Ecosystems Lesson 4
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Activity adapted, with permission, from the “Biodiversity Performs” activity
in Biodiversity Basics, ©1999, 2003, a resource of the World Wildlife Fund’s
Windows on the Wild biodiversity education program. For more information on
WOW, please visit www.biodiversity911.org.
Lesson Overview
People everywhere often take for granted the countless ways
that ecosystems help make human life possible and more livable.
Much of the work done by ecosystems is difficult to watch or
see, so people often take these “secret services” for granted. Just
remember, while you are eating, sleeping, working, driving, or
watching TV, forests are helping to clean the air, far-away oceans
are regulating the climate, and wetlands are helping to purify water,
minimize storm damage, and perform flood control. In this activity,
students participate in a charades-like activity to learn about some
of the secret services provided by ecosystems and the species within
them. Later, students apply understanding of the terms ecological,
economic, and social to categorize ecosystem benefits. Finally,
students review the lesson concepts in a bingo game.
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per student
• 16 tokens for bingo (i.e., beans or
poker chips)
• Ecosystem Benefits (student activity)
• Ecosystem Benefits B-I-N-G-O
(student activity)
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Materials
per class
• Michigan Ecosystems: What Have
They Done for You Lately? poster
• One set of Ecosystem Services
Charade Cards cut apart
• Michigan Ecosystem B-I-N-G-O
Clue Sheet (teacher resource)
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Duration
60 minutes – Classroom setting
Michigan
Ecosystems: What
Have They Done
for YOU Lately?
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Subject/Target Grade
Science and Social Studies/
Upper Elementary & Middle School (4-6)
Michigan Grade Level Content
Expectations
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Science:
• Demonstrate scientific concepts
through various illustrations,
performance models, exhibits, and
activities. S.RS.04.11
• List examples of populations,
communities, and ecosystems
including the Great Lakes region.
L.EC.06.11
Social Studies:
• Identify ecosystems and explain why
some are more attractive for humans
to use than are others. 6 – G3.2.2
Students answer this essential question: How do people
benefit from Michigan’s ecosystems?
Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Describe various ways that people benefit from
Michigan ecosystems.
2. Identify benefits provided by Michigan ecosystems as
having social, ecological, and economic importance.
Advance Preparation
Make a photocopy of the Charade Cards, cut them apart,
and put them in a container so students can draw them.
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Michigan Ecosystems: What Have They Done for YOU Lately?
Ecosystems and the services they provide are
perhaps Earth’s most valuable resources. We depend
on ecosystems, and the species within them, in more
ways than most people would think. Ecosystems
provide many services and products that support life
on Earth and are essential to the quality of human
life and our economies.
Seed Dispersal. Plants make seeds in order to
reproduce. In order to grow, the seeds need sunlight,
water, nutrients, and space, usually found away from
the parent plant. Plants depend on wind, water, and
other animals to help disperse their seeds. Many
kinds of plants depend on animals for their dispersal.
Some seeds are packaged in tasty fruits, which are
eaten by animals (especially birds) and are often
transported to a new location while passing through
the animal’s digestive tract. Other seeds are stored
or buried by animals such as blue jays, squirrels, and
chipmunks. Seeds that are forgotten by the animal
have a chance to grow. Other seeds stick to animal
fur and travel with the animal until they fall off in a
new location. Still other plants depend on the wind
or water for seed dispersal.
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The natural services performed by ecosystems often
go unnoticed, but in reality, they are so important,
life on Earth could not exist without them. When
asked to put a price tag on the value of services
provided by ecosystems, scientists came up with an
estimate of $33 trillion dollars per year!
major crops produced in Michigan include soybeans,
dry beans, blueberries, apples, and tart cherries, all
of which depend on wild pollinators.
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Background Information
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Lesson 4 ie
Below is a summary of some of the services
provided by ecosystems:
The Decomposition of Wastes and Recycling of
Nutrients. Dead things (and the waste of living
things) are recycled into the soil through the work
of animal scavengers and microscopic decomposers.
Some examples of scavengers include centipedes,
pillbugs, catfish, and vultures. Examples of
decomposers include fungi, bacteria, and other
microorganisms.
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Water Purification. Plants and microorganisms in
the soil filter out sediments and toxins from water,
especially in wetlands. Some organisms, such as
aquatic snails and clams, pump water through their
bodies to filter out food, while cleaning the water.
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Air Purification. In a delicate balance of nature,
the Earth’s plants, animals, and microorganisms
complement each other’s activities in the exchange
of gases needed for their survival. During
photosynthesis, plants purify the air by taking in
carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Animals then
use oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide.
