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Energy Flow through Ecosystems

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Trophic pyramid divided into 3 layers each with different marine organisms

Topic

  • Ecology
  • Matter & Energy
  • Ecosystems
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Graph Interpretation

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
8 Users
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Description

This Click & Learn traces the flow of energy from the Sun all the way to cells within organisms. The embedded questions and calculations guide students’ understanding of how energy is distributed through a variety of ecosystems. 

Most students are familiar with the concept of energy transfer within ecosystems. But how does energy enter an ecosystem, and what role does it play in the structure of the ecosystem? In this Click & Learn, students explore the source of Earth’s energy and the factors that control how much energy ends up in different trophic levels. 

This Click & Learn is an interdisciplinary overview of the movement of energy through ecosystems and could be used as an introduction to the concept or as a summative experience. 

Student Learning Targets

  • Calculate the amounts of energy entering different ecosystems around the world.
  • Explain factors that lead to variation in energy in different ecosystems.
  • Explain how the movement and transfer of energy within an ecosystem influences the trophic structure.

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

biomass, cellular respiration, consumer, electromagnetic radiation, food chain, photosynthesis, producer, productivity, solar energy, trophic level

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Interactive media meets criteria.

Version History

Date Published 03.03.23

NGSS 2013

HS-LS1-5, HS-LS1-7, HS-LS2-4; SEP5

AP Biology 2019

ENE-1.H, ENE-1.M, ENE-1.N, ENE-1.O; SP4

IB Biology 2016

4.2, C.2

AP Environmental Science 2020

Topic(s): 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11
Learning Objectives & Practices: ENG-1.A–D; SP5, SP6 

IB Environmental Systems and Societies 2017

2.3

Common Core 2010

Math.A-SSE.1

Vision and Change 2009

CC2, CC4, DP2

Materials

Transcript (PDF) 197 KB

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