Name: Biology
MICRO-ECOSYSTEMS LAB
Materials needed:
o Clear plastic container
o Cover
o Possible samples:
§ Gravel, sand and rocks
§ Soil
§ Seeds
§ Fungus
§ Local plants - mosses, ferns, small herbaceous plants
§ Pond samples - plants, water and pond bottom
§ Possible animals - snails, pillbugs, earthworms, minnows
Purpose
The purpose of this project is the construction of functional micro-ecosystems that model naturally occurring ecosystems. The underlying principles of the structure and function of ecosystems will be studied and explored in class. The creation of micro-ecosystems will provide you with the opportunity to apply your understanding of these concepts. Ecosystems involve the interaction of living and non-living factors and the establishment of complex relationships between organisms and their environment over long periods of time. Ideally the micro-ecosystems should mimic what occurs in natural systems and should also reach a state of equilibrium or stability at some point.
Groups of 3-4 students will work on a single ecosystem. Observation of the micro-ecosystems will occur for the rest of the semester. The micro-ecosystem is limited by the size of the container and the sealing of the tank so that only light may enter. Careful planning by the group will help in the creation of a functional ecosystem. Continuing observations of your ecosystem during the semester will enable you to see how well your design actually functions.
PROCEDURES
1. A plastic container will be assigned to your group. The container will be completely sealed from the outside environment. You can choose to develop any type of ecosystem (land, water, combination) supported by the size of the container.
2. Use the textbook and class notes/discussions to determine what types of components to consider for your specific ecosystem. You must include producers, consumers and decomposers as well as any materials needed for their survival.
3. Carefully plan the ecosystem with regard to the following: matter and energy requirements, types of organisms, and size of populations. Think about the balance which should be established eventually. A plan must be approved before actual construction of the ecosystem begins.
4. Available materials from previous tanks or field trips and any purchased materials will be cataloged in class. Any other materials you decide upon must be provided by your group.
6. Plan an appropriate message for next year’s students to be placed in a time capsule in the micro-ecosystem.
The micro--ecosystems will be temporarily sealed and observed for several days before final sealing. This will allow you to make an "adjustments" if necessary. Sealing the lids onto the tanks with duct tape will be performed in class
OBSERVATIONS
Written observations of the conditions in your ecosystems and the change and interactions between the living things will be continuous and on-going over the course of the semester. Try to explain most of the changes that you observe and draw some tentative conclusions concerning the stability of your ecosystem.
ASSESSMENT:
· ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE (Abiotic and biotic parts):
o Identify all LIVING AND NON-LIVING PARTS of the micro-ecosystem.
o Discuss the role of each organism and how all of the organisms will interact with one another to support a successful ecosystem.
·
· ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION:
o Briefly describe how you accounted for the water, carbon dioxide-oxygen, and nutrogen cycles.
o Indicate ENERGY FLOW by a food chain
·
· PREDICITON: Write a brief prediction for the future of your ecosystem in terms of the processes that you expect to occur. How will your system change through the seasons? What kind of stability can you predict for your micro-ecosystem? How long will this take (1 month? 3 months? 1 year?)
Names:
MICRO-ECOSYSTEMS GRADING RUBRIC
EXCELLENT (10) / GOOD (8.5) / FAIR (7)Abiotic Factors / Students account for all important abiotic factors and include the importance of each for the success of the ecosystem / Students list the abiotic factors but do not fully explain their importance OR Some factors not identified or explained / Students do not account for several important abiotic factors OR Importance of abiotic factors not discussed
Biotic Factors / Ecosystem has a balance of biotic factors including producers, consumers and decomposers. Size of populations are considered and discussed. Interactions between these groups are explained. / Ecosystem contains producers, consumers and decomposers. Size of populations may not be thought out and/or interactions between the groups is not adequately explained. / Ecosystem may be missing one or more important components and/or size of one population may be grossly out of proportion or interactions are not accounted for or explained.
Energy Flow / A food chain which represents the components of the ecosystem is present, supported by #s of organisms at each level and clearly indicates the way energy will move / Food chain is present but understanding of how energy moves through the ecosystem is unclear or incomplete. / Food chain present but numbers or types of organisms do not indicate understanding of energy flow
Cycles / All cycles are accounted for and described in terms of the organisms involved & their importance within this ecosystem / One cycle is missing OR Descriptions are incomplete / Two or more cycles missing and/or descriptions are brief/incomplete
Predictions / Predictions are well thought out and indicate understanding of community stability / Predictions are good with some details missing or incomplete understanding of stability / Predictions do not demonstrate an understanding of succession or community stability