Introduction:
A forest is an example of an ecosystem, which consists of living and non-living things interacting in an area. A food web follows the pathway of energy and minerals through an ecosystem. Read the Food Web Backgrounder to learn about the roles of producers, consumers and decomposers in an ecosystem. Then make your own food web that shows some of the interactions happening around you.
Directions:
1. Visit a forest, or even just one special tree for inspiration.
2. Generate a list of living things that live in this ecosystem (think about teeny tiny bacteria, little insects and other invertebrates, plants, animals, and fungi).
3. Group the living things on your list into producers, consumers and decomposers.
4. Get a large piece of paper. Write or draw all the species you listed on your paper in an order to show how the sun’s energy is transferred.
5. Draw arrows to show the flow of energy.
Extension:
Research one animal from your food web that interests you and create a poster including what they eat, where they live, and any other interesting facts.
Resources:
