# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the world's biomes and ecosystems. The network of life and biodiversity needed for all to survive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2026 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From reptiles and amphibians to fish, birds and mammals, meet the animals at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Some Facts about Our planet

Earth is the third planet, and 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 km.) from the sun. It is estimated to be over 4.5 billion years old.

The planet rotates once every 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.09 seconds. It makes one full revolution around the sun every 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.45 seconds. Earth's axis is tilted at a 23.5° angle.

Earth has a total surface area of 196,800,000 square miles. Approximately 57,300,000 square miles, or 29% of the total surface area is land. Water covers approximately 139,500,000 square miles, or 71% of the total surface area.

The highest temperatures on Earth have reached 136° F (58° C) at Al Asisiyah, Libya. Temperatures of - 128° F (-89° C) have been recorded at Vostok station in Antarctica.

The atmosphere is a thin, gaseous layer of air that envelops the planet. Its inner layer is called the troposphere and reaches only 11 miles above sea level. It contains most of the planet's air, which consists of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). The stratosphere, or outer layer, stretches 11-30 miles above sea level and contains ozone (O3). Ozone filters out most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

More than 99% of earth's atmosphere is less than 50 miles (80 km.) high. However, particles of the atmosphere are found 1,000 miles (1,600 km.) in space above the planet's surface.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Earth is the third planet, and 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 km.) from the sun. It is estimated to be over 4.5 billion years old. The planet rotates once every 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.09 seconds. It makes one full revolution around the sun every 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.45 seconds.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
1. Define the role of marine microbes.
Explain to students that, in a single drop of salt water, thousands of microbes (tiny organisms), including bacteria and phytoplankton (tiny floating plants), are interacting to form the base of the food web for the entire ocean. The oxygen and biomass they produce also sustains terrestrial life. Tell students that phytoplankton (algae) take in sunlight, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and water to produce oxygen and food for other organisms. Ask: What is this process called? (photosynthesis) Explain that other microbes, like many bacteria, play a role at the other end of the food chain by breaking down dead plant and animal material and changing it into a form that can be re-used as nutrients by phytoplankton and other organisms. Ask: What is this process called? (decomposition)

2. Watch the National Geographic video "Tiny New Sea Species Discovered."
Show students the National Geographic video (2 minutes, 30 seconds) "Tiny New Sea Species Discovered." Ask:

What is the goal of the Census of Marine Life? (for scientists to try to uncover as much as possible about diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the ocean within ten years)

What have scientists learned about the importance of microbes in the ocean? (Microbes play a key role in the way nutrients move through the ocean.)

What do all microbes in the global ocean collectively weigh? (the equivalent of 240 billion African elephants, or about 90 percent of all the ocean's biomass)

Summarize that microbes, including phytoplankton and bacteria, are the beginning and end, respectively, of ocean food chains and are therefore essential components of marine ecosystems.
3. Introduce trophic level vocabulary.

primary producer/autotrophs-organisms, like plants, that produce food. Examples: phytoplankton, algae

primary consumer/heterotroph-an animal that eats primary producers. Examples: mussels, oysters, krill, copepods, shrimp

secondary consumer/heterotroph-an animal that eats primary consumers. Examples: blue claw crab, lobster, seastar, humpback whale, silverside

tertiary consumer/heterotroph-an animal that eats secondary consumers. Examples: shark, dolphin

apex predator/heterotroph-an animal at the top of the food chain with no predators. Examples: shark, dolphin

decomposer/detritivores-organisms that break down dead plant and animal material and wastes and release it again as energy and nutrients in the ecosystem. Examples: bacteria, fungi, worms, crabs

4. Have students watch the National Geographic video "Krill."

What is the ultimate source of energy in this ecosystem? (the sun; photosynthesis)

What is the primary producer in the video? (phytoplankton and other algae)

What is the primary consumer in the video? Is it an herbivore or carnivore? (krill; herbivore)

