Populations and Ecosystems

How do we predict future population growth? Young researchers investigate various factors affecting the size of our population. As they calculate and interpret graphs to determine factors that could potentially affect increases and...

Examine the impact the fishing industry has on local ecosystems. The hands-on lesson begins with an experiment that tests the effectiveness of fish-based fertilizers. It continues with a computer-based module that simulates sustainable...

A vegetable garden is an example of a man-made ecosystem. Here, learners explore the natural ecosystems of the world. In groups, scholars determine the problems their assigned ecosystem faces and, as a class, reach a consensus on the...

From tiny organisms to entire biomes, young scientists examine the interdependent relationships tying all living and non-living things together with this collection of ecology resources.

Life has its ups and downs ... especially if you're an animal! Biology scholars engage in a population study through an inquiry-based lesson. Pupils work together to explore the factors that affect deer populations, then examine the...

A respectful resource is available to support your ecology lecture. Introduce the population concepts of limiting factors and carrying capacity and then examine the example of a deer population in northern Arizona. Take a look at the...

Along came a spider, who sat down beside her. She screamed, but RJ wouldn't smash it because spiders are a limiting factor for other insects in an ecosystem. In this video, other common limiting factors for populations are listed....

Why do most populations remain stable over time? Usually it is a result of either environmental resistance or carrying capacity. Examine some of the factors that help stabilize animal populations, and explore some of the changes that...

Learn about the different ways in which populations are distributed in a setting. Which animals group together? Why? What are the advantages (or possible disadvantages) to each style of grouping?

Take a brief look at the Florida Everglades. What kinds of animal populations exist there? Use this video to help define introductory vocabulary for your unit on ecosystems, and click the links posted below the video to provide your...