Students first consider what supports all life on Earth and are then introduced to the levels of environmental organization (biosphere, biome, ecosystem, community, population, and organism). The ecosystem concept is developed using the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Non-Game Wildlife posters to identify the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. Students then differentiate between ecosystems that are managed by humans and those that are not. Finally, landcover maps provide a basis for discussing distribution of forest, wetland, coastal dune, agriculture, urban area, lake, and river/stream ecosystems within and surrounding Michigan.

Two additional extensions for this lesson are included in the notebook immediately following this lesson: (1) Ecosystem Scavenger Hunt and (2) Wildlife Habitat Riddles. (A third extension, Observing Schoolyard Ecosystems, is on the MEECS Ecosystems & Biodiversity CD). 

Students answer the essential questions: 

What is an ecosystem and what types of ecosystems do we have in Michigan? 

What larger ecosystem is Michigan a part of?

Subject/Target Grade

Science and Social Studies/ Upper Elementary & Middle School (4-6)

Duration

60 minutes – Classroom setting

Materials

per class

• classroom globe (optional)

• What Makes Michigan A Special Place to Live? (teacher resource) Refer to Background Information section, or optional—use PowerPoint presentation on the MEECS Ecosystems & Biodiversity CD

• Levels of Interaction (transparency master)

• overhead projector

• Set of Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Non-Game Wildlife Posters (teacher should laminate these before using)

– Coastal Dunes

– Wetlands

– Michigan Forests

– Jack Pine Forest

– Rivers

• Michigan Landcover map (classroom poster)

per small group

• Is That really an Ecosystem? card set (12 cards)

• Michigan Landcover map, desktop size (optional)

per student

• Getting to Know Michigan Ecosystems (optional student activity page)