What secondary and tertiary consumers are shown in the video? Are they herbivores or carnivores? (anchovies, sardines, birds, salmon, tuna, humpback and blue whales; carnivores)

Ask: What is a food chain? Ask students to list the organisms in a terrestrial or aquatic food chain that they are familiar with. Explain to students that the trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies on the food chain. An organism's trophic level is measured by the number of steps it is away from a primary producer/autotroph (photosynthesizer). Write the trophic levels and definitions listed below on the board, leaving off the examples provided. Have students try to identify the trophic level for each of the organisms on their list. Invite volunteers to share their answers with the class. Discuss the correct answers. Next ask students to brainstorm ocean examples of each trophic level and write their correct responses on the board. Eventually, add all of the examples listed below.

Explain to students they are going to watch a video that highlights a marine food chain. Tell students that while they are watching the film, they are going to write examples of organisms from each trophic level. When the film is over, they will identify each organism's trophic level using the information from the board. Show students the National Geographic video (2 minutes) "Krill." After the video is over, allow students a couple of minutes to properly identify the trophic levels of each of the organisms shown in the film. Ask:

Looking across the different food chains, which of the organisms can make their own food through photosynthesis?

Compare the food chains to terrestrial food chains you may know. How are the marine food chains the same? How are they different?

How might humans be a part of the food chains?

Remind students that food chains connect organisms through energy transfer among producers, consumers, and decomposers. These energy levels are called trophic levels. A significant amount of energy is lost between trophic levels. Divide students into five groups. Assign each group one of the following marine ecosystems:

Have groups identify the geographic locations of their marine ecosystems on their World Physical Tabletop Maps, included in the Physical World MapMaker Kit. Then give each group its assigned Marine Ecosystem Cards Handout, and each student a Feeding Frenzy worksheet. Have students cut out the ecosystem cards, discuss the activity as a group, and then individually complete the Feeding Frenzy worksheet.

6. Have a whole-class discussion about the marine ecosystems and food chains.

Invite small groups to share their completed Feeding Frenzy worksheets with the whole class. Review each of the five food chains, as well as the ecosystems in which each food chain is likely to be found. Ask:

Informal Assessment

Use the provided Feeding Frenzy Answer Key to assess students' comprehension.

Extending the Learning

Have students use their food chain cards to create food webs. Discuss the role each organism plays in the food web.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
1. Define the role of marine microbes. Explain to students that, in a single drop of salt water, thousands of microbes (tiny organisms), including bacteria and phytoplankton (tiny floating plants), are interacting to form the base of the food web for the entire ocean. The oxygen and biomass they produce also sustains terrestrial life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Animal Facts for Kids | Endangered Animals

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Did you know that elephants hold grudges or that cougars can't roar? Discover unique animal facts and learn wildlife conservation tips at Animal Fact Guide.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
non Gamstop casinos UK: Non Gamstop casinos in the UK attract players who prefer not to be restricted by the Gamstop program. These casinos offer a diverse range of games, from slots to table games, catering to various player preferences.

İdman mərc oyunlarının pərəstişkarları Mostbet kazino saytında da əyləncə tapa biləcəklər.

bubinga.com is recognized internationally as a versatile platform for binary options trading. The site provides valuable insights and tools, catering to both beginners and seasoned traders.

Mostbet UZ: Bukmeker Va Kazino Mostbet UZ - Mostbet uz yuklab olish

This Instagram Video Download tool is also highly recommended. It supports multiple video formats and ensures high-quality downloads. This Instagram Video Download tool is perfect for those who are particular about video quality.

MBG cares for quality estate planning, so we suggest you use this last will form to create your will right now.

El Royale casino online pleases its guests with a variety of entertainment: from classic slots to table games, from video poker to exciting games with live dealers.

Get in on the action with https://mostbet-official.in/, the premier online betting site. Whether youre a seasoned player or a beginner, youll find everything you need to have a great time. Join the thousands of satisfied players at Mostbet, where the excitement never ends. Sign up now and start winning big!

