Natural sciences
Life and way of living
Educator section
Memorandum
1. Number of plant types: four
- Four types: Trees: grow tall (long stem/trunk), branched, many leaves, standing singly.
- Shrubs: like trees but not as high (stems not long)
- Climbers/creepers: grow high but do not stand on their own – creeps or climbs up trees or any kind of structure.
- Ground covers, herbs: low-growing
2. In trees/shrubs: Insects, birds, snakes, squirrels
- On the ground: Mice, insects, rabbits, birds, snakes, frogs
- In ground litter: Earthworms and other worms/caterpillars cicadas, frogs
- In soil: Earthworms, moles, snakes
- In water: Fish, insects, frogs
3. Each plant and animal is adapted for survival in its environment in a particular manner.
Leaner section
Content
Activity 2: to interpret information gathered in a study of an ecosystem [lo 2.3]
Variety (diversity) within an ecosystem
An ecosystem is characterised by a large variety of living organisms.
Look at the accompanying illustration of an ecosystem and answer the questions that follow. If you have access to a place where plants grow, especially if there also is water such as a stream or a dam, it could be worthwhile to spend a bit of time there and to try to find further information for your answers. You then have an ecosystem in which you can make your observations.
- How many different types of plants can you distinguish? ________________
- Try to distinguish four types and describe each of them:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Try to determine what types of animals you possibly might find in the following places in the ecosystem (consult books or investigate the ecosystem that you have chosen):
- In the trees and shrubs above the soil:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
- On top of the soil:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
- In the layer of dead plant material on top of the soil:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
- In the soil:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
- In the water:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
- Why is there such a variety of plants and animals?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Assessment
Learning Outcome 2: The learner will know and be able to interpret and apply scientific, technological and environmental knowledge.
Assessment Standard 2.3: We know this when the learner interprets information.