Topic 3.2 Mapping and monitoring earth’s resources (60 GLH)

Investigating why and how humans rely on Earth’s resources and understanding why the impact of the use of those resources are key to meeting future demand for energy and raw materials. Science enables us to locate and to monitor these vital resources and can help in managing the environmental impact of human activity.

People and organisations undertaking mapping and monitoring activities include geoscientists and geologists, mining engineers, metallurgists, oil and gas geologists, geophysicists and environmental geologists. Scientists who are particularly engaged in monitoring biodiversity include ecologists and environmental scientists.

The purpose of this topic is for learners to plan, research, investigate, map and survey different environments to locate and quantify raw materials and living organisms for specified purposes. Learners will carry out field work and secondary research, gathering data about biodiversity and the distribution of resources found in Earth’s four spheres. They will select and use relevant scientific techniques and tools, justifying choices made to gather this data and learn approaches to monitoring these resources over time. Learners will know and understand the duties humans have to use these resources responsibly with due regard for political, social, environmental, ethical and economic considerations.

This topic could provide an opportunity for learners to work in teams.

Learners must know and understand:

1. geophysical techniques used for collecting survey data including ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, aerial photography and GPS imaging

2. geological tools and field equipment used for collecting survey data including those for surface and borehole sampling and sub-surface drilling

3. geochemical techniques used for analysing materials including for pH soil and water analysis, conductivity, chemical composition and spectrometry

4. types of information gathered by using geophysical and geochemical techniques and geological tools and field equipment

5. types of naturally occurring chemical compounds

6. models of atomic structure including electronic configurations

7. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature of organic and inorganic chemical substances and chemical formulae

8. the elemental composition of chemical compounds from the periodic table of elements and their structures including hydrocarbons and inorganic compounds

9. methods for species identification, naming and classification of fungi, plants and animals

10. factors affecting habitats including climate, weather, food availability, mates, territories, disease, water availability, inter- and intra-specific competition and predation

11. measures of biodiversity including total species number, indicator species, biodiversity hotspots, endemic and migrant species and genetic biodiversity

12. the roles of adaptation and natural selection in the process of evolution and their contribution to genetic diversity

13. implications of techniques and approaches to mapping and monitoring of environments and resources

14. analysis including chemical, biological, mathematical and statistical to determine the potential for exploitation of a natural resource

15. political, social, environmental, ethical and economic implications of the exploitation of a natural resource

Learners must be able to:

1. select and use appropriate surveying techniques and equipment to map an environment

2. gather data from an environment

3. analyse results from a mapping exercise

4. use diagrams to represent statistical information

5. present outcomes using scientific language and terminology.

In order to engage with this topic effectively, learners must use the following PLTS:

• independent enquirers
• effective participators.