Exploring the Wonders of Ecology

• Science
• 8th Grade

Exploring the Wonders of Ecology

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you should be able to explain the basic principles of ecology.

This slide should be displayed first to give the students a clear understanding of what they are expected to learn by the end of the lesson.

What do you already know about the interrelationships between living things?

What is Ecology?

Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Use this slide to introduce the concept and definition of ecology to the students.

The Levels of Organization

Ecology is organized into different levels, from individual organisms to the biosphere.

Use this slide to show the different levels of organization in ecology and give examples for each level.

Levels of Organization in Detail

- Organism: An individual living thing. For an example an alligator.

- Population: A group of the same species that lives in the same area. For example a group of alligators that live in a swamp.

- Community: A group of different species that live in the same area. For example a population of frogs and alligators that live in a swamp.

- Ecosystem: All the living things in one area as well as the non living things like climate, water, and rocks. Ecosystems can vary in size. An ecosystem can be national park or a puddle.

- Biome: A major regional or global community of organisms. Biomes are characterized by the plants and climate conditions found there. For example tundra or desert.

What is a population?

1. An individual living thing
2. All the living things in one area as well as the non-living things
3. A group of the same species that lives in the same area
4. A group of different species that live in the same area

What is a biome?

1. All the living things in one area as well as the non-living things
2. A group of different species that live in the same area
3. An individual living thing
4. A major regional or global community of organisms

What is an ecosystem?

1. A group of the same species that lives in the same area
2. A group of different species that live in the same area
3. A major regional or global community of organisms
4. All living and non-living things in an area

Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem, while biotic factors are living components.

Use this slide to introduce the concept of abiotic and biotic factors, and provide examples for each.

Food Chains and Food Webs

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another. A food web is a network of interconnected food chains.

Use this slide to explain the concepts of food chains and food webs, and give examples for each.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

Human activities such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change can have a negative impact on ecosystems.

Use this slide to discuss the impact of human activities on ecosystems, and provide examples for each.

What are the ecological consequences of climate change in the photo shown on the previous slide?

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Cheese Experiment

We are going to experiment to see if we can make cheese out of milk using school milk, vinegar, and a microwave.

We will have two variations 2% milk and chocolate milk.