Gorsic -Sci 10 Term 1
Freshwater Ecosystem in a Jar – “ECOJAR”
An Ecojar is used to represent a small ecosystem. As the jar ecosystem progressed,
questions and challenges arose - ohhh the endless endeavors of science. (100
marks)
The following is the assignment for this practical project.
Using the steps of scientific method as the guideline, complete the following as a typed
report. Be sure to include each section in your report. I have completed some sections.
Question
What conditions are needed in an “ecojar” to keep a fish,snail and plant alive?
Hypothesis
If the abiotic conditions are within range of survival then the Ecojar organisms
should live.
Gather information:
1. (15 marks) Collect resources that will aid in the success of the ecosystem
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Biotic information
Ideal Abiotic Conditions
Describe the organism, Distinguishing
features, habitat
Their role in the ecojar
Include a picture of the cloud white, elodea
and ramshorn
(temperature., pH, alkalinity, dissolved O2,
turbidity, amount of sunlight,
White cloud fish
Elodea Plant (freshwater)
Ramshorn snail
Nitrifying Bacteria
Algae
2. (10 marks) Create a food web that shows all the connections of the above biotic
organisms. Be sure to show the arrows indicating the energy flow. Indicate the trophic level
each belongs to.
Perform the Experiment (Plan and Construct)
3. (15 marks) Show the design of your ecojar. Label the jar (how big is the jar in litres),
gravel (how many cm on the bottom), fish, snail, plant (how many stems), location of the
bacteria and algae, how much water you used (take a good estimate in mL). Include the
initial location of your jar in the classroom and reasoning. Keep the organisms to scale.
4. (10 marks) Identify how the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle work in your Ecojar.
Indicate the cycle as a diagram within the jar design
Observations and Revisions made
Observations: quantitative observations and descriptions of the environement or how the
organisms the effect on the organisms
Revisions: What changes did you do on that date (i.e. fed the fish, moved the jar, took the
lid off, changed the water, place an aerator in the jar
5. Complete the table (10 marks)
Quanitative Observations
Date
Dissolved
pH
O2 (mg/L)
Qualitative Observations
Temp. (oC) Animal
Your
Behaviour actions
6. (10 marks) Make a line graph showing the variables - O2, temperature and pH
X axis will show the dates and the y-axis indicates the three variables
Analyse the Data
7. (10 marks)
i) Describe any trends either to the biotic or abiotic factors.
ii) Identify any changes in the abiotic or biotic factors when revisions were made.
Discussion
8. (10 marks) Identify possible factors that contributed to the results you ended up with
and describe the impact.
Conclusion
9. (2 marks) Did your results support or not support the hypothesis? Explain
10. (2 Marks) If you were to do the project again, what would you do differently?
11. (4 marks) What did you enjoy about the project, what did you find frustrating? Explainbe honest.
12. (2 marks) Do you recommend this project be done in future classes? What other
activity would you have liked to have done?
Resources
You must give credit to where you obtained (stole) your information
from. Identify the Name of the site, the URL and the date (if possible).
Show me you’ve looked further than Wikepedia – the untrusted site.