Ecosystem Project

In Science, we have begun a unit on Ecology, the study of organism interaction with their
environment. We are studying the role of animal, plant, and non-living life within ecosystems. The
unit with culminate with a two- part project.
Part 1: a booklet created on
several ecosystems/biomes
Booklet due date
_________________
Part 2: a diorama on one
ecosystem/biomes
Diorama due date
_________________

Part 1: The students will work in groups of 4-5 students to complete the booklet on ecosystems. An
example of the booklet page is shown below. The students will have many class periods to research
this information.










Habitat
Drawing of
food chain
Climate
Animals
Plants
Adaptations
Human
Interference
1. Climate
The average temperature in the summer
months
The average temperature in winter months
The amounts of rainfall received in a year
2. Animals- name at least 4 animals (include land and air)
Tell the species name
Why is it significant to that particular
biome?

3. Plants- name at least 4 plants
Tell the species name
Why is it significant to that particular
biome?

4. Adaptations- Explain each living and non-living
organisms adaptations that allows it to survive in that
particular biome

5. Human Interference-
What type of pollution/interference
occurs
What happens to the animal and plant life
Whether this interference is good or bad;
is it good or bad always or sometimes?

6. Drawing of Food chain-
A labeled drawing/picture of a food chain that
has a producer, consumer, herbivore,
carnivore, omnivore, decomposer
A few brief sentences (2-3) describing what is
taking place during this food chain
You will complete one page on each of the
following ecosystems using your research. So your
booklet, when complete should contain 7 pages.
1. Tundra
2. Desert
3. Tropical forest
4. Temperate forest
5. Grassland
6. Ocean
7. River

Ecosystem Project

Part 2: The students will create a diorama in their groups. A diorama is a three-
dimensional representation of any living system. In our case, it will be made out of a
shoebox. The diorama will be crafted mainly in class.
Requirements for diorama:
At least 3 distinct animals
At least 3 distinct plants
Represent the general environment
The parts of the diorama need to be labeled neatly
All elements of the diorama must be affixed firmly to the container (no
loose sand, etc.)