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Ecosystems are dependent on interrelationships within the
environment.
Solar radiation is the ultimate source of energy for all organisms.
Plants utilize sunlight, chlorophyll, water, nutrients, and carbon
dioxide to manufacture glucose and release oxygen. Plants are
called primary producers. Animals consume these plants. Animals
are called consumers and those that consume plants are called
herbivores. Carnivores eat herbivores. Consumers take in glucose
and release carbon dioxide, water and energy; however, it respires
as the primary producers do. Omnivores eat both herbivores and
carnivores. Human beings are omnivores.
Feeding levels within an ecosystem are called trophic levels.
Each level is dependent on the other. Energy is not cycled through
an ecosystem. It is used and dispersed. The levels are necessary
for the dispersal of energy. Decomposers or "scavengers"
are also part of an ecosystem. Their primary function is to cycle
nutrients. They are responsible for the breaking down of organisms
into organic compounds, which are added to the nutrient reservoir.
Nutrients are cycled through the system.
Reproduce a model of an ecosystem (aquatic or not) complete
with labels depicting structure and function. Include at least
one producer, consumer and decomposer.
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Plastic 2-liter bottle
small rocks
soil or sand
water
small live plant(s)
small live animals representing each level of the ecosystem such
as worms, crickets, grasshoppers, lizards or newts
UV light source
Internet access or appropriate books for research of ecosystems |
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1.Conduct research to define the following terms: primary
producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers, nutrient
reservoir, solar radiation, respiration, biomass.
2. Write at least two pages describing the ecosystem; you
will create a model of. Explain about energy and how it is transferred
within an ecosystem and answer the following questions as part
of your paper: Why is the sun so important? How does each level
depend on the other? What is the biomass of a system?
3. Create your model of an ecosystem!
4. Observe your model each day and write about how the various
organisms are interacting.
5. Continue to do this for at least two weeks. Turn in observations
in the form of a journal. (If you have access to computer software,
this journal should be produced using the computer).
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| Was your ecosystem healthy after two weeks? Why
or why not? In your ecosystem, where did oxygen come from, the
plants or animals? Where were nutrients produced; by whom? |
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Draw a diagram to show the relationship between all of the
living things in your ecosystem model.
Discuss where human beings can be found in an ecosystem model
and why we are found there.
Make a list of ten animals and classify them as producer,
consumer, or decomposer. Consumers should also identified as
carnivores, herbivores or omnivores.
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