for Mr. William Pirani School: East Windsor Jr/Sr High School     Location: East Windsor   CT Grade(s): 8th Grade Science     Click here to send an e-mail to Mr. William Pirani Notes last updated: Tue Feb 27 12:11:16 EST 2001     Visits: 776

Let's Explore Some Ecosystems   This lesson is going to deal with two ecosystems.  Use the links you will find on the page to explore Ecosystems. Start with the link below to find out what an ecosystem is. Read the paragraphs entitled The Ecosystem  and  The Food Web and Other Vital Cycles.  Take notes on what you read, then answer the questions below. ECOSYSTEMS 1. What are the three components that make up an ecosystem needed to sustain life? 2. An ecosystem is limited by what characteristics of the environment? 3. The energy needed for all life on this planet  comes from where? 4. What do plants do during photosynthesis? 5. What is a food chain? Now that you know what an ecosystem and a food web are, lets explore a common ecosystem found in New England, the Coniferous Forest. Click on the picture of the eagle to learn about this ecosystem. Now that you have done some research on a coniferous forest, answer the following questions. 1. Name four species of trees that make up a northern coniferous forest. 2. What is a taigia? 3. Why are the soils of coniferous forests poor and high in acid? Click on our little forest friend to learn about the animal life found in northern coniferous forests.   Answer the essay below in complete sentences.  Using the map which shows the locations of northern coniferous forests, ddescribe the climate of the part of the world where this type of ecosystem is found. What would be some of the characteristics of the animal life found in these forest? Give reasons for your answers.     Let's Explore Wetlands Wetlands are one of the most important and interesting ecosystems on our planet. Click on Mr. Froggy  to learn about wetlands. Take notes on your research then answer the following questions.  What is a wetland?  How do water lilies differ from duckweed?  How does the African lung fish survive in the summer when it's habitat dries up and how long can it survive?     Essay: Above is an illustration of a wetland food web. Study it closely. Why are wetlands thought of as "biological supermarkets?" Be sure your answer is detailed and includes examples taken from the illustration to support your reasons why wetlands are thought of as biological supermarkets. America's wetlands are one of its most important resources. Use the swan to show you the way to find out why, then answer the questions below. Where in America are wetlands found? How much of America's wetlands have been destroyed?  Why have we destroyed these wetlands? Give five reasons why wetlands are so important to us.

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