Contextualization

Biology is a fascinating science that enables us to understand the world around us, from the smallest cell to complex ecosystems. At the core of this study are biocycles, key to understanding how life functions at different levels of complexity.

Biocycles are subdivided into three categories: the epinocycle, which refers to terrestrial environments; the thalassocycle, which refers to marine environments; and the limnocycle, which refers to freshwater environments. Each biocycle has its specificities and characteristics that species need to survive and thrive in it.

Furthermore, each biocycle interacts with the others and these interactions are vital for the global functioning of the biosphere, our "common home." Understanding how these biocycles work and interact is crucial for our ability to preserve biodiversity and face the challenges that global changes present us with.

Importance of biocycles

Biocycles play a fundamental role in maintaining life on Earth. They provide a variety of ecosystem services - benefits that humans obtain directly or indirectly from ecosystems. This includes things like water purification, pollination of plants, control of pests and diseases, among others.

Furthermore, understanding how biocycles work helps us to better understand the biodiversity of our planet. The diversity of life is what makes our world unique, and protecting it is one of the greatest responsibilities we have. Understanding the different biocycles and how they interact with each other helps us protect this biodiversity.

Students can learn more in the following resources:

1. Biocycles
2. The importance of ecosystems for life
3. Ecosystem services - What are they and what is their importance?

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring Biocycles: A Journey Through Life on Earth"

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is for students to thoroughly explain how each of the planet's three biocycles (epinocycle, thalassocycle, and lim nocycle) works, the interactions between them, and the impact of these interactions on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Students should use this exploration to create a three-dimensional model representing the three biocycles and their interactions.

Detailed Project Description:

This project will be carried out by groups of 3 to 5 students and should take more than twelve hours of work per student to complete. We will combine biology with art and physics to create a three-dimensional model that represents the biocycles and their interactions.

Students will have to research and learn about each of the biocycles, examine how they overlap and interact, and how these interactions affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. The students should then use this knowledge to create a three-dimensional model representing these interactions.

Materials needed:

• Cardboard or recycled material for the model's structure.
• Paint, markers, and other art materials to decorate the model.
• Clay or modeling clay to create three-dimensional representations.
• Internet access for research.
• Computer with word processing software to write the report.

Step-by-step detailed instructions for carrying out the activity:

1. Research the three biocycles, focusing on their characteristics, the living beings that inhabit each one, and how they interact with each other.
2. Discuss as a group how to represent this information in a three-dimensional model.
3. Sketch a plan for your model, including what materials you will use and how they will be arranged.
4. Begin building the model following the plan outlined, making adjustments as needed.
5. Once the model is finished, start writing the report, explaining the theory behind the biocycles, the methodology used to build the model, and discussing the results obtained.
6. Review and finalize the report and prepare to present your model and report to the class.

Project Deliverables:

The groups will deliver:

1. A three-dimensional model representing the three biocycles and their interactions.
2. A detailed report addressing:
   • Introduction: Contextualizing the theme, its relevance, and real-world application, as well as the purpose of this project.
   • Development: Explain the theory of biocycles and their interactions, describe in detail the activity performed, indicate the methodology used, and present and discuss the results obtained represented by the model.
   • Conclusion: Summarize the main points, explain the knowledge acquired, and draw conclusions about the project.
   • Bibliography: Indicate the sources used to work on the project.

The report should complement the three-dimensional model, explaining the choices made during its construction and what each part represents. Each component of the model must be explained in detail in the report, which in turn must be aligned with what was learned about the biocycles.