Apologia Biology Module 10: Ecology Make a Food Web

After my Co-op classes completes the intro activities in Module 1, I teach Module 10,  Ecology.  In the first part of Module 1, Dr. Wile mentions herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, producers, and consumers.  Module 1 introduces dichotomous keys.  I just think it’s a good type to start Ecology.  I begin by having the kids make a list of every species in the local ecosystem; ours is an eastern deciduous forest ecosystem.  It helps to go outside and look.  The list should have 50 species and include plants, trees, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, rodents, spiders, etc.  Next, research the scientific name for each species.  As your teen researches what each species eats, she will add species to the list.  Cap the list at 100 species or the food web becomes too messy.

Before making a giant food web from the list of organisms in the local ecosystem, start small with Food Web: Identify Consumers (Key).  Are you finding the terms confusing?  Let’s sort them.  Dr. Wile uses producers and consumers.  Producers are also called autotrophs.  Consumers are primary, secondary or tertiary.   Herbivores are primary consumers.  Carnivores and omnivores are secondary or tertiary consumers.  Consumers can be called heterotrophs: first order, second order, or third order. A hawk may be a third order heterotrophs or tertiary consumer.  There can be quaternary or fourth order heterotrophs, such as a hawk which eats raccoons.  This site has examples.

Let’s try making food webs. This activity has several different sets of organisms from different ecosystems.  Use the food web diagram in Module 10.  Cut the organisms, place them into trophic levels (producer, primary consumers, etc. and draw arrows from the diner to the meal. Khan Academy has an explanation.  Scroll down for an example of a food web organized into trophic levels.

Below is a simple food web I did with my grandson, Paul, for Zoology 1.  Have a look.