Food webs

Nutrient Cycles and Energy Flow

Abstract

This learning cycle activity will guide students through interpreting a food web, identifying trophic levels and applying systems thinking terminology to the stocks and flows in the food web. Students will then build a trophic pyramid using the organisms from the food web. Learners will be able to: 1) interpret food web relationships and identify trophic levels (TL) in the ecosystem, 2) apply systems terminology (stocks & flows) and trace the flow of a carbon atom in a food web, and 3) construct an energy pyramid using organisms from a food web. This is intended for undergraduate students in a classroom setting. This activity is appropriate for introductory non-majors general biology or environmental science courses. 

Level: Undergraduate
Setting: Classroom
Activity Type: Learning Cycle
Discipline: Biology
Course: General Biology or Environmental Science
Keywords: food web, trophic levels, systems thinking, ecosystem, carbon cycle, energy pyramid