Introduction
“Imagine Earth without rainforests, coral reefs, or even bees. How would life change? In this WebQuest, you’ll travel to different ecosystems around the world to explore their biodiversity and discover how plants, animals, and humans depend on each other for survival. Let’s explore how ecosystems work and why it’s crucial to protect them.”
Task
The task is to investigate one specific ecosystem (e.g., rainforest, coral reef, desert) and create a multimedia presentation that answers the following questions:
1. What are the key characteristics of this ecosystem?
2. What types of plants and animals live there?
3. Why is biodiversity important in this ecosystem?
4. How are human activities affecting this ecosystem?
You will work in teams of 3-4 and create a presentation with images, graphs, and facts to share with the class."
Process
Step 1: Choose an Ecosystem – Each team will select an ecosystem from the following list: rainforests, grasslands, coral reefs, deserts, or tundra.
2. Step 2: Research – Use the provided resources to research your ecosystem. Assign roles in your group (e.g., researcher, designer, presenter).
3. Step 3: Organize Information – Answer the guiding questions by organizing your research into key sections (e.g., ecosystem characteristics, importance of biodiversity, human impact).
4. Step 4: Create the Presentation – Design your presentation using tools like PowerPoint, Canva, or Google Slides.
5. Step 5: Present – Prepare to share your findings with the class.
Resources:
National Geographic – Ecosystems
World Wildlife Fund – Biodiversity
BBC Earth – The World’s Biomes
Smithsonian Institution – Human Impact on Ecosystems
Conclusion
“Congratulations on completing your journey through Earth’s ecosystems! You have learned not only about the characteristics of these ecosystems but also why biodiversity is vital to life on Earth. Take a moment to reflect on how your own actions might impact these ecosystems and what you can do to help protect the diversity of life around you.”