Heading
Name:
Group Member(s):
Mini Ecosystem Study
Purpose:
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
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To study two different mini ecosystems which exist on our school grounds.
To compare them by analyzing biotic and abiotic factors which exist within these two
different mini ecosystems.
To analyze the human impact on these two ecosystems.
Ecosystem I : school yard (outside the S-wing)
Ecosystem II: woodland area (across Lines Drive, near Lines School)
Claim: In the space below, write a claim stating how you think the biotic and abiotic factors in these two mini
ecosystems will compare.
If we observe the two mini ecosystems listed above, then they will be similar in this/these way(s)…
__________________________________________________________________________________________
because…___________________________________________________________________________________
the ecosystems will be different in this/these way(s)…
___________________________________________________________________________________________
because…___________________________________________________________________________________
Day I Directions: Fill in the information below as you examine the first ecosystem.
Type of ecosystem (give a very detailed description of the location) :
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Data Chart I: Biotic Factors - Complete the data chart on the next page, using the directions below. Be as specific
as possible.
Column 1: Organism/plant description – describe the organism/plant as best as you can. If you know its common
name (ex: grass, dandelion, red ant) you can put that in this column. You will start a new row for each new
organism/plant you find.
Column 2: Qualitative observations – describe at least two observations you make of the organism/plant in this
column.
Column 3: Population number (Quantitative observations) – you can use tally marks to note the number of
organisms in the population. If you believe that there are more than 50 you can just put > 50. Don’t spend the
time counting populations that are larger than this.
***see the directions on the other side for details on how to properly complete Data Chart I: Biotic Factors.
Data Chart I: Biotic Factors
Organism / plant description
Qualitative Observations
of the organism/plant (at least 2 for each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Data Chart II: Abiotic factors
List two different abiotic factors found in mini ecosystem #1.
1.
2.
Quantitative Observations
Population number
Day II Directions: Fill in the information below as you examine the second ecosystem.
Type of ecosystem (give a very detailed description of the location) :
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
***see the directions on the front page for details on how to properly complete Data Chart I: Biotic Factors.
Data Chart I: Biotic Factors - Complete the data chart below. Be as specific as possible.
Qualitative Observations
Quantitative Observations
Organism / plant description
of the organism/plant (at least two for each)
Population number
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Data Chart II: Abiotic factors
List two abiotic factors found in mini ecosystem #2.
1.
2.
Name –
Science # –
Due Date-
Complete the questions below in the spaces provided.
A. Was your claim correct? Why or why not?
B. How did your two mini ecosystems compare? Include the difference/similarities in biotic, abiotic factors, population
numbers, etc.
C. Describe in detail the community of organisms you observed while in the school courtyard.
D. Why is it important to observe the abiotic factors when studying an ecosystem?
E. Would you consider the woodland (mini ecosystem #1) healthy? Why or why not?
F. Would you consider the school yard (mini ecosystem #2) healthy? Why or why not?
G. What signs of human influence (positive or negative) did you see while completing this ecosystem project?