Contextualization

Environmental balance is a fundamental concept for understanding the functioning of ecosystems and the interdependence of living beings. In other words, it is the harmony and stability observed in nature, where all elements interact and complement each other. Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and excessive consumption of natural resources can disrupt this balance, causing serious consequences for biodiversity and human life.

Concern for environmental balance has become more urgent in the face of current climate change. The increase in global temperature, changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather events are signs that the balance of our planet is being disrupted. This balance is essential for the sustenance of life on Earth, and its alterations can lead to significant losses of biodiversity and drastic changes in our ways of life.

Environmental balance is crucial for the future of our society, as it impacts many aspects of our lives, from food production to the quality of the air we breathe. Preserving environmental balance is essential to prevent natural disasters, maintain a wide diversity of plants and animals, and ensure that Earth is a suitable habitat for future generations. Therefore, it is important that we understand this concept well and its implications.

Practical Activity

Title: Building a Mini Ecosystem

Project Objectives

The objective of this project is to understand the concept of environmental balance by visualizing the components and processes of an ecosystem firsthand. As each group member contributes to the creation and maintenance of the project, the activity will also provide valuable practice in teamwork, communication, and time management.

Detailed Project Description

Student groups will research and create their own sealed mini ecosystems known as 'ecospheres' or 'closed terrariums.' These terrariums are self-sufficient microcosms that reflect the natural balance that occurs in the environment. The activity will allow students to observe directly how different species interact to form a balanced environment.

Materials Needed

1. Transparent glass containers with airtight lids (glass jars, small glass aquarium, etc.)
2. Soil (arable soil, pebbles, or sand)
3. Small plants or seedlings (moss, succulents, etc.)
4. Water
5. Small invertebrates or insects (slugs, snails, earthworms, ants, etc.)

Steps to Carry Out the Project

1. Research ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental balance based on the recommended sources and any other reliable sources you find.

2. Discuss how you intend to structure your mini ecosystem. Make group decisions on what type of soil and which plant and animal species to include.

3. Assemble the terrarium: Add a layer of rocks or sand to the bottom of the container for drainage, followed by a layer of soil. Then add the selected plants and, finally, the chosen invertebrates or insects.

4. Close the terrarium and keep it in a location where it receives indirect light. Observe and record changes over a week.

5. At the end of the project, each group writes a detailed report on their observations and learnings.

Project Deliverables

1. Written report: The report should contain an introduction, development, conclusions, and bibliography. The introduction should contextualize the project and explain why environmental balance is important. The development should detail the process of creating the ecosystem, the observations made, and any research used to support the project. The conclusions should reflect on what was learned and any discoveries made during the project. Finally, the bibliography should list all sources used.

2. Class presentation: Each group will present their mini ecosystem and share their findings with the rest of the class.

Note: Always remember to treat all living beings with respect. If you decide to include animals in your ecosystem, make sure they are released into their natural environment safely and ethically after the project is completed.