Activities

2. If an ecosystem is where there are living and non-living organisms, which of these is not an example of an ecosystem? Explain your thoughts for each.
   
   1. desert
   2. mountain goat
   3. a fish aquarium in a classroom
      
      
3. Ecosystems transfer energy. In your own words, where do each or these get its energy? Give an example in your response.
   
   1. producers
   2. consumers
   3. decomposers
      
      
4. Label the following as a producer, consumer, or decomposer
   
   1. Fungus
   2. Bacteria
   3. Shark
   4. Algae
   5. Redwood tree
   6. Woodpecker

5. Draw a small ecosystem. Label 2 living/biotic things and 2 non-living/abiotic things.
   
   
6. Use a magazine to create a collage. Have living organisms on one side and non-living on the other.
   
   
7. A terrarium is “a glass or plastic box that is used for growing plants or keeping small animals indoors.” Explain how a terrarium contains an entire ecosystem.

8. Write a creative story about what would happen to the world if there were no consumers in the world.
   Here are some questions to get you thinking:

• • How would producers change, or not change?
  • What would it be like if humans and other animals could make their own food?
  • Would competition change? Who would complete and what would they compete for?

9. Conduct a brief experiment about how decomposers work.  
               
10. There are different types of consumers in an ecosystem: herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. TASK: Research each type and give an example. (Be sure to explain the habitat and typical diet.)

Answer Key/Rubric

1. 1. b
   2. a
   3. c

2. a.  desert- a biome or habitat that does not receive very much rain fall, can be very hot, or cold; could be described as an ecosystem because there are organisms that make its home there
   b.  mountain goat- a singular organism, it must have a place to live to survive and also organisms to feed on because it is a consumer
   c.  a fish aquarium in a classroom- would be an example of an ecosystem if there was both living and non-living things

3. 
   
   1. Producers get energy from the sun, i.e. plants (rare cases- from heat sources, chemosynthesis)
   2. Consumers get energy from other plants or animals, i.e. humans, bears, bees
   3. Decomposers get their energy from feeding off of dead organisms, i.e. fungi, bacteria
      
      
4. 
   
   1. Fungus- decomposer
   2. Bacteria- decomposer
   3. Shark- consumer
   4. Algae- producer
   5. Redwood tree- producer
   6. Woodpecker- consumer

5. Students answers will vary- teacher will evaluate if student correctly labels living things and nonliving

6. Students answers will vary- teacher will evaluate if student correctly classifies living things and nonliving

7. Students answers will vary- A terrarium contains an entire ecosystem because it has both living and non-living things. For example the plant is living however the non-living things include the air, water cycling through, and the dirt

8. Suggested Rubric: This rubric may be used to assess a student’s overall mastery of the standard or eligible content:

9. Suggested Rubric: This rubric may be used to assess a student’s overall mastery of the standard or eligible content:

10. Suggested Rubric: This rubric may be used to assess a student’s overall mastery of the standard or eligible content: