Competition: Its What’s for Dinner. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem

Part I. Ranking sources in an ecosystem. Directions- 1. Look at the pictures of the two ecosystems, desert and rainforest, on the screen. 2. In table 1 below, rank the importance of the following resources in the two ecosystems from most important to least important:

3. Under table 1, answer the question. 4. Compare your answer with a person at your table.

Table 1. Ranking the importance of resources Desert Rainforest 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5.

Why did you rank the resources in this order?

Part II. Dependence and competition in an ecosystem. Directions- 1. Using your assigned utensil (hands, spoon, fork, or forceps) collect as much food as possible in the time allowed. FOOD MUST BE PLACED IN YOUR CUP TO COUNT TOWARDS YOUR TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS!

Point values for food are as follows:

2.

3. After the collection of food, record and calculate the number of points you have in table 2. Remember that you can only count the food in your cup towards your total. 4. Share your totals with your group, and record their totals in table 2. 5. Answer the questions under the table. 6. Repeat steps 1-4 three times. Each time will represent a change in the ecosystem.

Note: Failure to use only your utensil or not follow a direction symbolizes getting eaten by a predator. You will be out!

1 Competition: Its What’s for Dinner. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem

Table 2. Situation 1: Initial Collection of Food Trait (utensil Macaroni- 2 points Red Beans- 1 point Black Beans- 10 points Rice- 3 points Total used to Point collect food) Value Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Number of Number Number of Number of Points of Points Points Points Hands

Spoon

Fork

Forceps

1. Who collected the most points? 2. What characteristics or skills did they have that allowed them to collect the most points?

3. Who had the least points and why did they have the least number of points?

Table 3. Situation 2: There is a freeze, all macaroni dies. Trait (utensil Macaroni- 0 points Red Beans- 1 point Black Beans- 10 points Rice- 3 points Total used to Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Point collect food) Number of Number Number of Number of Value Points of Points Points Points Hands

Spoon

Fork

Forceps

1. Who collected the most points? 2. What characteristics or skills did they have that allowed them to collect the most points?

2 Competition: Its What’s for Dinner. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem

3. Who had the least points and why did they have the least number of points?

4. How did the “freezing” affect who collected the most points?

5. How did the “freezing” affect the food supply?

Table 4. Situation 3: Winter and have to hunt at night. Hands people cannot see at night. Trait (utensil Macaroni- 2 points Red Beans- 1 point Black Beans- 10 points Rice- 3 points Total used to Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Point collect food) Number of Number Number of Number of Value Points of Points Points Points Hands with eyes closed

Spoon

Fork

Forceps

1. Who collected the most points? 2. What characteristics or skills did they have that allowed them to collect the most points?

3. Who had the least points and why did they have the least number of points?

4. How did the “change in season” affect who collected the most points?

5. How did the “change in season” affect the food supply?

3 Competition: Its What’s for Dinner. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem

Table 5. Situation 4: There is a drought, and only rice and black beans survive as a food source. Trait (utensil Macaroni- 0 points Red Beans- 0 point Black Beans- 10 points Rice- 3 points Total used to Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Tally Total Point collect food) Number of Number Number of Number of Value Points of Points Points Points Hands

Spoon

Fork

Forceps

1. How did the “drought” affect who collected the most points?

2. How did the “drought” affect the food supply?

Part III. Defining Abiotic and Biotic Factors Directions- 1. Define the terms “abiotic” and “biotic” in the space below. 2. List in table 6 the “abiotic” and “biotic” factors that influenced the ecosystem.

Abiotic-

Biotic-

Table 6. Factors that influenced our ecosystem. Abiotic Factors Biotic Factors 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5.

Part IV. Analysis and Conclusion

4 Competition: Its What’s for Dinner. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem

Construct a bar graph showing the number of points each person was able to collect for each situation. Then answer the questions below.

1. Which situation allowed for the most collection of points? Make a prediction about why this situation allowed you to collect the most points?

2. Which situation caused the least about of points to be collected? Make a prediction about why this situation caused the least amount of points to be collected.

3. How do the abiotic factors, sunlight and temperature, effect an ecosystem?

4. How do the abiotic factors, soil composition and water, effect an ecosystem?

5. What biotic factors would affect a marine ecosystem? Why?

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