Learning the Water, Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles through the Effects of Intensive Farming Techniques

Elements of natural substances are constantly cycling through Earth. Water, carbon and nitrogen move through Earth’s many ecosystems in closed paths called the biogeochemical cycles. Human activities have changed Earth’s environment in many ways. These impacts are multifaceted and are complex cause and effect relationships. In this unit, we will explore only one of these activities (modern agriculture) and its impact on the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles.

By analyzing intensive farming techniques, students will learn about the biogeochemical cycles and the impact modern farming has had on these cycles. Pushing students to understand this concept in detail will add significant depth to a concept that is often oversimplified. This unit is intended for Biology students in Grades 9 or 10.