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In this activity we will explore the ways in which animals rely on each other in the wild - even in your backyard wilderness! Be ready to conquer some big vocabulary words with simple definitions as you plot out the ins-and-outs of everyday relationships.
In this activity we will explore the ways in which animals rely on each other in the wild - even in your backyard wilderness! Be ready to conquer some big vocabulary words with simple definitions as you plot out the ins-and-outs of everyday relationships.
Let's Get Organized
Let's Get Organized
We have a lot to do! Before we start, let's take a moment to download and review a quick notes sheet (click the image to your right). This sheet will help us as we watch the video below to learn some specifics about this concept of symbiotic relationships. We will be able to use these notes as we work through the rest of the experience, and plus, it's a great habit and skill to reinforce - even at home!
Mutualism
Mutualism
Our first type of symbiotic relationship is mutualism. Mutualism is an ecological relationship between two or more species where each species benefits in some way - it's a win-win scenario! Use the organizer above to help you record some key information from the video. We will need it later!
Commensalism
Commensalism
Our second type of symbiotic relationship is commensalism. Commensalism is an ecological relationship between two or more species where one species benefits in some way from the relationship, and the other species in not negatively impacted - it's a win-meh scenario! Use the organizer above to help you record some key information from the video. We will need it later!
Parasitism
Parasitism
Our last type of symbiotic relationship is parasitism. Parasitism is an ecological relationship between two or more species where one species benefits in some way from the relationship, and the other species is negatively impacted - it's a win-no win scenario! Use the organizer above to help you record some key information from the video. We will need it later!
Outdoor Challenge Activity
Outdoor Challenge Activity
Three Easy Steps
Three Easy Steps
Print off the Backyard Observation Table and the Backyard Relationship Chart (links below).
Find a nice spot to sit outside where you have a good view of everything. As you sit, begin to record all of the living things you see and hear (on the Backyard Observation Table), with particular importance to the plants and animals. Don’t forget, there are LOTS of things alive that we can’t see. Give yourself 10-15 minutes to observe. The more the better!
Using the Backyard Relationship Chart and all of the living things you recorded on the observation table, let’s see if we can identify some symbiotic relationships in your backyard. To help, I have given two examples to start.
(I guess I lied) Using all of the living things you recorded on the Backyard Observation Table, let’s see if we can draw a food web that illustrates all of the producer, consumer, decomposer, predator, and prey relationships in your backyard. Remember to use arrows that show how energy is transferred.
Keep your friend close and your
Keep your friend close and your
anemones closer.
anemones closer.
Reflection
Reflection
Great job today! I am always humbled when I pause to think about how complex and interconnected my own backyard is! Hopefully you have a better understanding for what lives around you, and how those organisms interact. Before you test you knowledge with the quiz, take a few minutes to write down and discuss the following questions:
How can symbiotic relationships among organisms in an ecosystem influence populations?
Why are interactions between organisms important?
What would an ecosystem with no interactions be like?
What are some examples of ways that humans interact with their environment, and what relationships would you use to label those interactions?
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
It's go time! You have done all the hard work, now let's see how much you remember from your adventure outside. Feel free to look back and review for each of the questions. Good luck!
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