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Ecosystem Observation Journal

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Ecosystem Observation Journal

You are investigating a New Zealand coastal dune ecosystem. Read the observation log and use its evidence to answer the questions. Separate what was observed from what you infer. In the field, observe living things from a distance and do not touch wildlife or remove anything.

Feature

Visit 1: morning after rain

Visit 2: four days later

Air and ground

Cool air; damp sand; shallow pool about 4 cm deep

Milder air; dry surface sand; pool about 1 cm deep

Plants

Spinifex leaves upright; marram grass stems partly bent

Spinifex still upright; marram grass stems mostly upright

Animals seen in 10 minutes

6 sandhoppers, 2 spiders, 1 skink seen beside the pool

2 sandhoppers, 1 spider, no skink seen

Other evidence

Spider web with a small insect caught in it

Web still present; no insect caught during the visit

Notice and interpret

Use specific details from the scene and observation log. An observation is something recorded directly; an inference is an explanation supported by evidence.

1.Classify each item as biotic (living or once-living) or abiotic (non-living): spinifex, sand, spider, driftwood, and water. Give one reason why driftwood is classified as biotic.

2.Which statement is an observation rather than an inference? Choose one.

The skink hid because it was frightened.
The pool was about 4 cm deep on Visit 1.
The plants prefer dry weather.
The spider caught the insect to eat it.

3.Identify one abiotic condition that changed between visits. Describe the change using measurements or details from the log.

4.The log reports fewer sandhoppers on Visit 2. State one conclusion that the evidence supports and one limitation that means you cannot be certain the population really decreased.

5.The web contained a small insect on Visit 1. What type of ecological relationship does this evidence suggest between the spider and insect? Explain your answer.

6.Choose the best evidence-based prediction: if the pool continues to dry, which organism in the log might be affected most directly, and why?

The skink, because it was seen near the pool and may rely on nearby water or prey.
The spinifex, because its upright leaves prove it needs deep water.
The spider, because every spider lives underwater.
The marram grass, because dry sand always kills it immediately.

7.A classmate says, “No skink was seen on Visit 2, so there were no skinks at the site.” Explain why this claim is not justified by the evidence.

8.Write a testable question about how a changing abiotic factor could affect an organism at this dune site. Name the factor and the organism.

9.Plan a fair follow-up investigation for your question. Include what you would change or compare, what you would measure, and one condition you would keep the same.

10.Field sketch challenge: sketch a small section of the dune scene. Label at least one biotic feature and one abiotic feature, then add arrows to show a possible interaction between two living things. Use the scene above or the observation log as your evidence.