Web of Life Activity Adapted by Barbara Laurenson

A Food Chain A food chain’s energy is transferred in sequence; for example, energy from sunlight, to green plants, to animals that eat plants, and to animals that eat other animals. Green plants use the sun’s energy directly to make food. When animals eat green plants and other animals eat those animals, the energy moves from one living thing to another along the food chain. Animals that eat plants are called herbivores, animals that eat both plants and animals are called omnivores, and animals that eat only other animals are called carnivores: Ultimately, all members of a food chain depend on the energy from the sun that green plants transform into food energy.

An Aquatic Food Web Food webs are more complex than food chains. They consist of several food chains that are interconnected. The following example is a food chain, which together makes a food web. It shows how all organisms in the habitat are interconnected and depend on each other for their survival.

What is Interdependence? Discuss and list the essential components of a healthy habitat: food, water, shelter, and space. If desired, “air” can be assumed. Discuss and list the essential components of a healthy habitat: food, water, shelter, and space. If desired, “air” can be assumed. Note that if one of these components is missing from a habitat, a plant or animal may not be able to survive in that habitat. Note that if one of these components is missing from a habitat, a plant or animal may not be able to survive in that habitat. Living things are intricately woven into a web of mutual dependence on other living things and their non-living surroundings creating a system of interdependence. Living things are intricately woven into a web of mutual dependence on other living things and their non-living surroundings creating a system of interdependence. Through the development of knowledge, cooperation skills, and responsible, caring behavior, students will learn the importance of stewardship and their role in maintaining a healthy environment. Through the development of knowledge, cooperation skills, and responsible, caring behavior, students will learn the importance of stewardship and their role in maintaining a healthy environment.

The Activity

Final Thought “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” Author unknown.