Crinoid Bio-Medium Aquaculture (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)

Hits the Standard: HS-LS2-3: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and nutrient flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Producers such as plants and consumers such as fish are important components of many ecosystems. Energy and nutrients flow between them and other components. Providing a substrate, or physical habitat, for another component, decomposers, can increase the efficiency of nutrient recycling. Using a linked fish – plant system, students will add a decomposer element, in the form of nitrate-reducing bacteria, to the system and document how this alters nutrient flow through the system.