Food Web Diagram Research Project
Research animals in an ecosystem and draw a food web showing who eats whom. A visual way to understand energy flow, predators, and ecological balance.
What You'll Need
- 1Index cards
- 2Poster board or large paper
- 3Markers and colored pencils
- 4Reference books or internet access
- 5Tape or glue
What You'll Need
Index cards for organism names and drawings
Poster board or large paper
Markers and colored pencils
Reference books or internet access for research
Tape or glue
How to Play
Choose an ecosystem: forest, ocean, desert, arctic, or backyard.
Research 8-10 organisms: plants, herbivores, predators, decomposers.
Draw each on an index card. Arrange on poster board: plants at bottom, predators at top.
Draw arrows from food to consumer: "Grass → rabbit → fox."
Connect all relationships. Multiple arrows = a web, not a chain.
Add decomposers connecting back to the soil.
"What if rabbits disappear? How does that affect everything else?"
Why It Works
A food web visualizes how energy flows through an ecosystem and how all organisms are connected. The arrow direction teaches that energy moves from eaten to eater, which is counterintuitive at first. The "what if" questions reveal ecological balance: removing one species cascades through the entire web. This systems thinking is valuable far beyond biology.
Tips
Draw arrows from food to eater, not the other way around. The arrow represents energy transfer.
Include decomposers (fungi, bacteria, worms) — they're essential but often forgotten.
Your backyard is a legitimate ecosystem to study. Grass, ants, birds, cats, earthworms — it's all connected.
The "what if" thought experiment is the most valuable part. It teaches cascading effects and interdependence.
For advanced kids, research a real ecological disaster (overhunting wolves in Yellowstone) and trace the cascade through the food web.
Color-code trophic levels: green for producers, yellow for primary consumers, red for predators, brown for decomposers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 45 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: index cards, poster board or large paper, markers and colored pencils, reference books or internet access, tape or glue.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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