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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

Wetland Curriculum Resource
Unit 3. Ecology - Activities

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:

  1. Make a list of organisms that are found in a pond. Include plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and decomposers.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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:

  1. Why are plants called producers?
  2. Is energy gained or lost as you move up a food chain? Explain how you reached this decision.
  3. 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:

  1. What is the ratio of the third-order consumers to the producers?
  2. What is the ratio of first-order consumers to the third- order consumers?
  3. If 100 minnows consumed 1000 algae plants, how many dragonflies will be provided with energy?
  4. If 1000 dragonflies consume 2 units of energy each, how many units of energy will they supply to the bullfrog?
  5. 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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