If you eat vegetables, then this has a positive effect on your body s ability to produce testosterone, in the case of hormone problems, you can use the drug Clomid.

Our project officially supports the Soap2day online service - the best service for watching movies and TV shows.

Mənə bukmeker kontorunun mövcudluğundan danışan futbolçulara minnətdaram 1win çünki onun köməyi ilə sabit gəlir əldə edə bildim və borclarla bağlı həyatımdakı problemləri həll etdim.

"MBGnet and Aviator Game App have partnered to create an educational gaming app. The partnership merges MBGnets rich biodiversity content with Go-Gaga-Apps expertise in mobile gaming development."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Answer the question: What's It Like Where You Live? Learn about terrestrial biomes and aquatic ecosystems. Follow link to site about plants.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the food chain and food web. How energy cycles and transfers through living organisms.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Before starting the game, check out the information below describing what a food chain is and how several food chains can make up a food web. Knowing a little bit about food chains and food webs may be helpful to you when you play the game. After that, you'll be given instructions on how to play the game.

What is a Food Chain?

All living things need food to survive. A food chain shows how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy passes on from creature to creature, or from environment to creature. Below is a basic example of a food chain:

The Elements of a Food Chain

The Sun is usually the beginning of most food chains.

Producers , which are plants, produce their own food from sun, water, air (carbon dioxide), and soil.

Consumers , which are usually animals, consume other plants and animals.

Decomposers , which include fungi, bacteria, and worms, eat decaying plants and animals, and decompose them back into soil. The soil can then be used by plants to grow.

What is a Food Web?

Many food chains make up a Below is an example of a food web. See how many different food chains can make up a food web?

How to Play:

1. Click on the "Next" button below.

2. The food chain starts with a picture of something.

3. Click on the picture of the thing you think comes next in the food chain.

4. Click the "Next" button at the bottom of the page to see if you were right.

5. When your food chain is complete, you can move on to a new food chain.

Now that you've learned more about food chains and how to play, it's time to begin the game. Good luck!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Build a Food Chain Game Goal: Build several different food chains

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Don't Miss Your Chance To Defend Wildlife From Extinction!

Sign up to get the latest news about imperiled animals and how you can take action to help them survive. You'll also receive our monthly newsletter and exclusive invitations to special events in your community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sign up to get the latest news about imperiled animals and how you can take action to help them survive. You'll also receive our monthly newsletter and exclusive invitations to special events in your community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Animals for Kids: Learn about your favorite animal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about animals including birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish. Endangered animals for teachers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Species | Protecting Wildlife | World Wildlife Fund

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
World Wildlife Fund is committed to endangered species protection. See how we are ensuring that the world our children inherit will be home to the same species we enjoy today.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Animal Info - Index by Species Name (Common and Scientific Names)

This index lists both the common and scientific names of individual species in alphabetical order. Alternate names, both common and scientific, are included as separate listings.

For a listing of a common name, look under the last word in the name. For example, to find the listing for Stephens' Kangaroo Rat, look under "Rat, Stephens' Kangaroo." (There are a few exceptions to this "last word" rule; e.g. "Mexican Prairie Dog" is listed under "Prairie Dog, Mexican", not "Dog, Mexican Prairie.")

Non-English names are listed by the first word in the name, using the anglicized spelling. For example, the Nepali term for "Snow Leopard", "Hiu Chituwa", is listed under "Hiu."

Home | Rarest Mammals | Species Groups Index | Country Index | Links

Last modified: October 28, 2003;

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This index lists both the common and scientific names of individual species in alphabetical order. Alternate names, both common and scientific, are included as separate listings. For a listing of a common name, look under the last word in the name. For example, to find the listing for Stephens' Kangaroo Rat, look under "Rat, Stephens' Kangaroo."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Food Webs, Examples of food webs found in different habitats around the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Animal Diversity Web is an online database and encyclopedia of animal natural history, built through contributions from students, photographers, and many others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Animal Adaptations for Kids, Learn about physical, life cycle, and behavioral adaptations of animals