23-24 ER 3.5 - Elorde Tuliao | Library

ER 3.5 Decomposers, Nutrients, and Ecosystems
Objective: KWBAT use a digital modeling tool, a resource book, and an incomplete argument to fully identify the role that nutrients play in plant growth and health.

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Which of the following grows by making food molecules and changing food molecules into body molecules that can build their bodies?

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Which of the following uses some food molecules to release energy for movement and growth.

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When decomposers break down dead organisms, where do they put the nutrients that are released?

You will use a digital model to demonstrate your understanding of the effects of various parts of the environment on plant growth.

INVESTIGATION QUESTION
Why aren’t the cecropia trees growing and thriving in the soil?

GOAL: Show the effects of six different environments on plants.

DIRECTIONS:
Read the description of each environment.
Decide which picture best shows what the plants in that environment would look like.
In each box -  Choose healthy plants, unhealthy plants, or dead plants under each description.

Click on the link
https://learning.amplify.com/modelingtool/#/tool/161/level/35_Environments_Model_id_2729

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Choose healthy plants, unhealthy plants, or dead plants.

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Choose healthy plants, unhealthy plants, or dead plants.

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Choose healthy plants, unhealthy plants, or dead plants.

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Choose healthy plants, unhealthy plants, or dead plants.

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Choose healthy plants, unhealthy plants, or dead plants.

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Choose healthy plants, unhealthy plants, or dead plants.

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How do you think the rest of the ecosystem might be affected if the plants aren’t growing and thriving?

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Based on everything we’ve learned from observing the Ecosystem Restoration Simulation, reading Restoration Case Studies, and our class discussions, why do you think plants need nutrients to grow and thrive?

Nutrient World
Putting nutrients back in the soil helps new plants grow! Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are the main nutrients.

WHAT DOES EACH NUTRIENT DO?

Nitrogen is often called the Builder. It helps plants stay green by building strong stems and healthy green leaves. Nitrogen helps the plants we eat become good for us by adding proteins we need to grow and be strong.

Phosphorus is referred to as the Enforcer. It helps the plant trap and use the sun’s energy to make food (photosynthesis). Plants also need Phosphorus to grow healthy root systems.

Potassium is often called the Protector. Potassium protects our plants against diseases and helps them stay healthy when it is cold or dry. It also helps plants move nutrients and water in the plant to where it’s needed most.

More Restoration Case Studies
Let’s read about two real-life ecosystems in order to learn more about how nutrients affect plants.
DIRECTIONS:
Click on the link below to open to your first case study.
As you read, write notes about the role of nutrients in the ecosystem.

Cape Cod Salt Marshes (pages 6–11)

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What are the problems in the ecosystem?

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How are nutrients part of the restoration plan?

Alberta Forest and Wetlands (pages 12–17)

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What are the problems in the ecosystem?

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How are nutrients part of the restoration plan?

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Based on what you observed in the Simulation, noticed in your soil comparisons, and read in the reference book, what ideas do you now have about why plants need nutrients to grow and thrive?