• Interconnectedness within ecosystems
• Interactions among biotic and abiotic components
• Species diversity (kinds of organisms)
• Niche concept
• Relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem stability

• Levels of biological organization (atoms to ecosphere)
• Taxonomic categories (scientific nomenclature - naming system)
• Linking species and habitats (ecosystem management)
• Identifying species in danger
• Characterizing native flora and fauna; early warning systems for exotic species
• Managing biological control techniques for pest species

• Characterize the threats (why it is endangered)
• Identify the niche/habitat needs of the species
• Determine the human activities affecting the species; identify stakeholders
• Use ecosystem management techniques
• Educate all parties needed to make the program work well
• Bring together biologists, government agencies, business interests, etc.

• Global programs for protecting endangered species
• Endangered Species Act (U.S. federal law protecting biodiversity)
• Stopping the spread of "exotic" species that "invade" local environments
• Reducing the threats to rare species; better ecosystem management
• Examples of endangered species
• Gray whale
• Snow Leopard
• River Dolphins - Beiji

• Utilizing a systems approach to ecosystem management
• POET model
• Sustainable living practices
• Respect for other species in the natural world
• Reuse, recycle, reduce wastes

• Structure of systems
• Energy processes in systems
• Types of systems (e.g., mechanical, organizational, life forms, ecoysytems) 

Systems in Nature

• Level of biological organization
• Ecosystem structure and function (e.g., Food Webs)
• Mesocosms in ecological research (e.g., MERL Facility)

• Inductive/Deductive Reasoning
• Thinking Styles
• Relativistic/Dualistic Thinking (Research of William Perry)