Project Objective

Question

Build and explain a model of an ecosystem that shows the cycle of matter and flow of energy.

Procedures
You are going to build a shoebox diorama to demonstrate what you’ve learned about how energy flows and matter cycles through a system. During each part of the project, you will be adding a little more information until you have a complete diorama.

In this part of the project, you will be determining which animal you will focus on in your diorama and researching it.

Choose a plant-eating animal that you would like to learn more about. Once you’ve chosen your featured animal, research the following facts about that animal:

Where does your animal live?
What does your animal eat? (What is the main plant that your animal eats? This plant will be the featured plant on your diorama).
What other animals and plants live in this habitat?

Answer 1

Animal Choice: Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)

1. Habitat:

• Where does your animal live? The Eastern cottontail rabbit primarily inhabits areas across North America, particularly in the eastern United States and parts of Canada and Mexico. They are commonly found in grasslands, fields, and forest edges, where they can easily hide from predators and find food.

2. Diet:

• What does your animal eat? The Eastern cottontail rabbit is a herbivore. Its main diet consists of various types of grasses and clovers. However, one of the most favored plants is red clover (Trifolium pratense), which is a leguminous plant that provides both nutrition and hydration for the rabbits.

3. Ecosystem:

• What other animals and plants live in this habitat? In the Eastern cottontail's habitat, you can find a variety of other animals and plants:

  • Other Animals:

    • Predators: Foxes, hawks, and coyotes hunt cottontails.
    • Other Herbivores: Deer, squirrels, and various rodents share the same habitat and compete for similar food resources.
    • Invertebrates: Insects like grasshoppers and beetles are common and play a role in the ecosystem's health.

  • Plants:

    • In addition to red clover, other plants commonly found in the habitat include various species of grasses, dandelions, and wildflowers such as goldenrod and asters, which provide additional food sources for the cottontail and other herbivores.

Summary for Diorama:

• Featured Animal: Eastern cottontail rabbit
• Featured Plant: Red clover
• Habitat Components to Include:
  • Grass, wildflowers, and shrubs to represent vegetation
  • Models or drawings of other animals (predators and herbivores) that inhabit the same environment

This diorama will showcase the cycle of matter through the food web and the flow of energy as the rabbit consumes the plants and is in turn preyed upon by other animals. This project will provide an elegant representation of the interconnectedness of life within the cottontail's ecosystem.