Building Ecological Pyramids

In this activity, students use the website WildCam Gorongosa to gather and analyze data from trail camera photos in Gorongosa National Park. Students use this data to predict, plan, and build a biomass pyramid for species in the park.

First, students visit WildCam Gorongosa to learn about the animals in the park and predict which animals belong to different trophic levels. Students then visit WildCam Gorongosa Lab, a part of WildCam Gorongosa where they can view, filter, and download trail camera data. Students use these data to build a biomass pyramid for a specific vegetation type (habitat) in the park. This activity encourages students to make connections between species, trophic levels, and vegetation types and to assess the stability of ecological communities within an ecosystem. Students also interpret and construct explanations, develop and use models, organize and analyze scientific data, and perform calculations using a spreadsheet program.

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