This process also helps to remove other pollutants
from the air. For example, in cities, trees can help
to improve the air by removing some of the toxins
from car exhaust.
Pollination. One third of all human food comes
from plants that are pollinated by animals such as
insects or hummingbirds. Pollination is essential
to both wild plants and crops grown on farms.
Agriculture is Michigan’s second most important
industry, contributing approximately $71 billion
(2011) to our economy every year. Some of the
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Lesson 4
Natural Pest and Disease Control. An estimated
99% of all agricultural pests are controlled by
natural enemies, such as birds, spiders, wasps,
ladybugs, fungi, viral diseases, and flies. These
natural predators and diseases save farmers billions
of dollars annually, reducing the need for chemical
pesticides. Pests that carry diseases that affect
humans, wildlife, and wild plants are also controlled
by their natural enemies. For example, ticks that
cause Lyme disease are controlled by predators,
such as birds.
Erosion and Flood Control. Enough rain falls onto
the Earth’s land surface every year to cover the land
to an average depth of 1 meter. Much of this water is
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support
Michigan Ecosystems: What Have They Done for YOU Lately?
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Production of Ecosystem Goods. Ecosystem
products such as wild plants, fish, and game are used
for food; plants are used for medicine; agricultural
products and other ecosystem resources such as fuel,
timber, and fiber have a variety of uses.
Some examples of products that come from
Michigan forests:
• The “leather” (really made of paper) tag on
Levi’s (Neenah Paper, Munising)
• Paper for the National Geographic magazine
(Verso Paper, Quinnesec)
• Basketball court floors (Homer Flooring,
Dollar Bay)
• Guitars (Rossi American Hardwoods, South
Range)
• Bowling Pins and Alleys (Brunswick,
Muskegon)
• Telephone poles (Hydrolake, McBain)
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Climate Control. Have you ever visited a forest
on a hot day and been surprised to find it was much
cooler than in town or especially a parking lot? Forests help control climate by providing shade
that is beneficial to all kinds of animals, including
people. In the summer, a single tree may transpire
as much as several hundred gallons of water into
the air every day, providing a cooling effect similar
to six window-unit air conditioners. Trees and other
plants also help to counteract global warming by
taking in and storing carbon dioxide, the gas that is
most responsible for global warming.
participate in activities such as hiking, cross-country
skiing, camping, wildlife watching, photography,
boating, fishing, and hunting. Forest-based tourism
brings in around $3 billion to Michigan every year.
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absorbed by plant roots, which hold the soil in place,
reducing the likelihood of erosion and mudslides.
In places where forests and native vegetation have
been cleared, the land is unable to hold the water,
increasing the likelihood of erosion, floods, and
even drought.
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Procedure
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Nature Appreciation and Recreation. People
value natural ecosystems for their beauty, which
offers opportunity for quiet reflection, solitude, and
inspiration. People also value natural ecosystems
as places to visit for recreation and vacations.
For example, millions of people visit Michigan’s
State Parks and other public areas every year to
For more ideas on Michigan forest products, check
out the Michigan Forest Forever web site: http://
www.dsisd.k12.mi.us/mff/Products/ProductsMI.htm.
How are these services important to our
economy? To our health? [In some cases,
where ecosystems are degraded, there are
economic impacts. For example, removing
plants can lead to erosion or flood control
problems that can be expensive to fix and/or
maintain. Services like air and water purification
are important to our health.]
What are some products people use that come
from ecosystems? [For example, food and wood.]
How are these products important to our
economy? To our health? [For example, many
jobs related to forestry, furniture-making,
1. Introduction.
Why are ecosystems important to people? Use
the Michigan Ecosystems: What Have They Done
for You Lately? poster to guide a discussion of
the benefits provided by Michigan ecosystems.
Discuss the following related questions:
What are some services that ecosystems
provide? [For example, photosynthesis, water
purification, and flood control.] Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support
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Lesson 4 Michigan Ecosystems: What Have They Done for YOU Lately?
farming, hunting, etc. depend on products
provided by ecosystems. Products that are
sources of medicine and/or food are important to
our health.]
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How do people in the local community benefit
from ecosystems? [Answers will vary—think
of what activities in the local community may
depend on ecosystems. Some examples might
include tourism, fishing, or gardening.]
2. Play Ecosystem Services Charades Game.
How can the benefits be classified or grouped?
Provide each student with a copy of the
Ecosystem Benefits student activity sheet and
explain that each of the statements represents
a benefit provided by ecosystems. Introduce
the terms economic, social, and ecological to
describe the types of benefits from Michigan’s
ecosystems.
• Economic—relating to the movement and
consumption of goods and services.
• Social—having to do with the health and
well-being of society.
