Adventure #5:
The Big Four Activity
With our new knowledge of the four diverse ecosystems in our state, let's begin to address our first main question!
We will be discovering what ecosystem we live in!
Now to determine what ecosystem you live in, you will need to begin to think like an ecologist. Take 5 to 10 minutes to record these three main things.
The types of plants and animals you see in your area
The amount of water there is present
The type of vegetation (tall trees vs low bushes, etc.)
Also be sure to take note of anything that stands out to you!
Record all of your notes in your Field Journal, as well as your guess as to which ecosystem you live in.
Grassland Ecosystem
First image from PxHere, CC license
To identify if your ecosystem is a grassland, ask yourself these questions.
Is there many different types of grasses of varying height?
Is there a lack of large trees?
There could potentially be the occasional tree, but you will not see many of them.
Do I see animals such as gophers, prairie dogs, rabbits, and birds?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, you are most likely in a grassland!
Forest Ecosystem
Now, if you believe you are in a forest ecosystem, then ask yourself these questions.
Is there a large amount of trees around me?
These can vary in size, height and type! The only thing that matters is if they dominate the landscape.
Do these trees vary in their type and size?
Most forests have a variety of tree types!
Do I see larger animals such as elk or moose in my area?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, you most likely are in a forest!
Aquatic Ecosystem
Now if you believe that you live in an aquatic environment (yes it is possible!) then ask yourself the following questions.
Does the soil around me hold onto water well?
A good way to test this would be to see if there is any bodies of water that are present year around.
Do the plants around me require large amounts of water to stay alive and to grow?
Lastly, is there a body of water nearby?
This could be anything from a creek to a lake or even a large pond!
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions than you likely live in an aquatic environment!
Desert Ecosystem
Last but not least, we have the desert ecosystem! Though this may seem to be the most boring of the four ecosystems we have in Idaho, it is incredibly common. You know the drill by now.
Is one of the main plants in your area sagebrush?
(Hint: its the first image to the right!)
Is there a lack of water in your area?
This can be figured out by researching your annual rainfall, seeing how much water in around you, or even asking your parents.
Do you find sand in your area?
Though it is often found in dunes, it does not have to be! You can have soils that are mostly sand as well.
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions then you are in a desert!
Congratulations! You have learned about the ecosystems you can find around you, and you have learned how to easily identify them.
This is a good time to think back and reflect on your experiment.
In the field, scientists are always asking themselves questions about their results! Answer the following questions in your Field Journal:
Did I get the result I was expecting?
Why is my expected outcome different from my actual outcome?
How can I make my experiment better in the future?
