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Coral Reef Ecosystems: Interdependence
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Details

Type of Product:Science Object
Average Rating:
 based on 5 reviews
Publication Title:Coral Reef Ecosystems
Publication Date:11/1/2006
Grade Level:Elementary School, Middle School, High School


Description

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the third of four Science Objects in the Coral Reef Ecosystems SciPack. It explores the interdependent relationships between species in the coral reef ecosystem. All populations in the reef ecosystem are a part of and depend on a global food web (a connected set of food chains) through which energy flows in one direction, from the sun into organism and eventually dissipating into the environment as heat. This food web includes ocean plants, the animals that feed on them, and the animals that feed on those animals. Energy is transferred between organisms and their environment along the way. Energy concentration diminishes at each step. The cycles of life continue indefinitely because organisms decompose after death and return food materials to the environment.


Ideas For Use

Science Objects are two hour learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers can access any topic “on demand” from the Internet. Topics are based on the science literacy goals in the national standards (NSES, Science for All Americans, Benchmarks, and the Atlas of Scientific Literacy) and tied to state standards.

Each Science Object provides an understanding of the science content by providing a structured set of learning experiences through simulations and practice assessments. Science Objects challenge teachers to explore and explain real world phenomena and are founded on the principle that learners must be challenged with a problem, observation, data, etc., in order to develop scientific understanding. Science Objects utilize the five phases of inquiry-based learning: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.

Learning Outcomes:

Coral Reef Ecosystems: Interdependence

  • Identify and label key components of food chains and food webs in a coral reef ecosystem.
  • Describe key relationships among plants and animals in the coral reef ecosystem: predator and prey relationships, producer and consumer relationships, and symbiotic relationships (mutualism, commensalisms, parasitism).
  • Recognize the direction that energy travels through food chains and food webs.
  • Explain that materials (chemical elements) and natural resources are recycled in coral reef ecosystems and reappear in different forms.
  • Describe the primary ecological succession events within a typical coral reef ecosystem.

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Cycles
Food web
Predation
Symbiosis
Trophic levels
Intended User Role:Elementary-Level Educator, High-School Educator, Middle-Level Educator, New Teacher, Teacher
Educational Issues:Achievement, Learning theory, Professional development, Teacher content knowledge

Technical

Resource Format:application/msword, application/pdf, application/x-shockwave-flash, audio/mp3, image/gif, image/jpeg, text/html, video/quicktime
Installation Remarks:Run the Science Objects System Check to ensure that your system is capable of viewing the simulations: http://ecommerce2.nsta.org/system_check/
Requirements:Requires Macromedia Flash Player and Apple Quicktime Player


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National Standards Correlation

This resource has 8 correlations with the National Standards.  
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This resource has 8 correlations with the National Standards.  
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  • Life Science
    • Populations and ecosystems
      • Plants and some micro-organisms are producers--they make their own food. (5-8)
      • All animals, including humans, are consumers, which obtain food by eating other organisms. (5-8)
      • Food webs identify the relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem. (5-8)
      • Given adequate biotic and abiotic resources and no disease or predators, populations (including humans) increase at rapid rates. (5-8)
      • Healthy ecosystems ensure a healthy biosphere by regulating the flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients.
  • Process Standards for Professional Development
    • Research-Based
      • Address teachers' needs as learners and build on their current knowledge of science content, teaching, and learning. (NSES)
    • Design
      • Introduce teachers to scientific literature, media, and technological resources that expand their science knowledge and their ability to access further knowledge. (NSES)
    • Learning
      • Applies knowledge about human learning and change. (NSDC)


Customer Reviews
Review on Coral Reef Ecosystem: Interdependence
  Reviewed by: Ronaldo Relador (Bowie, MD) on February 29, 2012
  Another great resource on Coral Reef ecosystem. This is most comprehensive presentation of an ecosystem that really needs our attention . The biotic and abiotic factors involved are components of a small but diverse microcosm.

Coral Reef Ecosystem
  Reviewed by: Barbara Ryan on January 19, 2012
  This resource would be very helpful for those teachers who have to teach relationships in a coral reef ecosystems. It describes many of the interdepent relationships found in various coral reef ecosystems. It goes on to explain how the relationships benefit each species and helps this ecosystem to thrive. It also helps you understand the importance of this ecosystem and the interdepence of each organism to the survival of the coral reef. It is very interesting as well as informative.

Excellent for a beginner!
  Reviewed by: Eve K on June 6, 2011
  This is an excellent resource for anyone that is trying to understand the basics of ecology and food chains.

Solid Ecology Information
  Reviewed by: David K on January 15, 2011
  This science object covers many of the basic ecology concepts including food chains/webs/pyramids, transfer of energy/trophic levels, cycles, succession, and symbiosis. The examples as they relate to coral reefs are very clear. There are interactives that assist in the understanding and I found the one where you can manipulate populations at various points of a food pyramid to see the effect on other predator and prey populations potentially beneficial for the classroom. Great use of the coral reef subject to covers these ecology topics.

Interdependence of Life on a Coral Reef
  Reviewed by: Adah (San Antonio, TX) on October 19, 2010
  This Science Object provides an excellent overview of the interdependence of life on a coral reef. This Science Object begins with a pretest to assess understanding before beginning. Along with excellent photos there are several interactive activities as well as animated images to explain the text. Food webs, food pyramids, several types of symbiosis and ecological succession are topics covered in this particular Science Object. Common student misconceptions are addressed as well. There is an opportunity to have the information read to you as well as a glossary to reinforce vocabulary. This is a great source of general introductory information about a coral reef that would provide a strong background foundation for either an educators or a student to learn on their own.

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