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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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3.8 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
(Level: 4 : 7: 10 acad : Food Webs)
Purpose: To build a model food chain with organisms found
in a pond and to look at how energy is used.
What You Need: string :: index cards :: tape ::
scissors :: pencil crayons and/or markers
What You Do:
- Make a list of organisms that are found in a pond. Include
plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and
decomposers.
- Write the name of each organism on an index card and include
a coloured sketch. Make sure to include a card for the energy
source of a food chain.
- Arrange the cards in the correct order to make a food chain.
Using the tape, connect the index cards with pieces of string to
illustrate the different feeding levels.
- Beneath each organism's name, include the role that it plays
in a food chain, as a producer, first-order consumer, top
carnivore, scavenger, or decomposer.
Questions:
- Why are plants called producers?
- Is energy gained or lost as you move up a food chain? Explain
how you reached this decision.
- What is the difference between a scavenger and a
decomposer?
Click here to see the answers to these questions.
Click here to see the list of activities for this unit.
Extension:
Study the following food pyramid and answer the questions
below:
Questions:
- What is the ratio of the third-order consumers to the
producers?
- What is the ratio of first-order consumers to the third-
order consumers?
- If 100 minnows consumed 1000 algae plants, how many
dragonflies will be provided with energy?
- If 1000 dragonflies consume 2 units of energy each, how many
units of energy will they supply to the bullfrog?
- A leopard frog and garter snake provide the same amount of
energy to a bullfrog. If it takes 500 of both to supply
sufficient energy to one bullfrog over the course of a year, then
how many leopard frogs and garter snakes are needed to feed 6
bullfrogs over a one year period?
Click here to see the answers to these extension
questions.
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