Theme 2: Biodiversity & Ecosystems

Topic: About Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem (ecological system) is a common term used to describe a group of plants and animals that are in some way connected by the resources they require for survival.

The billions of species on our planet, including humans, interact with one another in many ways. The interactions among and between species are what define an ecosystem. Every centimetre of the planet is part of an ecosystem. When talking about ecosystems, the matter of scale or size is important.

A small bog, a single sand dune, or a tiny patch of forest may be viewed as an ecosystem, unique for its mix of species and microclimate-a microenvironment. On a much larger scale, an ecosystem may also refer to more extensive communities e.g. a 100 or a 1,000 km square forest or a major river system. Each of these would have many such microenvironments.

Ecosystems provide many 'services' from which we humans benefit. Ecosystem services are the transformation of a set of natural assets (soil, plants and animals, air and water) into things that we value. For example, when fungi, worms and bacteria transform the raw 'ingredients' of sunlight, carbon and nitrogen into fertile soil this transformation is an ecosystem service. However, if we allow natural assets to decline, so do the benefits to the ecosystem. However, if we look after and maintain our natural assets, we will all benefit from greater returns.

Some other examples of ecosystem services that come from nature include:

• Pollination
• Fulfillment of people's cultural spiritual and intellectual needs
• Climate control
• Insect/pest control
• Maintenance and regeneration of habitats
• Provision of shade and shelter
• Prevention of soil erosion
• Maintenance of soil fertility
• Maintenance of healthy waterways
• Water filtration
• Regulation of river flows and groundwater levels
• Waste absorption and breakdown

Student Activity Ideas

• Students to research the names and pictures of plants, animals, insects and macroinvertebrates that are found in the local area.
  Students to then think about what the animals eat, what eats them, and ask them to place them in order from the bottom of the food chain to the top. Pictures can be strung together and made into mobiles (food chains) of differing lengths.
• For a more challenging activity, discuss with students the habitat requirements of each organism and how it links with other organisms. Simple food chains can be laid out on a large piece of paper and lines drawn between them to indicate the connections. The end result will show a 'web' of connections.
  Removing items from the food web such as plants and insects will show how many other organisms will go hungry or homeless without these important organisms at the bottom of the food chain.
• Students to think about what ecosystem services they use in their everyday lives.

Enquiry Learning

• What is an ecosystem? Discuss the ways in which ecological systems interact at local, regional and global levels.
• Discuss how ecosystems are dynamic and constantly changing.
• What is the value of ecosystems to us? How does the interaction of ecological systems provide benefit to humans, especially in the provision of healthy water?
• What is ecology? How can the study of ecology show the importance of ecosystems to human beings at local, regional and global levels?
• What is the connection between ecosystem functioning and overall catchment health?

Internet Resources

Type	Description	Resources Covering the Topic
Easy	Ecosystems. Discusses different types of ecosystems from around the world.	MBG Net mbgnet.mobot.org
	Ecosystems: an introduction. A brief but succinct introduction to what ecosystems are.	United States Geological Survey interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/ explorer/topic_eco.htm
	Ecosystems. Describes a variety of different ecosystems.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/education/ folder_2.shtml
	Ecosystems of Our World. What is a Biome? Considers Biomes and ecosystems	Ecosystems of Our world library.thinkquest.org/11353/text/ ecosystems.htm?tskip1=1&tqtime=0519
	Australian Museum Fact Sheet. Brief, concise explanation of ecosystem services.	Australian Museum www.austmus.gov.au/factsheets/ ecosystem_services.htm
	Comprehensive and thorough review of ecosystem services, with a list of ecosystem service examples.	Biodiversity and Human Health www.ecology.org/biod/value/ EcosystemServices.html
More Comprehensive	Freshwater ecology. Thorough site with information on the biology of freshwater ecosystems.	Biology Online www.biology-online.org/6/ 1_producers_consumers.htm
	River Ecosystems. The role of native vegetation in maintaining river ecosystems.	Land and Water Australia www.rivers.gov.au/manage/ is4rivereco.htm
	Values for Human Use of Water. Comprehensive summary of human use and intrinsic value of aquatic systems and use of water.	NSW EPA www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/soe2000/ bw/bw_2.htm#bw_2_h02
More Complex	Values for Human Use of Water. Comprehensive summary of human use and intrinsic value of aquatic systems and use of water.	NSW EPA www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/soe2000/ bw/bw_2.htm#bw_2_h025
	What is an Ecosystem? Thorough site with excellent links.	Washington State University www.wsu.edu:8001/vcwsu/commons/ topics/top_ecosystem/
	World Resource Institute. Comments on a range of issues to do with the health of ecosystems.	World Resources 2000-2001 www.pubs.wri.org/ pubs_description.cfm?PubID=3027
	River Landscapes. Comprehensive review of ecosystem services issues.	Land and Water Australia www.rivers.gov.au/acrobat/ riprap21.pdf
	ABC Radio discussion on the value of ecosystem services. Thought provoking and broad look at issues.	ABC Radio National www.abc.net.au/rn/science/earth/ stories/s121042.htm

