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Wetland Ecosystem Dynamics

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Wetland Ecosystem Dynamics

New Zealand wetland ecosystem with native birds and plants

🎯 WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Investigate how wetland creatures depend on each other

• Create food webs showing interdependence in wetland ecosystems

📋 Success Criteria - I can:

✓ Describe relationships between wetland species
✓ Create a food web showing connections
✓ Explain how species rely on each other
✓ Work well with others to share ideas

🔗 Part 1: Wetland Species Matching

Instructions: Match each wetland species to its role in the ecosystem. Draw lines to connect them.

Species

Pūkeko (swamp hen)
Kākahi (freshwater mussel)
Raupo (bulrush)
Kōura (freshwater crayfish)
Tuna (eel)
Wētā

Ecosystem Role

Primary producer - makes oxygen
Filter feeder - cleans water
Top predator - controls populations
Omnivore - eats plants and small animals
Decomposer helper - breaks down matter
Scavenger - eats dead material
1. Which species do you think is most important for keeping the wetland healthy? Explain why.

Sentence starter: I think _____________ is most important because...

🕸️ Part 2: Building Your Food Web

Instructions: Use the species from Part 1 to create a food web in the space below. Draw arrows from food sources to the animals that eat them.

2. What would happen to the wetland if all the raupo plants disappeared?

Sentence starter: If raupo disappeared, then...

3. Choose TWO species from your food web. Describe how they depend on each other.

Sentence starter: _____________ and _____________ depend on each other because...

🌍 Part 3: Human Impact & Protection

4. Tick ALL the ways humans can negatively impact wetland ecosystems:

Pollution from farms and cities

Draining wetlands for development

Introducing invasive species

Creating walking tracks for visitors

Climate change affecting water levels

5. How can we practise kaitiakitanga (guardianship) to protect Aotearoa's wetlands?

Sentence starter: We can protect wetlands by...

🚀 Extension Activity (Advanced Learners)

6. Research one invasive species in New Zealand wetlands. How does it disrupt the food web you created?

Species researched: _________________________

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