Science Update by Joey

In science class we have been studying about ecosystems. An ecosystem is a place where abiotic and biotic factors live. The two together make a habitat where lots of animals live. Abiotic factors are non-living and biotic factors are living. In an ecosystem the abiotic factors sometimes make a home or shelter for the biotic factors. Some types of ecosystems are wetlands such as marshes, bogs, and swamps. There are also forests and grasslands. You have two different types of water: you have fresh water like ponds and lakes and you have saltwater such as the ocean and salt water marshes. There are many more types of bodies of water but I can’t describe them all. Sometimes when an animal dies in an ecosystem it can cause all the living animals to die. Maybe if a rat dies something that is supposed to eat it might die and the thing that ate the other animal will die too and the whole food web is going to get destroyed. If that were to happen the whole ecosystem will get destroyed. That is why it is so important for an animal to stay alive for a long time. So the tiniest little change can cause a lot of damage in an ecosystem.

By: Joey

Field Trip to Congaree National Park 10/26/11

We had a great time on our field trip to Congaree National Park.  It was chilly in the morning walking among the dense trees, but it warmed up and we had beautiful weather!! Ranger William took us along the boardwalk and talked about different parts of the park.  We learned about many different organisms living in the floodplain, such as cypress trees and their roots called "knees."  We discovered a tree that had been struck by lightning, but is still living, and has become a home to bats and other small organisms. These are just a few things we saw along the 2 mile walk! We enjoyed treats from Avery and Bailey, and we thank our chaperones who drove to be with us at the Park.  What a successful field trip!