Minds On
More than just a biosphere
What is a biosphere? The biosphere is a part of the Earth where life exists. Life exists from the bottom of the deepest ocean to the tops of the tallest mountains. Life can exist in many places. Examine the following image that represents a biosphere.
A biosphere consisting of earth, water, and air, and the life that inhabits each area. There are plants and animals in all areas of the biosphere.
The biosphere is made up of three parts: air, earth, and water. Think about the following questions based on the preceding biosphere picture, then press the following tabs to access possible answers to each question.
Animals live in all three areas of the biosphere. Sea creatures, like fish and otters, live in water. Land animals, like foxes, rabbits and moose live on the ground. Birds and insects fly through the air.
Plants are present in all three areas of the biosphere. Seaweed, kelp, and algae are some examples of plants that live in water. Trees, grass, and flowers are examples of plants that live on the ground. Plant pollen travels in the air. Oxygen, which is needed by all living beings, also travels in the air.
Yes! There are plants and animals living in all three areas of the biosphere. All three areas of the biosphere are important for animals and plants because they provide the necessities of life.
In some way, yes! Maybe not always directly, but most animals rely on plants to survive. For example, worms survive from consuming the minerals left behind from decomposing plants and other living things. Moose eat leaves, bark, and water plants. Mice eat grains and other plant products — and the fox might eat the mice!
Action
Biosphere reserves
In this learning activity, you will be exploring biosphere reserves in Canada. You will also learn about how biosphere reserves impact habitats and communities.
What is a biosphere reserve? Take some time to think about what it might mean. Jot down a few ideas in your notebook or make an audio recording of your ideas. Explore the following image for a hint!
Overhead view of a biosphere reserve consisting of three distinct concentric areas: a core area at the centre with trees and a magnifying glass icon signifying it is a research area; a buffer zone surrounding the core area that contains icons for research, education, tourism, and human settlement; and a transition area surrounding the buffer zone that contains multiple icons for each of research, education, tourism, and human settlement.
A biosphere reserve is where nature and humans exist together in a balanced relationship. Internationally designated as protected land by the United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), biosphere reserves are learning areas for sustainable development, where industry, humans and wildlife co-exist.
Biosphere reserves are made up of three zones: a core area, buffer zones, and transition areas. All biosphere reserves in Canada are managed by the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association.
Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association
Let’s play a game!
Complete the following matching activity to identify the goals of biosphere reserves.
For each image, select the corresponding text. You can play more than once to explore additional goals.
Where in Canada?
There are 19 biosphere reserves already in Canada. One might be located near you. Explore the following map of Canadian biosphere reserves.
Canada’s biosphere reserves
By province, the biosphere reserves are:
British Columbia: Clayoquot Sound (2000), Howe Sound (2021), Mount Arrowsmith (2000)
Northwest Territories: Tsà Tué (2016)
Alberta: Beaver Hills (2016), Waterton (1979)
Saskatchewan: Redberry Lake (2000)
Manitoba: Riding Mountain (1986)
Ontario: Frontenac Arch (2002), Georgian Bay (2004), Long Point (1986), Niagara Escarpment (1990),
Quebec: Charlevoix (1988), Lac Saint-Pierre (2000), Manicouagan-Ouapishka (2007), Mont Saint-Hilaire (1978)
New Brunswick: Fundy (2007)
Nova Scotia: Bras d’Or Lake (2011), Southwest Nova (2001)
Complete the following multiple-choice questions by checking the Canadian biosphere reserves map.
Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.
Here in Canada — Canadian connection
Located in Quebec, the Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve covers an area of over 54,000 km. What makes this biosphere reserve unique and innovative is that it is one of the few biospheres in the world that incorporates a large aluminum processing industry, as well as a hydroelectric dam.
Examine the following video entitled ‘Striking Balance: Manicougan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve’ to learn more about this unique site and community. Notice the undisturbed nature protected in the core zone of this reserve, and how these natural resources are used in a responsible way to provide essential services to the province of Quebec.
Consider the following checklist to reflect on what you learned more about in the video!
