Waseley Hills High School
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
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Part A
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.
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.
Test the water for oxygen and nitrate concentration, you should have been shown
this in lessons.
Arrange the photographs in a report with information describing how each can be
used to measure the levels of pollutants.
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
RESOURCES
(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)
The grading criteria this assignment relates to;
2B.P4 Describe the impact that different human activities have on ecosystems.
2B.M3 Analyse the effects of pollutants on ecosystems.
2B.D2 Explain the long-term effects of pollutants on living organisms and ecosystems.
2B.P5 Describe how living and non-living indicators can be used to measure levels of pollutants.
2B.P6 Describe the different methods used to help reduce the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
2B.M4 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of methods used to reduce the impact of human activity
on ecosystems.
2B.D3 Evaluate the success of methods to reduce the impact of human activity on an ecosystem, for a
given scenario.
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
Task part
A
Task part
B
Description
 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
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
A conclusion as to whether or not the farmers and local
factories are causing the problems reported
2B.M3
Task part
B
A description of the effect each of the activities listed in part b)
could have on the environment
2B.P5
Task part
B
2B.P4
2B.D2
Task 2a
2B.P6
Task 2b
2B.M4
Task 2c
2B.D3
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.
Two advantages and two disadvantages added to the posters
produced in a)
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.
Checklist
Learner Assessment Submission and Declaration
This sheet must be completed by the learner and provided for work
submitted for assessment.
Learner name:
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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
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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.
Learner signature: ________________________________Date:_______________
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