Learning Focus: What is an ecosystem and how do they function? •What: learn about food chains for a specific place •How: construct a food web for the Antarctic •Why: to understand what an ecosystem is and how it works
Where do these get their energy from? Discuss with your partner.
Activate: What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is a natural system where plants and animals are closely linked to each other and to the non-living environment around them (water, air, the sun, rocks and soils) Ecosystems can be small, such as under a stone or huge like the rainforests in Brazil.
Trophic levels
The flow of energy energy Every ecosystem will have a flow of _____ through it. The main source of energy is sunlight ________ which is absorbed by plants through photosynthesis. This energy is passed on up through the _____ food chain plants are eaten by animals which where ______ animals may in turn get eaten by other ______. Each level of the food chain is known as a trophic level.
Plants
Word bank Sunlight animals
food
energy
Demonstrate: Who’s eating who? TASK: • Cut out the pictures • Using the clues on the written sheet stick the pictures in the right place on the food web
Let’s see if you’re right!
Self assess your answers! http://www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk/multimedia/flash/4_eating.html
Reflection…
So, in Antarctica: – Who are the vegetarians? – Who are the carnivores? – Who is top of the food chain?
Learning Focus: What is an ecosystem and how do they function? •What: learn about food chains for a specific place •How: construct a food web for the Antarctic •Why: to understand what an ecosystem is and how it works