Ecology Activity 6 What have we been studying

Ecology Activity 6

What have we been studying? Refer back to the Graphic Organizer Chart (Observation-Thought-Question, Claim. Evidence) Student Page 5 A We have been examining normal interactions and patterns that happen in ecosystems

List What kinds of human actions might alter or disturb interactions and patterns in an ecosystem?

What activities could impact your Lake Ecosystem?

Student page 6 a; fish only die once Read the story and consider how humans might “inadvertently” change an ecosystem

Student page 6 b: mosquitofish behavior • Underline every place where there is a possible interaction with another organism. • “Non-native” or “exotic species” means an organisms that is introduced to an ecosystem where it has never lived. • It becomes an “invasive” species if it aggressively establishes itself in an ecosystem by interfering with the natural interactions between the native species and its normal functions.

If the mosquitofish eats __________ then this will affect _____________. As a result, the population of ___________ may (increase or decrease). The mosquitofish will compete with _____ because they will both try to prey upon ______. This may lead to ____________. The predator prey relationship that usually exists between ____ and _______ may be

Student page 6 c: Mosquitofish trophic level card • Read and compare the feeding and nesting behaviors of mosquitofish and bluegill in a Lake Ecosystem. • Discuss whether you believe there would be any competition between mosquitofish and bluegill.

How might the trophic level pyramid be affected?

Niche- role an organism plays in the food chain • Compare the role that bluegill play and the role that mosquitofish play • How will this impact the normal patterns and interactions between the largemouth bass and the bluegill?

think • Describe how these two organisms might compete for the same resources • How might this affect your food chain diagrams and energy flow through the ecosystem?

Could your pond ecosystem support both bluegill and mosquitofish? Why or why not?

Draw this chart What I see What it means

Carrying capacity What’s the carrying capacity of largemouth bass? What’s the carrying capacity of bluegill?

What might happen if more fish were added into the system?

Closing thought • How do human interactions disrupt normal patters and interactions in ecosystems? It disrupts energy flow, predator-prey interactions, population cycles may be impacted