This is a guide for your ecosystem study work. You can also find the file for download in the Materials -> Files -> Workhseets section of the twinspace, in a a variety of formats.

You can also download it here in .odt format

 

 

ECOSYSTEM WORKSHEET

 

Part 1: General Description

 

1.- Ecosystem type (terrestrial, aquatic, salty water, fresh water)

 

2.- Position. Locate it:

- Latitude/Longitude

- On an local map

- In relation to the school (distance)

- In aerial photos

 

3.- Production of a Ecosystem approximate map, showing

         - Orientation

- Remarkable structures, both natural and artificial such as: rock formation, mountains and buildings nearby, forests or tree groups.

- Human action: positive and negative

- Approximate area

 

4.- Take pictures of the area to study. Try to show pollution remains and state of conservation, human action…

 

 

Part 2: Analysis of Abiotic factors

 

1.- Production of a climograph of the area to study.

 

2.- Data taking (atmospheric conditions):

 

- Air, ground and water temperature (in case of aquatic medium)

- Clouds: Type and cover, wind: speed and direction, environmental humidity

 

3. Identification and description of the analyzed rocks. Pictures for the blog

 

4.-Study of the ground:

 

- Terrestrial ecosystem:

• “In situ” study of the ground and its features with magnifying glasses to identify the size of its particles (gravel, sand, clay....)

• Afterwards, classification of the organic and inorganic components in the lab by using binocular magnifying glasses

 

- Marine or lake/river ecosystem;

• Study and description of its particles (sand, stilt).

• Classification in the lab according to size shape and colour together with their origin (organic and inorganic)

 

- Production of a granulometry of the samples in the lab

 

 

Part 3: Study of Biotic factors

 

1.- Producers

 

- Moss, ferns and lichens:

• Look for them and show their position on the map, pointing out their orientation and cover. Description and afterwards classification in the lab.

• Search for information, in the classroom, about the lichens, as a bio indicator

 

- Herbaceus plants:

• Classification or description of 3 herbaceous plants, in case they've got flowers, describe them.

 

- Tree specimens:

• Drawings and descriptions of 3 different tree specimens, paying attention to the size and shape of each leave, bark and also flowers and fruits (if they are present)

 

- Algae (in aquatic ecosystems):

• Describe 2 of each type (green, brown or red).

• Prepare an ecosystem profile and point out their position.

• Take photos and samples (if possible), to later classify them in the lab

• Produce a small algae guide

 

2.- Consumers/Animals:

 

- Invertebrates:

• Look for 2 specimens in each group, take photos and videos showing their movements

• Anatomic description of each one

• Sort out samples (shells)

 

 

-Vertebrates:

• Identify and look for traces (using simple guides)

• Production of info cards: Usual and scientific name, features, way of living

 

**Watch out! Neither hurt the specimen nor damage its habitat.

 

3.- Decomposers:

 

- Fungi :

• Samples picking up, description and photo taking.

• Classification in the lab.

• Search information about the role of fungi in the ecosystems and the use of fungi in the food industry, human diet...

 

 

 

Part 4: Relationship and adjustment to the habitat

 

- Production of trophic chains with the found living creatures and creation of a possible food web with them.

 

- Find information about inter specific relationships such as mutual, symbiosis, parasitism.....you can find in your ecosystem. Description of them.

 

- Look for examples of adjustment to the habitat among the studied species, such as humidity, saltiness, wind...

 

Part 5: Invasive species

 

- Research about the presence of invasive species in the area, and look for information about the potential consequences of their presence together with the existence of eradication programmes

 

- Try to find, at least, two examples of those species, describe them, and tell about their origin and their possible effects in the ecosystem.

 

 

 

Part 6: Pollution and Changes study

 

- Waste collection during visit and afterwards classification at school

- Plastic: Pick up samples and classification in the lab. Research about the effects of the plastic in the aquatic ecosystems.

-Picture collecting of the area in the last decades, to produce a small work about its evolution. Critical analysis and approach of the possible corrective measures