Lessons On Food Webs: Step 1 - You'll Run A Less Than Real L

Lessons Food Web Step 1first Youll Run A Less Than Real Life Sc

Choose one organism from each trophic level to create a straight-line food chain, such as Herbivore A eating Plant A, Omnivore A eating Herbivore A, and the Top Predator eating Omnivore A. Allow Plant B to remain unaffected. Predict whether each species will survive, increase, or decrease in number, and whether Plant B will survive until the end. Record these predictions and run the simulation twice to compare actual outcomes with your predictions.

After running the simulation, take a screenshot of the ecosystem's end state. Answer questions regarding the accuracy of your predictions, the reasoning behind your predictions, and differences observed between expected and actual results. Consider what would happen if the producers in this ecosystem died out. Identify species that increased in number and discuss factors that could cause this increase, as well as species that decreased and potential reasons for their decline. Evaluate which populations benefit most from decomposers, which help recycle nutrients and support overall ecosystem health.

Lessons > Food Web > Step 2

Next, experiment with a more realistic, interconnected ecosystem by clicking the "all on" button to display complex predator-prey relationships and energy transfer pathways. Predict which species will die out, increase, or decrease, then run the simulation twice and record the outcomes. Attempt to modify these relationships to ensure all species survive, document the changes made, and understand the decision-making process behind these adjustments.

Take a screenshot of the ecosystem's final state after modifications. Reflect on whether your predictions matched actual results, how you arrived at your predictions, and the differences observed. Analyze whether you managed to modify the predator-prey relationships to guarantee species survival. Explain the criteria used to decide which relationships to alter, and describe how energy flows through the ecosystem—specifically, how eating an organism transfers energy from prey to predator, supporting survival and reproduction.

Paper For Above instruction

The study of food webs provides critical insights into the complexity of ecological interactions and energy flow within ecosystems. In these simulations, initial exercises involve simplified models where a linear food chain is established, allowing students to predict and observe how species populations respond to individual interactions. Such foundational activities reinforce understanding of trophic levels, predator-prey relationships, and the role of producers in supporting herbivores and higher trophic levels.

In the first part of the activity, students select specific organisms representing different trophic levels, creating a direct food chain. Predictions related to the survival and population changes of each species are made based on ecological principles; for example, if a predator's prey population decreases, the predator may also decline due to lack of food. Conversely, if the prey population increases, the predator's population might grow. Running the simulations helps validate or challenge these predictions, illustrating ecological dynamics and the importance of balance within food chains.

The second part incorporates more complexity, mimicking real ecosystems with multiple interconnected pathways. Allowing all predator-prey relationships to be active ("all on" mode) reveals the web-like structure of energy transfer. Predictions become more challenging but more representative of real ecosystems. Modifying these relationships to ensure the survival of all species involves strategic adjustments, such as changing predator preferences or introducing new prey avenues, illustrating the concept of ecosystem management and resilience.

Energy flow within these ecosystems is fundamental, as it explains how organisms survive and reproduce. When a predator consumes prey, energy stored in the prey's biomass is transferred to the predator, supporting its metabolic needs. Decomposers play a crucial role in recycling nutrients from dead organisms, enriching the soil and enabling plants to grow, thus sustaining the producers in the web. This nutrient recycling ensures a continuous flow of energy and matter, maintaining ecosystem stability.

Understanding these dynamics through simulated food webs aids in grasping ecological principles, such as the impact of species extinctions, invasive species introductions, and habitat changes. It highlights the delicate balance necessary for ecosystem sustainability and the interconnectedness of all organisms within it. Ultimately, these modeling activities deepen ecological literacy, fostering appreciation for biodiversity and ecosystem services essential for life on Earth.

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