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Ecosystem Species Matching Challenge

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Ecosystem Species Matching Challenge

Mei, Keira and Nikau are checking how native species fit into Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems. Read the species clues, then complete the matching and investigation tasks. A species may use more than one habitat, but choose the best match for each clue.

Species and ecosystems

Each ecosystem may be used more than once. Write the matching letter beside each species.

1.Match each species to its best-fit ecosystem: 1. Kākāpō 2. Kōura (freshwater crayfish) 3. Hector’s dolphin 4. Alpine buttercup 5. Kererū 6. Canterbury mudfish 7. New Zealand fur seal 8. Alpine wētā. Ecosystems: A. forest B. freshwater C. marine D. alpine. Write a letter for each number.

1. Kākāpō
2. Kōura
3. Hector’s dolphin
4. Alpine buttercup
5. Kererū
6. Canterbury mudfish
7. New Zealand fur seal
8. Alpine wētā

D. Alpine
D. Alpine
C. Marine
B. Freshwater
C. Marine
A. Forest
A. Forest
B. Freshwater

Investigate the clues

Use what each species eats, where it lives and the conditions it can handle to explain your choices.

2.Kererū eat fruit and berries from native trees. Which feature of a forest ecosystem makes it a suitable habitat for them?

It provides food in trees and places to perch or nest.
It has salt water for them to breathe.
It is always cold and above the tree line.
It has no plants or other animals.

3.Select the TWO features that can help alpine species survive in exposed mountain environments.

A low-growing shape can reduce exposure to strong winds.
A thick coat or other insulation can help retain warmth.
Gills help them breathe in dry air.
Salt water is needed by all alpine plants and animals.

4.Canterbury mudfish can survive in wetlands and pools that may dry out. Give one reason that freshwater or wetland habitat is important to them.

5.Name one human activity or change that can harm a New Zealand marine ecosystem, and describe one possible effect on marine species.

6.True or false: A habitat is only the place where an animal sleeps; it does not need to provide food or shelter.

TrueFalse

7.Complete the food relationship: Native forest tree → fruit → . Name one native bird that may eat the fruit.

8.Keira records a species beside a cold, fast-flowing mountain stream. Is the best-fit ecosystem freshwater or marine? Give one clue that supports your answer.

Plan a habitat protection idea

Choose one ecosystem from the matching task. Explain how one sensible action could help protect a species that lives there.

9.Choose forest, freshwater, marine or alpine. Name one species from that ecosystem, describe one need it has, and suggest one action people could take to protect its habitat.