CP Biology
Name:____________________
Date: _____
ECOLOGY POND FIELD TRIP
The biosphere consists of all life on Earth and all the parts of Earth in which life
exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere. The biosphere contains every
organism on Earth and extends from about 8 kilometers above Earth’s surface to
about 11 km below the surface of the ocean! Different types of biomes exist on the
biosphere. Biomes are classified according to the type of climate and organisms
that inhabit it. Livingston, NJ is classified as a temperate forest. We are going
to explore our biome.
Please pay close attention to your surroundings as you are exploring. Take note
of the different types of organisms you see, and try to figure out their roles in the
ecosystem.
1. Give an example of 1 type of species you see. Describe it.
2. Give an example and describe a population you see.
3. Give an example and describe a community you see.
4. Do you see more than 1 type of ecosystem? Describe 2 ecosystems that you
see.
5. List 2 biotic factors you see in one of your ecosystems.
6. List 2 abiotic factors you see in one of your ecosystems.
7. How is the weather today? Is weather an abiotic or biotic factor?
8. Describe 1 producer you see. What is another term for producer?
9. Describe one consumer you see. What is another term for consumer?
Consumers can be carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. Give an example
of each – carnivore, herbivore, omnivore. (Note: You might not be able to
see each type outside today.)
10. What is a decomposer? Describe any decomposers you see. If you don’t see
any, describe what you were looking for.
Energy Flow in the Ecosystem
In every ecosystem, producers and consumers are linked through feeding
relationships. Despite the great variety of feeding relationships in different
ecosystems, energy flows in a one way stream from producer to the various
consumers. Energy passes through an ecosystem along a food chain, a series of
steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.
Look around you. Do you see any food chains?
11.Draw a food chain you see. Your food chain should have at least three
steps. If you don’t actually see an organism that fits on the third step –
brainstorm one that would fit and make sense in this ecosystem.
12.What is a food web? Why is a food web a more accurate representation of
the feeding relationships in an ecosystem than a food chain?
Biomes
Why is Livingston classified as a temperate forest? (use pg. 114 in the textbook to
help)
13.Describe the climate (seasonal weather patterns, temperature(s),
precipitation):
14.Describe the major plant life:
15.Describe the major animal life:
16.What is the difference between deciduous trees (textbook pg. 112) and
coniferous trees (textbook pg. 114)? Which do you see more of in
Livingston?