Creating Food Webs for Different Ecosystems

Objective: In this collaborative activity, students will work together to create a food web for a specific
ecosystem. Each group will be assigned one type of ecosystem: Tropical rainforest, Coral reef, Grassland,
Desert, Freshwater lake or pond, Arctic tundra, Estuary, or Oceanic zone.
Materials:

- Whiteboard, chart paper, or digital presentation tool (e.g., Google Slides)

- Markers or digital drawing tools

Instructions:

1. Divide the class into small groups, with each group assigned a specific ecosystem. Make sure that each group has access to the
necessary materials for creating the food web.

2. Explain to the students that they will be creating a food web to represent the interactions between organisms in their assigned
ecosystem.

3. Instruct each group to brainstorm and identify at least six different organisms found in their assigned ecosystem. These
organisms can include plants, animals, and other organisms like fungi or bacteria. Encourage students to consider both producers
(plants or autotrophs) and consumers (herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores).

4. Once the organisms are identified, instruct each group to research and determine the primary source of food for each organism.
This will help them establish the feeding relationships within their ecosystem.

5. Ask each group to design and draw their food web on a single slide of the whiteboard, chart paper, or digital presentation tool.
They should include the names of the organisms and use arrows or lines to depict the flow of energy from one organism to
another. Emphasize the importance of including multiple food chains and interconnections among different organisms.

6. Provide guidance and support as needed, ensuring that each group understands the concept of a food web and its components.

7. Once the food webs are completed, have each group present their food web to the class. During the presentations, encourage
other students to ask questions or provide feedback on the accuracy and complexity of the food web.

8. As a class, discuss the similarities and differences between the food webs of different ecosystems. Highlight the unique
characteristics and challenges of each ecosystem in terms of energy flow and trophic interactions.

9. Conclude the activity by summarizing the importance of understanding food webs in studying ecosystem dynamics and
emphasizing the interconnectedness of all organisms within an ecosystem.

Encourage students to consider the impact of human activities and environmental factors on the stability
and balance of the food webs in their assigned ecosystems.

Grading Rubric for Food Web Collaborative Activity

Criteria | Points
-------------------- |--------
Creativity |5
Meeting Requirements |5
Complexity |5
Presentation |5
Total | 20

Explanation of Criteria:
1. Creativity (5 points):
- Demonstrates innovative and original ideas in the design and representation of the food web.
- Uses creative approaches to visually depict the relationships between organisms.
- Incorporates unique elements or features that enhance the overall presentation.
2. Meeting Requirements (5 points):
- Includes at least six different organisms from the assigned ecosystem.
- Represents the primary source of food for each organism accurately.
- Clearly shows the interconnectedness and flow of energy within the ecosystem.
3. Complexity (5 points):
- Establishes multiple food chains within the food web.
- Incorporates a diverse range of organisms, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.
- Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of trophic levels and the relationships between different organisms.
4. Presentation (5 points):
- Communicates the food web effectively, with clear labels and arrows depicting energy flow.
- Organizes the information in a visually appealing and logical manner.
- Uses proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation in any written components.
- Presents the food web with clarity, confidence, and engagement.