Activities

Band	Activity	Contact
Early Years	Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards www.catchments.net
	Create a Habitat. Explores the key concepts of creating a habitat.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/downloads/ own/create_hab.doc
	Act-a-Catchment Students role play living in a catchment and learn about the variety of impacts that human society has on their local catchment.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/downloads/ own/act_a_catch.doc
	Construct a food chain - provides lesson ideas for tackling the topic of food chains.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/education/ downloads/folder_2/ 4i_foodchain.pdf
	What is a macroinvertebrate? Discover why macroinvertebrates are bioindicators of water health.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/caring/ waterwatch.shtml#aquatic
Primary Years	Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards www.catchments.net
	Web site provides links to activities through the Biowhat? Kit. A starter kit for primary schools, to conserve and promote biodiversity in their school community.	South Australian Urban Forest Biodiversity Program www.urbanforest.on.net/ schools.htm
	Macroinvertebrate monitoring. Outdoor sampling and indoor lessons involving video microscopes. Look at bioindicators and water quality.	North Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water Management Board www.nab.waterwatch.org.au
	River habitats. Classroom and outdoor activity session that focuses on what a habitat is, why they are important, different types and conducting habitat surveys. Lower Murray region only.	River Murray Waterwatch www.sa.waterwatch.org.au/ catchmen.htm www.lm.net.au/~sacare/ waterwatch/index.html
	Explore your wetland. Organise a trip to your local wetland and we will assist you in learning about how they work.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/caring/ waterwatch.shtml#aquatic
	What is a macroinvertebrate? Discover why macroinvertebrates are bioindicators of water health.	Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board www.onkaparinga.net/caring/ waterwatch.shtml#aquatic
	A range of Murray River habitats activities to do in the classroom. Download and print off sheets to participate. Many activities for the Primary Years.	The Murray Urban Users Committee www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/ teaching_resources.htm#Primary%20Years%20BandYear%203-Year%205
	Food Webs. Primary school activities and teacher notes.	Gould League www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ index.html#food%20webs
	Lots of activities, descriptions and facts about habitats of the world.	Enchanted Learning www.enchantedlearning.com/ biomes/pond/pondlife.shtml
Middle Years	Guided walks, education officer assisted lessons, hands on kits, special events and Aboriginal guides for indigenous plant use walks.	Botanic Gardens www.environment.sa.gov.au/ botanicgardens/education.html
	Our Patch and Catchment Care Programs. Run by the Patawalonga and Torrens, Onkaparinga and North Adelaide Barossa Catchment Water Management Boards. Programs assist students in learning about biodiversity issues and assist in activities that address associated environmental problems.	SA Catchment Water Management Boards www.catchments.net
	Food Webs. Secondary school activities and teacher notes.	Gould League www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/ index.html#food%20webs

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