Exploring Ecosystems

Introduction

Exploring ecosystems involves understanding the intricate relationships between living organisms (biotic factors) and their non-living environment (abiotic factors) within a specific area, such as a forest, ocean, or desert. 

Task

The end product will be a multimedia presentation (such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or a video) that you will present to the class.

By the end of this WebQuest, you should be able to:

  1. Identify different types of ecosystems (e.g., forest, desert, ocean, etc.).

  2. Understand how organisms in an ecosystem interact with each other and their environment.

  3. Explore human impact on ecosystems.

  4. Use online resources to gather accurate and relevant information.

Process

Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Choose Your Ecosystem: Choose one ecosystem to study from the list below:

    • Tropical Rainforest

    • Desert

    • Ocean

    • Grassland

    • Arctic Tundra

    • Freshwater (Rivers and Lakes)

  2. Research Your Ecosystem: Use the following websites to gather information about the chosen ecosystem:

    Some key information to look for:

    • What are the climate and weather conditions like in the ecosystem?

    • What plants and animals live there?

    • How do organisms in the ecosystem depend on each other?

    • What threats does the ecosystem face? (e.g., pollution, deforestation, climate change)

  3. Create Your Presentation: After conducting your research, create a multimedia presentation that includes the following:

    • An introduction to your chosen ecosystem (e.g., location, climate).

    • Information about the types of plants and animals in the ecosystem.

    • An explanation of the relationships between the organisms and the environment.

    • A section on human impact, including both positive and negative effects.

    • Visual aids such as images, maps, and graphs to enhance your presentation.

  4. Presentation: Present your findings to the class. Be prepared to answer questions from your peers about your ecosystem.

Evaluation
Criteria Excellent (4) Good (3) Satisfactory (2) Needs Improvement (1)
Content Knowledge Thorough understanding of the ecosystem with detailed facts and examples. Good understanding with clear explanations but missing some details. Basic understanding, but some information is incomplete or unclear. Lacks understanding, major details missing.
Organization Information is well-organized and logically presented. Information is organized but slightly disjointed. Organization is somewhat unclear, hard to follow. Disorganized, hard to understand the main points.
Visuals Excellent use of visuals (images, graphs, maps, etc.) to support the presentation. Good use of visuals, relevant and clear. Few visuals used or some visuals do not add value. No visuals or irrelevant visuals used.
Creativity and Engagement Highly engaging, creative, and unique. Interesting and creative, but lacks some engagement. Presentation is somewhat engaging, lacks creativity. Unengaging, lacks creativity or effort.
Human Impact Section Thorough explanation of human impact with concrete examples and solutions. Clear explanation of human impact with some examples. Basic understanding of human impact, lacks depth. Human impact not addressed or poorly explained.
Conclusion

You should now understand that:

  • Ecology is a scientific approach to the study of the biosphere.

  • Ecosystems are created by the interrelationships between living organisms and the physical environments they inhabit (land, water, air). Ecosystems require a source of energy to make them work and for most, although not all, this is light from the sun.

  • To study ecosystems we have to start to identify the components involved and the interrelationships between them. We can list the living organisms by identifying the species involved.

  • Food chains and food webs are a way of mapping one type of interrelationship between the organisms in an ecosystem.

  • Human beings are part of ecosystems, as well as manipulators of ecosystems. As such we are dependent on, as well as responsible for, the ecological health of the ecosystems we inhabit.

Credits
Teacher Page

Tips for Teachers:

  • Preparation: Review the websites and resources beforehand to ensure they are appropriate and relevant for your learners.

  • Support: Offer guidance to students during their research phase, especially if they have difficulty navigating websites or understanding complex concepts.

  • Assessment: Use the provided rubric to assess each student's project. Provide constructive feedback on both content and presentation skills.

  • Extension Activities: Encourage students to explore the role of conservation organizations or research ongoing efforts to protect ecosystems globally.