some of these methods have been used with evidence provided to suggest whether they have been successful in counteracting pollution or not. A suggestion of ways to improve the methods has been included.
Learner Assessment Submission and Declaration
This sheet must be completed by the learner and provided for work submitted for assessment.
Learner name: / Assessor name:Date issued: / Completion date: / Submitted on:
Qualification: BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Principles of Applied Science
Assessment reference and title: Unit 4 Biology and our Environment, Assignment B
Task ref. / Evidence submitted / Page numbers or description
Learner declaration
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources used in the work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.
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