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Bottle Ecosystem Project
Description: You will construct a terr/aqua ecosystem in a two-liter pop bottle with at least one other person in
this class. The TerrAqua Column provides you with a model to explore the link between land and water. The model
has four basic components: soil, animals, water and plants. How do these components interact in a Terr-Aqua
system? (The word system indicates you are dealing with a diversity of organisms and the interactions between
them.)
Goal: You will exercise important early scientific skills, like observing, measuring, classifying, communicating data,
inferring, and predicting.
Materials
 Two 2-liter soda bottles
 Two bottle caps
 Wicking material-panty hose or cotton string
 Water
 Soil
 Sand
 Gravel
 Plants
 Animals (worm and guppy)
Bottle Preparation Procedures
1. Remove labels from the2 liter bottles. Cut the bottles 1 cm below the shoulder as shown. Make sure both
bottles are clean (use water and baking soda as the cleaner).
2.
3.
Poke or drill a 1 cm hole in the bottle cap
Thread a thoroughly wet wick strip through bottle top, invert top, and set into base. Wick should reach
bottom of reservoir and thread loosely through cap
4.
Place top of second bottle with cap on top and seal with tape (after you follow the steps below). Then
punch several holes into the sides of the bottle for air.
Aquatic habitat Procedures
1. Add a layer of sand or topsoil (2-3 cm) to the deep base.
2. Add a layer of gravel (1-2 cm) on top of the sand or topsoil.
3. Add water to a level about 1 cm below the cap of the inverted deep funnel.
4. Plant aquatic plants in the bottom sediment. A chopstick or skewer will help you push the stems or roots
into the ground.
5. Arrange “boulders” and other objects on the bottom sediment.
6. Add floating aquatic plants.
7. Add aquatic animals.
Terrestrial habitat Procedures
1. Add a layer (1-2 cm) of gravel to the deep funnel.
2. Mix equal parts of leaf litter and topsoil together, moisten, and add a layer (6-8cm) over the gravel.
3. Add terrestrial animals that burrow to the soil (e.g., worms).
4. Plant terrestrial plants in the soil.
5. Arrange “dead trees” and other objects on the soil.
6. Add terrestrial animals.
7. Establish a “water connection” between the aquatic and terrestrial habitats by holding the terrarium over
the aquarium at a slight angle and slowly pouring water down the side of the terrarium until it drips from
the “wick” into the aquarium. This is essential to ensure “wicking” action.
Maintenance Instructions
Provide a light source, preferably indirect window light. A small desk lamp or plant light will work, too. For artificial
lights, provide 12 –14 hours of light daily. If you place your project outside, make sure it is in a covered area, so
that it does get light, but it is protected from too much of the elements (rain, sun, and other animals).
Over a two week period, you will record daily or every other day observations, looking for, plant growth or
population changes. Take quantitative measurements (exactly how many? exactly what size? how many days?)
as well as qualitative (what color? what shape? slow or quick movement?).
You must turn in the following for evaluation:
 Picture of your bottle habitat at the beginning of the two weeks and at the end of the two weeks.
(Pictures can be one set per group as long as all names are written somewhere on the
picture.
 Daily observations of your habitat, including dates and specific information in a data table (set up in the
space provided below).
 A written summary to include the following:
o Define an ecosystem
o Explain what you think is the purpose of this activity. Was this purpose met?
o Did any changes in your system happen (growth, death, something new appear, etc)? If so
please explain and or give data to add to validity.
o Any changes you would do the next time.
Data Table Area:
Summary:
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Bottle Ecosystem Grade Rubric
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Purpose/Problem (10 pts)
Purpose of the
project is well
stated, clear and
accurate
Purpose of the
project is
somewhat stated,
and accurate
Purpose of the
project is vague,
unclear and/or
inaccurate
Purpose of the
project is missing
Design (set-up) (10pts)
All steps in the
procedure were
followed
accurately and the
design is neat and
clean
Most steps in the
procedure were
accurately
followed and the
design is neat and
clean
Few steps in the
procedure were
followed and the
design is unkempt
and dirty
Steps in the
procedure were
not followed and
design is unkempt
and dirty
Pictures
Both beginning and
ending pictures
were provided for
your ecosystem.
Only one picture
provided (either
beginning or end)
of your ecosystem.
Data: Observations (30
points)
Data was collected
over the entire two
weeks on a daily or
every other day
basis. Observations
are clearly
described. Metric
system used for
measurements
Data was collected
for more than one
week.
Observations are
clearly described.
Metric system used
for measurements
Data was collected Data was not
for less than a
collected
week.
Observations were
not clear and/or
incomplete. Metric
system is not used
for measurements
Conclusion/Summary (40
pts)
Student provided a
detailed conclusion
clearly based on
the data and
related to all areas
that were to be
covered.
Student provided a
somewhat detailed
conclusion clearly
based on the data
and related to the
areas to be
covered
Student provided a
conclusion with
some reference to
the data and most
areas covered.
No pictures
provided.
No conclusion was
apparent OR
important details
were overlooked.
Teacher comments:
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