Contextualization

Introduction to the Theme

Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment, that is, how individuals interact with each other and with their surroundings. This field of biology is essential for understanding the complex systems that regulate life on Earth, from the interactions of small organisms in a forest soil to the global processes of energy and matter exchange.

The main concepts of ecology include population, community, ecosystem, biosphere, biodiversity, habitat, ecological niche, food chain, and food web. Through the study of these concepts, we can understand how organisms relate to each other, how nutrients and energy flow through ecosystems, and how human actions affect these delicate systems.

Ecology also concerns itself with the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of the environment. Moreover, many current environmental problems, such as climate change, habitat loss, and pollution, are directly or indirectly influenced by ecology. Thus, the study of ecology has important practical applications, as it can provide solutions to these challenges.

Contextualization and Importance of the Theme

In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, understanding ecological principles is more important than ever. In fact, human life is intrinsically linked to the environment, and how we take care of our planet directly affects our health, well-being, and survival.

Ecosystems provide a range of essential services, from air and water purification to the pollination of plants that produce our food. However, many of these services are at risk due to human actions. For example, habitat destruction and air and water pollution can lead to species extinction, which in turn can disrupt ecosystems and diminish their services.

In this sense, understanding ecology can help us make more informed decisions about how to use natural resources and how to minimize our impact on the environment. Furthermore, it can enable us to develop solutions to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems, thus ensuring a sustainable future for us and for future generations.

Resource Suggestions

To deepen your knowledge in ecology, we suggest some reliable sources:

1. Brazil School Portal: Ecology: This portal offers a series of articles on different topics in ecology, explained in a simple and clear way.

2. Book: Fundamentals of Ecology: This book, written by Eugene P. Odum, is a classic reference in the study of ecology. It provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts and principles of this science.

3. YouTube Videos on Ecology: There are many free online videos that can help you understand and visualize ecological concepts.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Mini Ecosystem in a Bottle"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to allow students to explore the basic concepts of ecology by building their own mini ecosystem in a bottle. Additionally, through this project, students will be able to directly observe how the different components of an ecosystem interact, the cycle of nutrients and energy, and the delicate balance necessary for life maintenance.

Detailed Project Description

Students, in groups of 3-5, will create their own mini ecosystem composed of plants and small invertebrates. In the following days, they will make daily observations to track the changes and development of their ecosystem. These observations and interpretations will then be compiled into a report.

Required Materials

• Transparent glass bottles with lids
• Soil
• Small plants (moss, herbs, etc.)
• Small invertebrates (worms, snails, etc.)
• Water
• Notebook and pen

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. First, the groups should wash their bottles and remove any labels.
2. Fill the bottle with soil to about 1/3 of its volume.
3. Plant the chosen plants inside the bottle.
4. Add the small invertebrates.
5. Add some water to moisten the soil.
6. Close the bottle.
7. Place the bottle in a location where it can receive light, but not directly under the sun.
8. Make daily observations of the mini ecosystem. Note changes in the plant, activity of invertebrates, water condensation, fungal growth, etc.

Project Deliverables

Students should prepare a report at the end of the project. This report will consist of four main parts. In the Introduction, students should contextualize the issue of ecology, its importance, and the project's objective.

In the Development section, students will describe the mini ecosystem they created, the process of its creation, and their daily observations. They should explain how the ecological concepts studied apply to their mini ecosystem. Additionally, students should also discuss the changes that occurred in the mini ecosystem and their possible causes.

In the Conclusions section, students should summarize the main points of their report and discuss the learnings and discoveries made during the project.

Finally, in the Bibliography section, students should list all sources of information used during the project.

These deliverables will allow students to demonstrate the variety of skills they acquired during this activity, such as understanding ecological concepts, observing and analyzing an ecosystem, and teamwork.