The flow of energy and nutrients through a system requires an understanding of the components within that system. The interactive model below facilitates this understanding.
Nearly all water-soluble nutrients recycle back into the soil microbe food chain. Only those nutrients directly at the surface of the root are picked up by the plants.
Ask a Scientist only answers questions for teachers and their students grades 9-12 participating in the Teaching Ecological Complexity project. Parents of students in this program are also welcome to facilitate question submissions for their children.
Do you have a question about a protocol or classroom activity? This page is designed to provide answers to questions from teachers and students participating in the Ecoplexity project.
Please see the guidelines before submitting your questions. This will help you avoid submitting questions that cannot be answered.
Please fill out the form below as thoroughly as possible and click on the "Submit Question" button at the bottom of the page. Red asterisks denote required fields. Please submit questions about one protocol at a time. We will respond as soon as possible.
Investigators will determine rates of decomposition of litter by sow bugs under various conditions. The investigators will select different types of food, temperature, light, and moisture.
This activity shows students how competition, predation, and disease affect populations of elk, cattle, wolves, and hunters in a RockyMountain community. The game is interactive and perfect for 8th-12th grade students studying ecology.
