Build a Model of an Ecosystem

Your Challenge

Design and construct an energy model of a Missouri ecosystem. Once your model is stable, predict how an environmental disturbance cascades through the food web.

Investigation Steps

1. Select a Missouri Biome: Prairie, deciduous forest, Ozark stream, or wetland pond.
2. Diagram the Energy Flow: Include at least 6 organisms across trophic levels (producers, primary/secondary consumers, and decomposers). Direct arrows toward where energy is transferred (e.g., Prey → Predator).
3. Introduce an Ecological Disturbance: Choose a multi-year drought, an insect population crash, or the arrival of an invasive apex predator.
4. Trace the Trophic Cascade: Mark which populations increase, decline, or relocate, noting the direct and indirect causes.
5. Synthesize & Share: Deliver a 60-second summary explaining how feedback loops in your ecosystem adapted to the shock.

Model Planning Sheet