As I explored the video, did I…
Industries and nature
The purpose of a biosphere reserve is to sustain all life within it! How can the Alcoa aluminum factory and a hydroelectric dam exist without damaging the natural environment and the organisms within it? Factories usually create air, land, and water pollution. Hydro dams flood surrounding lands, including areas where Indigenous peoples harvested, hunted, and lived.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Take a moment to think about how different industries can hurt the environment and the people who call that environment home. Make a list of your ideas using a method of your choice.
Now press the following tabs to access how some of the industries that produce the most pollution hurt the environment and the people who live there.
Humans rely on power daily in many ways. The energy industry is very harmful to the environment because more and more fossil fuels are burned every year, which pollutes the air and contributes to global warming. Global warming is leading to rising temperatures and melting of sea ice.
The agriculture industry hurts the environment and the people that call that environment home because the large-scale farming methods used pollute the natural water resources and destroy the natural habitats of animals and people.
The food industry hurts the environment and the people that call that environment home because of the enormous production of waste. Most foods are packaged in plastic, which ends up in landfills and in the ocean. Thousands of marine animals die every year from eating plastics that are floating in the ocean.
There are numerous transportation methods; road, air and marine. Most transportation methods produce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Carbon emissions cause global warming, which is leading to rising temperatures and the melting of sea ice.
Think about how Alcoa managed to become part of a biosphere reserve even though it has the potential to harm the natural environment. What types of actions might have been taken to allow it to still be part of a biosphere reserve?
More issues besides pollution
What are issues people of the Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve must deal with to be successful in creating a sustainable community?
Check out the following video entitled “Striking Balance: Manicougan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve” to learn more about sustainability for the biosphere reserve.
What are some of the issues in the biosphere reserve? Create a list of four issues using a method of your choice.
Press ‘Answers’ to check out possible answers.
Some of the issues in the biosphere include:
- how to stop population decline
- how to manage out of control recreational activities
- encourage industry to become more sustainable
- finding ways to partner with Indigenous people to provide the Pessamit Innu community with more opportunities
You previously identified the goals of biosphere reserves. In this matching activity, select the function of these goals in solving issues.
For each goal, select the corresponding description of how this goal contributes to solving issues.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Brainstorm a series of solutions to the issues identified above. No answer is right or wrong. Be innovative with your solutions. Record your ideas in a method of your choice. If possible, share your answers!
Solutions
To help prevent a decline in population at the Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve and to attract business, the Uapishka Station was established in 2016. The station attracts tourists and scientists to the region, but also acts to support the Pessamit Innu community and their connections to their traditional lands, as well as supports the employment and growth of young Innu people.
Examine the following video entitled “Striking Balance: Manicougan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve” to learn how the biosphere reserve found some solutions to their issues.
Consider the following checklist to reflect on what you learned more about in the video!
When I checked out the video, did I…
Now, return to the issues you previously listed. By building a wilderness station, some solutions have been created. How does the Uapishka Station help solve some of the challenges that are occurring in the biosphere reserve and on traditional Innu territories?
Consolidation
Local communities
In some ways, everyone lives in a biosphere reserve. No matter where people live, they are living with nature. Nature may be right outside a front door, or down the street at a local park.
As with every biosphere, there are issues that need to be solved for interacting species (nature and humans) who share a common habitat to successfully coexist.
Identifying issues
What are some of the issues people might have in a biosphere or a local community? Maybe there are not enough trees at the local park to provide shade, or perhaps the grass is being overused and dying at local soccer fields. Local industries might be producing too much pollution or garbage, or perhaps some people in a community are being excluded from local activities. Record your thoughts in your notebook or using a method of your choice.
Taking action
Make a list of some of the actions that you can take in your local community to encourage a balance among living things, both human and in nature. When thinking about these actions, consider the solutions the people from Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve came up with.
Consider the following checklist to reflect on actions that can serve as solutions to environmental problems.
When I brainstormed for solutions, did I…
After brainstorming actions that can be solutions for protecting your local environment, press the following tabs to access a few examples of actions humans can take.
Use reusable shopping bags to decrease production of single-use plastics.
Bike, walk, take public transportation, or carpool to make your commute more environmentally friendly!.
Turn off and unplug lights and electronics when not in use to reduce how much electricity you use.
Compost food waste to keep it from ending up in a landfill.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.