Ecosystem Worksheets

Ecology: Forest Diversity
        Ecosystem worksheets and ecology lesson plans designed for high school, middle school, and elementary school life science teachers are downloadable here. NGSS Life Science offers many great lessons. Click the Free Lesson Plan (PDF) link below or become a member to get access to the answer key and editable file. Free ecosystem curriculum includes:
  • Ecology Multimedia
    California’s Energy Initiative
    Free Video
     
    High School Multimedia
    California looks into developing clean energy to supply its needs. Economics, environmental science, politics, and electricity generation topics are covered.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS2-7
    HS-LS4-6
    		  
    Published by WGBH Educational Foundation
  • Ecology Lab Experiment
    Particulates in the Air Lab
    Free Lesson Plan
     
    High School Lab
    Students put Petroleum jelly on microscope slides to collect air particulates at different locations. Students then discuss the likely sources of the particulates.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS2-7
    HS-LS4-6
    		  
    Published by Stephen Levine
  • Ecology Worksheet
    Examining the Stages in Ecological Succession
    Free Lesson Plan
     
    Middle School Worksheet
    Students analyze how a pond changes and answer questions based upon the pictures of the pond.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS2-2
    HS-LS2-6
    MS-LS2-4 (Ecosystem Affect on Populations)
    		  
    Published by Shannan Muskopf
  • Ecology Lab Experiment
    Invertebrate Lab
    Free Student Handout
    Free Teacher Notes
     
    Elementary School Lab
    In this invertebrate lab, students compare the anatomy of earthworms, snails, and several arthropods. All of the invertebrates in this lab can be purchased at a low cost from a local pet store.
    NGSS Standard
    MS-LS1-1 (Cell Types)
    MS-LS1-4 (Animal Plant Structures)
    4-LS1-1 (Plant Animal Structures)
    		  
    Published by Ingrid Waldron and Jennifer Doherty
  • Ecology Lab Experiment
    Populations & Ecosystem Stability Lab
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Lab
    In this population and ecosystem stability lab, students participate in an activity that models predator-prey and how resilient a population can be when limiting factors are introduced or removed. Students will model biotic and abiotic factors and how those factors affect population size. At the end of the experiment, students will make a population growth graph based on the experiment and calculate the growth rate through many generations.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS2-1
    HS-LS2-2
    HS-LS2-6
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Ecology Worksheet
    Expressing Ideas for Patterns in Ecosystems Worksheet
    Free Student Handout
    Free Multimedia
    Free Student Handout
    Free Lesson Plan
     
    High School Worksheet
    In this ecosystem worksheet, students ask questions about changes to matter and energy in a meadow ecosystem.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS2-1
    HS-LS2-6
    MS-LS2-1 (Resource Availability)
    		  
    Published by Carbon TIME
  • Ecology Worksheet
    North American Biomes Worksheet
    Free Lesson Plan
     
    Middle School Worksheet
    Students color in the appropriate biome on a map of North America. Students then answer several questions about those biomes.
    NGSS Standard
    MS-LS2-1 (Resource Availability)
    		  
    Published by Shannan Muskopf
Environmental Science


Ecosystem Concepts

  • Ecosystem Biodiversity - biotic factors and abiotic factors.
  • Competition - niche, limited resources.
  • Predator and Prey Interactions
  • Symbiosis - parasites, mutualism, commensalism, symbiotic relationship.
  • Biological Communities - the different species living in a habitat.
  • Biomes of the World - tundra biome, desert biome, marine biome, grassland biome, taiga biome, temperate grassland biomes, temperate deciduous forest biome, tropical rain forest biome, savanna biome, polar ice biome.
  • What is an Ecosystem - biological community and physical environmental factors.
  • Forest Ecosystems - rainforest ecosystem, tropical rainforest ecosystems, temperate rainforest ecosystems, tropical dry forests, deciduous forests, coniferous forests.
  • Aquatic Ecosystems - freshwater ecosystems, ocean ecosystems, wetland ecosystem, marine ecosystems, pond ecosystems.
  • Other Ecosystems - desert ecosystems, tundra ecosystem, grassland ecosystems, soil ecosystems.
  • Acid Rain - air pollution, sulfuric acid.
  • Global Warming - greenhouse gases, greenhouse effect.
  • Ozone Layer - CFC chlorofluorocarbons, O3, ultra violent radiation.
  • Loss of Biodiversity - deforestation, extinction of species.
  • Toxic Magnification - accumulation of toxins in higher trophic levels.
  • Resource Depletion - topsoil erosion, ground water pollution and depletion, non-renewable resources, rate of renewable resources.


Lessons Organized by NGSS Standard