LS4.C: Adaptation

In this activity, students learn the importance of decomposers in terms of
breaking down dead organic matter and their broader importance in food webs in terms of nutrient recycling and bioturbation.

After discussing decomposers and their importance in the soil food web and
terrestrial ecosystem, students can create a log hotel, which is a terrarium habitat for common backyard decomposer organisms. Once they create their
habitat, they can find decomposers in their yard or local park to add and
observe. Decomposers are easy pets to keep and the log hotel can be kept
indefinitely!

his activity uses a qualitative nitrate test to observe results of some conversions and transformations in the nitrogen cycle.