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Introduction
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>Table of Contents
Contents
1. What you can do
2. Water
3. Ecology
4. Amphibians
5. Environmental Issues
6. Keystone species
7. Get Wet!- Field Study Ideas
8. The Zoo Experience
9. Frogs & Friends
10. Case Studies
11. Resources
12. Glossary
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3.1 - THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
(Level: 2 : 4 :: Wetland Habitat)
Purpose: To observe a pond ecosystem in the
classroom.
What You Need: aquarium :: living and non-living
components of a pond :: 5 pails :: dip net
What You Do:
Educators: You may wish to visit a local pond on your
own or with your class. The Field Study unit in this manual
provides further information for identifying some of the species
you collect. If you take your class with you to the pond you may
wish to have them carry out some of the activities described in
the Field Study unit.
- Visit a local pond with the pails and dip net to obtain the
following:
- Pail 1 - water
- Pail 2 - submergent plants (pondweed, Canada waterweed),
floating plants (duckweed), algae and water
- Pail 3 - invertebrates (collect from different areas in the
pond), including 10-15 snails
- Pail 4 - bottom muck
- Pail 5 - clean sand and gravel
- To set up the pond, first place clean sand and gravel in the
aquarium. Add a thin layer of muck.
- Add the water slowly to lessen the amount of mixing that will
occur. If more water is needed, regular tap water can be used,
provided it has been left standing for 2 days.
- Allow the pond to settle before adding the plants and
animals. You may need to wait 24 hours.
- Place in a well lit area, but away from direct sunlight. Keep
conditions constant.
- Return plants and animals to their original pond after your
study.
Questions:
- Try to identify all the organisms in the ecosystem, and
identify them as producers, consumers, and decomposers.
- List 5 non-living factors that can affect the organisms in
the ecosystem.
Click here to see the answers to these questions.
Click here to see the list of activities for this unit.
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