The TwiLIFE Zone

The biotic (living) elements found (or not found) in an environment like Mount Rainier's alpine ecosystem are influenced by abiotic (non-living) factors such as temperature, wind, water flow, rock type, and soil.

NPS, Steve Redman

 

Overview:	In this inquiry-based activity students will conduct a field study of four different environments as they focus on sunlight, soil, rock types, temperature, wind, water flow, plants, and animals in each environment. By comparing different environments, students will consider how nonliving elements influence living elements in an ecosystem.
Grade Level:	5 - 8
Objectives:	Students will describe similarities and differences they observe in the non-living (abiotic) and living (biotic) components in four life zones. Students will identify ways that abiotic components of an ecosystem affect biotic components.
Lesson Plan:	The TwiLIFE Zone - word, 53KB The TwiLIFE Zone - pdf, 754KB
Resources:	The TwiLIFE Zone Brainstorming Questions The TwiLIFE Zone Data Sheet