Earth's Systems  Within this book the authors will address the
following required North Carolina Standard Course of Study goals
and objectives:  Competency Goal 1: The learner will conduct
investigations to build an understanding of the interdependence
of plants and animals Objectives    • 1.01 Describe and compare
several common ecosystems (communities of organisms and their
interaction with the environment).   • 1.02 Identify and analyze
the functions of organisms within the population of the
ecosystem:     • Producers.     • Consumers.     • Decomposers.
• 1.03 Explain why an ecosystem can support a variety of
organisms.   • 1.05 Determine the interaction of organisms
within an ecosystem.   • 1.06 Explain and evaluate some ways
that humans affect ecosystems.     • Habitat reduction due to
development.     • Pollutants.     • Increased nutrients.   •
1.07 Determine how materials are recycled in nature.  Competency
Goal 2: The learner will make observations and conduct
investigations to build an understand