• Ecological—concerned with the
relationships between living things and their
environment.
Give one Ecosystem Services Charade Cards to
each group and allow 5-7 minutes for them to
read their card and plan their skit. Emphasize
that the performers should act out the service
rather than the exact words on the card. Groups
should not use any words in their performance,
though the teacher may choose to permit the use
of sound effects. One group at a time presents
their skit. It may be helpful to have each group
begin by stating whether they will be depicting
a service or product. Encourage the audience
to allow each group to finish their performance
before guessing. Some students will benefit from
a list of possible answers that the teacher has
written on the board. Without prior knowledge
of the services, students will be hard-pressed
to think of some of the more subtle ones, even
while others are acting them out.
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Divide the class into groups of three or four
students. Tell the students that each group will
receive a card describing a way that people
benefit from natural ecosystems. Each group will
act out their benefit, similar to playing charades.
Therefore, they must keep their benefit a secret
from the rest of the class.
How do we benefit from Michigan’s different
ecosystems? Lead a class discussion,
encouraging students to share their ideas of how
people benefit from Michigan’s forests, coastal
dunes, wetlands, rivers/streams, inland lakes,
agricultural land, urban areas, and Great Lakes.
List students’ ideas on the board or overhead.
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3. Benefits to people from Michigan ecosystems.
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Option: This activity can be extended
by asking students to generate a list
of additional services or products that
ecosystems provide. Students can then play
charades again using their own examples.
After each benefit has been performed, make
sure everyone has an understanding of that
service or product. As needed, refer to the
Michigan Ecosystems: What Have They Done
for You Lately? poster.
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Lesson 4
Ask students to read each of the statements,
and decide if the term economic, social, or
ecological best describes that benefit. This
activity is meant to stimulate discussion, as there
is not necessarily one “right answer.” Suggested
answers are as follows: economic (1, 5, 6, 9);
social (2, 4, 8, 10, 11); and ecological (3, 7, 12).
Answers for 13-15 will vary. Tell students they
may think some services can be described by
more than one term and they should list both in
those instances.
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support
Michigan Ecosystems: What Have They Done for YOU Lately?
whether that benefit would be important for
economic, social, and/or ecological reasons.
Students should put a marker over that benefit
on their Bingo card.
Repeat the same procedure with other clues.
To make the process more challenging, do not
read the clues in the same order in which you
read the benefits above. Students should yell
out “BINGO” when they have a row (diagonal,
horizontal, or vertical) of four markers.
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Give each student a copy of the Ecosystem
Benefits B-I-N-G-O student activity page. Tell
students to write the following ecosystem benefits
randomly in the squares on their blank Bingo card
(it is important that students write the benefits
randomly or all students will achieve a Bingo
at the same time). List the following 18 benefits
on the board or overhead for student to copy
down: decomposition; pollination; pest & disease
control; water purification; erosion & flood
control; air purification; shipping; forest products;
tourism; agriculture; fish; wild edible plants;
recreation; seed dispersal; wild game; nature
appreciation; wildlife habitat; and medicine.
4. Tying it all together.
To reinforce the concepts developed in this lesson,
have each group focus on one of Michigan’s
ecosystems (Great Lakes, forests, rivers, coastal
dunes, wetlands, or farmland), and then list
examples of the various ways people benefit
from that ecosystem. Have students share ideas.
Discuss the economic, ecological, and social
importance of different Michigan ecosystems.
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Provide each student with at least 16 beans or
other material to use as Bingo markers. Explain
that you will read a clue and students are to
determine which benefit the clue describes. Read
aloud one clue from the Michigan Ecosystem
B-I-N-G-O Clue Sheet teacher resource; discuss
the correct answer with students and ask
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Assessment Options
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1. Student understanding of ecosystem services and
products is demonstrated during the charades
game. Use the following rubric to evaluate
student success.
• Unsatisfactory—The student does not
participate with the group in the presentation.
The student is unable to summarize services/
products or make connections to the real
world.
• Satisfactory—The student participates in the
presentation. The student is able to summarize
most of the services/products presented and
can make connections to the community.
• Excellent—The student is centrally involved
in the group presentation. The student
summarizes all the services/products presented
and clearly explains how the services/products
occur in the local community.
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support
2. Evaluate student or group work completed as a
part of step 4. Students should identify at least
one example of ecological, social, and economic
benefits provided by their assigned ecosystem. As an option, individuals or groups could
be asked to prepare a concept map, showing
benefits provided by all seven of Michigan
ecosystems discussed in this unit: Great Lakes,
forests, coastal dunes, wetlands, agriculture,
rivers, and urban areas.
