Project Task/Procedure Part I Food Chains, Food Webs, and Energy Pyramids

Ecosystems and Energy Flow Project

Objective: Demonstrate your knowledge about the flow of energy in two ecosystems through the construction of various food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids.

Project Task/Procedure Part I — Food Chains, Food Webs, and Energy Pyramids:

1. Select one ecosystem. You may use the list of ecosystems provided by your teacher. You may have to do some research on the ecosystem to complete this project.

Your Ecosystem: ______

2. Create a list below of 20 or more organisms that inhabit this ecosystem. Your lists should include different varieties of organisms. You should also have a variety of producers and consumers.

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3. Using the organisms from your lists above, construct at least three food chains for each ecosystem in the space provided below. For each food chain, label ALL the following: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, decomposers, detritivores, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and trophic level.

Food Chain #1:

Food Chain #2:

Food Chain #3:

4. In the space below, put at least 12 of your organisms together in a food web. Add arrows showing the direction of energy flow.

5. Answer the following analysis questions regarding the food web for your ecosystem write in complete sentences and give descriptive answers:

a. If a great number of producers within the ecosystem died, how would this affect the numbers of the other organisms within the ecosystem?

b. If all but a few tertiary consumers within the ecosystem died, how would this affect the numbers of the other organisms within the ecosystem?

c. If many new plants and trees are introduced into the ecosystem, how will this affect the numbers of the other organisms within the ecosystem?

d. If half of the primary consumers have a disease and die, how will this affect the numbers of the other organisms within the ecosystem?

6. In the space below, construct an ecological pyramid for your ecosystem. Include at least nine organisms in the energy pyramid. Label each level of the pyramid with the correct trophic level. Label each level of the pyramid with the correct type of producer or consumer. Assume the lowest level of the pyramid has 100,000 units of energy. Label the units of energy that will be transferred up to the remaining levels of the pyramid.

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