In Ecosystems and Food Webs students will explore the interdependence of animals within an ecosystem, using the Gir forest of India and a real life example. After discussing the key concepts of an ecosystem and food web, students will be given the opportunity to build their own using an iPad app. They will then investigate the effects of a declining species in this food web and be encouraged to source information and make predictions about how the ecosystem could react. Finally they'll explore the real life example of when this species did indeed disappear and the work that was done by ZSL and partner organisations to help it.

Age: KS3 (11 - 14 years old) Duration: 45 minutes Capacity: 35 students Indoor Workshop

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Pupils will be able to:

  • Build a food web using technology
  • Gain an understanding of an example habitat and the species that live there
  • Source appropriate information about interdependence and make predictions about how an ecosystem might change if species’ abundance changes
  • Gain an understanding of what conservation work ZSL is doing in India
National Curriculum Links
KS3 Biology Working Scientifically Experimental skills and investigations
  • Make predications using scientific knowledge and understanding
Interactions and interdependencies Relationships in an ecosystem
  • How organisms affect, and are affected by, their environment, including the accumulation of toxic materials.
  • The interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem, including food webs and insect pollinated crops