Big Ideas:
Ecosystems are made up of biotic and abiotic elements that depend on each other
Ecosystems are in a constant state of change
Human activities have the potential to alter the environment
Ecosystems are in a constant state of change
Human activities have the potential to alter the environment
Summative/Final Project
Students have been introduced briefly to their final task, to begin gathering materials/planning for construction of either a
- Model Ecosystem containing abiotic components (non-living) or
- Model Ecosystem containing biotic components (living) or
- Classroom Bulletin Board/Interactive wall showcasing the unit's most essential lessons/teachings
Choose an ecosystem that has been impacted by human interaction. Create a model ecosystem (can also be done digitally) showing the impact humans have had on that ecosystem (i.e. what it looked like before and what it looks like after the human interaction/ change). Make sure to include abiotic and biotic elements and the interactions between them, including the roles of producers (autotrophs), consumers (heterotrophs) and decomposers (detritivores).
YOU WILL HAND IN:
1) A model ecosystem: This can be a real ecosystem in a container/bottle, a diorama, an illustration that you have drawn, a power point slideshow of pictures, or any other creative idea you may have!
Your model ecosystem must show:
2) A 1 - 2 page description of your model ecosystem that explains:
YOU WILL HAND IN:
1) A model ecosystem: This can be a real ecosystem in a container/bottle, a diorama, an illustration that you have drawn, a power point slideshow of pictures, or any other creative idea you may have!
Your model ecosystem must show:
- what the ecosystem looks like before and after the interaction
- abiotic and biotic factors that are labeled
- producers, consumers, decomposers that are labeled
- an example food chain that is labeled
2) A 1 - 2 page description of your model ecosystem that explains:
- the human interaction that caused the change (e.g. forest fire, logging, etc.)
- the costs and/or benefits of the interaction
- the ways in which the parts of the ecosystem (abiotic and biotic) are connected, and how a change in one factor changes the others
- a solution for protecting or preserving the ecosystem