Living or Non-Living?
Now, as an ecologist, you know that ecosystems are made up of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors. Watch the video below to learn about the difference between biotic and abiotic, and how they rely on each other to survive.
... Have you watched it? Great! Now make sure you can remember what you learned. Take the Biotic vs. Abiotic Quiz linked below!
Biotic vs. Abiotic Quiz
Biotic vs. Abiotic Quiz
The Food Chain
Every food chain or web (many food chains that overlap) contains producers, consumers, and decomposers. Just what are these? Watch this BrainPOP video to gain a better understanding of how ecosystems work. When you've finished, test your knowledge on producers, consumers, and decomposers with the game I've linked below. Try to get them all right!
Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers Game
Got a good idea of what they are? Great! Let's practice putting them in a chain now! You'll need to have a good understanding of food chains when you create your own ecosystem.
Food Chain Game
This one's a bit harder, but it will help you answer your challenge question. Your goal in the activity below is to create and sustain a food chain. Both you and your partner can play this one at the same time! How long can you keep your food chain alive?
Food Fight! A Food Chain Game
Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers Game
Got a good idea of what they are? Great! Let's practice putting them in a chain now! You'll need to have a good understanding of food chains when you create your own ecosystem.
Food Chain Game
This one's a bit harder, but it will help you answer your challenge question. Your goal in the activity below is to create and sustain a food chain. Both you and your partner can play this one at the same time! How long can you keep your food chain alive?
Food Fight! A Food Chain Game
Habitat
Before you create your ecosystem, you'll need to decide what biome your ecosystem will live in. There are two types of biomes: Aquatic, or water biomes, and terrestrial, or land biomes. Click on a biome below to learn more about it, and decide which biome you'd like to create your ecosystem in. Each page will tell you what kind of plants and animals live in that biome, and what the weather is like there. You can use this information to decide what your producers, consumers, and decomposers will be.
AQUATIC BIOMES
|
*If you cannot figure out what decomposers live in the biome you chose, email me! They may not be listed, and I will be happy to help you. My email is at the bottom of the Introduction page.*
ALL RIGHT! You're ready to create your ecosystem! I have put supplies in the back of the room under the sign "Create an Ecosystem." You are free to use anything you find in the box, but remember to clean up when you're done! And as always, email me if you have any questions! I can't wait to see what you've created!