Teaching guide

1

Introduction

The Community of Madrid has a great variety of natural spaces in which there are numerous ecosystems. With

the proposed activities we aim to have a global vision of that variety of landscapes and biodiversity.

The richness of the diversity of these environments can be observed in an interactive way through the senses. In

this way we can approach our natural spaces in a different way. A sensory approach will give birth to greater

respect and love for those other traveling companions on planet Earth.

Objectives of the activity:

• Develop individual and team work habits, effort habits as well as self confidence attitudes.

• Develop critical sense, personal initiative, curiosity, interest and creativity in learning and

entrepreneurship.

• Understand and describe both the world of one´s own nature and that which man has built.

• Broaden the curiosity and eagerness to learn, acquire foundations of thought and broaden the field og

knowledge to better understand the world around you.

• Encourage logical and critical thinking, to establish cause-effect relationships.

2

Methodology

Activities will be carried out in a very practical way; using interactive presentations, videos, photographs,

games, etc. Teamwork will be encouraged for problem solving.

What is an ecosystem?

Ecosystems are communities of living beings that interact and are part of a physical environment that

provides them with the necessary conditions to live.

In all ecosystems we can distinguish three components:

• The array of living beings that inhabit the ecosystem.

• The physical environment, which is where the living beings of an ecosystem live.

• The relationships that are established between living beings, and also between them and the physical

environment in which they live.

3

Biotics and abiotics fators

The abiotic factors are the physical and chemical factors that determine the characteristics of a biotope: the

luminosity, pressure, temperature, humidity, salinity, etc. (temperature, precipitation, humidity,...) may be different

from those that determine aquatic ecosystems (salinity, light, depth...).

Biotic factors are those related to the living beings that inhabit a biotope and the relationships that establish each

other.

Ecosystem

Abiotic Factors

Water Air Soil

Biotic

Factors

Microorganisms Plants Animals

4

Madrid´s Ecosystems

The Community of Madrid, largely due to its physiographic and climatic variety, possesses a great diversity of

ecosystems, many of them in good state of conservation. In general it shows traces of past and current uses by

people. Today it is difficult to recognize our environment without the presence of these.

30km20100

Cartografía facilitada a efectos informativos en cumplimiento de la Ley 27/2006, de 18 de julio, por la que se regulan losderechos de acceso a la información, de participación pública y de acceso a la justicia en materia de medio ambiente. El

contenido de la información recogida en este documento tiene caracter orientativo y no vinculante

Fuente: https://idem.madrid.org/visor/?v=ambiental

The types of vegetation

The vegetation type is Mediterranean, finding us in the

basement floor, with junipers, oaks and pine trees that give way

to oaks of melody, to those that replace when climbing even

more, the wild pine forests that occupy the upper limit of the

tree formations, only exceeded in altitude by thickets padded

with pyornal and Enebral dwarfs.

In the summits where the persistence of snow is very prolonged

for the development of woody vegetation, herbaceous plants

will appear, forming the high mountain pastures.

Altitudinal distribution of Madrid’s landscapes

Plant species, depending on the environmental requirements for their development,

occupy different territories. As we ascend, due to the geography of the Community of

Madrid, we can go into different landscapes. These different landscapes are classified by

the most characteristic species, but each and every one of them hosts a great richness

of species.

What happens when we lose biodiversity?

When biodiversity loss occurs in an ecosystem, it affects plant

productivity, soil fertility, water quality, atmospheric chemistry, and

many other environmental conditions, which ultimately affect

people’s welfare.

It only protects and conserves what is known and valued. This is why

it is important that we learn to value the environment in which we

live, from the diversity of the colors of the landscapes to the aromas

that envelop us, from the familiar sound of the wind to the soft touch

of a flower.

5

6

http://www.comunidad.madrid/servicios/urbanismo-medio-ambiente/espacios-naturales-protegidos

Protected natural areas

The most unique natural spaces for their beauty, their biological or

geological richness and their special scientific or landscape interest, are

under the protection of different legal figures that guarantee their

conservation and allow a respectful enjoyment by all.

In the Community of Madrid there are 9 Protected Natural Spaces,

which account for a total of 15% of the area of our autonomous

community.

The interactive map with the different protected natural spaces of the Community of Madrid.

You must download the file with the name of "previous third cycle activity EP"

By clicking on the existing numbers on the map, you will link to the website of the Department

of the Environment of the Community of Madrid. In order to use the file, it is necessary to have

an internet connection.

If you click on the text of the names of the different protected natural spaces, different

representative images of those spaces will appear.

7

Previous activity: Map of the Community of Madrid

PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID

8

Activity 1: Creating diversity

For the development of the activity the class will be divided into 4 groups, so they can work in teams.

There will be 4 tests per group, each test will have a 5 minute limit. Then the groups will share their

answers see if they have performed correctly and reflect on their responses. For each test they will

be given a piece that will serve to configure the image of a map of the Community of Madrid.

Activity 2: Long live diversity

During the activity, 4 activities will be carried out:

• Get Involved

• Diversify yourself

• From the valley to the mountains

• The most exclusive Madrileños

The different games will deal with different aspects of the ecosystems as they are; relations between

elements of the ecosystem, fragility vs diversity, diversity of the Madrid ecosystems, endemism.

We propose to the class that they send us photos of living beings that they find in the school yard,

the nearest park. With all the photos received a Poster of the biodiversity will be made that will be

completed as we get the images.

The images will be sent to info@educambientambiental.com and will be posted on the

www.educambientalmadrid.com page.

.

9

Posterior Activity