🌿 Part 1: Understanding Ecology

1. What is ecology? Circle the best definition:

The study of rocks and minerals

The study of relationships between living things and their environment

The study of weather patterns

The study of human behaviour

2. What do ecologists do? Check all that apply:

Study how animals interact with their environment

Research plant communities

Help protect natural systems

Only work in laboratories

Monitor ecosystem health

3. Explain in your own words why ecology is important for New Zealand:

🏞️ Part 2: Ecosystems

4. Fill in the blanks about ecosystems:

An ecosystem is a _____________ of living things that interact with each other and their _____________ environment. Ecosystems can be _____________ like a pond, or _____________ like a forest.

5. Match the ecosystem components with their correct category:

1. Kererū (wood pigeon)

2. Temperature

3. Kauri tree

4. Rainfall

5. Tuatara

6. Soil

A. Biotic (living) factor

B. Abiotic (non-living) factor

C. Biotic (living) factor

D. Abiotic (non-living) factor

E. Biotic (living) factor

F. Abiotic (non-living) factor

6. Circle the correct answer: Which of these is a small ecosystem?

Fiordland National Park

A rotting log

The entire South Island

Lake Taupō

🇳🇿 Part 3: New Zealand Ecosystems

7. List four different types of ecosystems found in New Zealand:

8. Choose one New Zealand ecosystem and draw it below. Include at least 3 living things and 2 non-living things. Label your drawing:

9. Research task: Name two native species that live in your chosen ecosystem:

Species 1: _________________________

Species 2: _________________________

10. Which New Zealand ecosystems are under threat? Check all that apply:

Wetlands

Native forests

Coastal areas

Alpine regions

Freshwater lakes and rivers

🔗 Part 4: Ecosystem Relationships

11. Explain what might happen if one species disappeared from an ecosystem:

12. True or False? Circle your answers:

True / False - All living things in an ecosystem depend on each other

True / False - Removing one species never affects other species

True / False - Abiotic factors like temperature affect living things

True / False - Ecosystems can exist without any non-living components

13. How can we help protect New Zealand's ecosystems? Give three examples:

💭 Part 5: Reflection

14. What is one new thing you learned about ecology today?

15. What questions do you still have about ecosystems?

16. Rate your understanding of today's lesson:

I understand everything clearly

I understand most concepts

I understand some concepts but need more help

I need lots more help to understand

Ecology and Ecosystems

Ecology and Ecosystems

🌿 Part 1: Understanding Ecology

🏞️ Part 2: Ecosystems

🇳🇿 Part 3: New Zealand Ecosystems

🔗 Part 4: Ecosystem Relationships

💭 Part 5: Reflection

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