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Lesson 4 Michigan Ecosystems: What Have They Done for YOU Lately?
Extensions
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“Secret Services” Lesson Extension (provided on
the MEECS Ecosystems & Biodiversity CD). In
this lesson, students perform a series of hands-on
simulations that demonstrate ecosystem services.
Reprinted with permission of World Wildlife Fund.
References
Daily, G., et al. (Spring 1997) “Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural
Ecosystems.” Issues in Ecology. (Ecological Society of America). Retrieved July 18, 2005, from
http://www.esa.org/science/Issues?TextIssues/issue2.php.
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World Wildlife Fund. (1999). “Biodiversity Performs! Lesson.” Windows on the Wild: Biodiversity Basics.
Tustin, CA: Acorn Naturalists.
Additional Resources
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Online
Communicating Ecosystem Services, Ecological Society of America & Union of Concern Scientists.
Site contains in-depth information about “ecosystem services.” Retrieved July 18, 2005, from
http://www.esa.org/ecoservices/.
L.A.P.’s Program, from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
L.A.P.’s ™ stands for: L-Learn from our past; A-Appreciate the Present; and P-Preserve our outdoor
heritage. This social studies-based curriculum support project is designed to help fourth-grade students
explore Michigan’s State Parks. Retrieved July 18, 2005, from
http://www.midnr.com/edu/flash/DNRIntroPages/DNRlaps.html.
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Michigan Forest Forever Project
This project, a cooperative effort of the Michigan Forest Resource Alliance (MFRA) and Michigan State
University Extension, focuses on Michigan’s forest resources and is designed primarily for use with middle
school students, although it can be adapted for use with younger or older students. The project consists of
an informational, interactive CD-ROM, a 22-minute video about Michigan’s forest industry, and an Online
Forests Forever Teachers Guide (http://www.dsisd.k12.mi.us/mff/). Retrieved July 18, 2005, from
http://www.mfra.org.
Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan
A database of foods, drugs, dyes and fibers of Native American peoples, derived from plants.
Retrieved July 18, 2005, from http://herb.umd.umich.edu.
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Project FLOW (Fisheries Learning on the Web), Michigan Sea Grant
This is a collection of 15 free lessons based on Great Lakes aquatic science with activities about fisheries
and stewardship. The materials are divided into the following three modules: (1) Food Web, (2) Water, and
(3) Fish. Several of the lessons focus on the importance of ecosystems to people and wildlife.
Retrieved July 18, 2005, from http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/flow/index.html.
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TechAlive Ecosystems Modules, Michigan Technological University
Developed as a support to the MEECS Ecosystems & Biodiversity Unit, these interactive, online learning
modules provide virtual tour to some of Michigan’s ecosystems (Forests, wetlands, rivers/streams, coastal
dunes, and Great Lakes) some of the benefits they provide, and issues surrounding them.
Retrieved July 18, 2005, from http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec_index.htm.
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In Print
Caduto, M. and J. Bruchac. (1997). Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental
Activities for Children. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing. This activity guide combines Native American
storytelling with science. Several sections address concepts related to ecosystems services (e.g.,
photosynthesis, seed dispersal, and decomposition).
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Dann, S., and B. Schroeder. (2003). Life of the Lakes: A Guide to the Great Lakes Fishery. East Lansing,
MI: Michigan State University, Michigan Sea Grant Extension. The content focuses on economic,
environmental, and historical issues related to the Great Lakes fisheries. This book can be ordered from the
Michigan Sea Grant Online Bookstore for $12.50: http://www.miseagrant.com (retrieved May 25, 2011).
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Environmental Concern and the Watercourse. (1995). Project W.O.W.: The Wonders of Wetlands.
St. Michaels, MD: Environmental Concern. A K-12 environmental education curriculum activity guide
focusing on wetlands. Several of the lessons focus on the importance of wetlands to people and wildlife.
Retrieved July 18, 2005, from http://www.wetland.org.
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Ecosystem Services Charade Cards, Page 1 of 3
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Ecosystem Services Charade Cards
Instructions: Teacher should copy on regular paper and cut apart one set of these cards.
Fish
Have you ever tasted the sweetness of a wild
raspberry? In Michigan and throughout the
world, many wild plants are collected for use as
food by people. Some examples of wild edible
foods collected in Michigan include: berries
(thimbleberries, blueberries, strawberries,
and raspberries), wild rice,
asparagus, and certain
species of mushrooms.
People around the world and in Michigan catch
fish for food. Sometimes people just fish for fun
and then let the fish go instead of eating them.
With so many lakes, rivers, and streams,
fishing in Michigan is a popular activity.
Some of the fish that people enjoy catching
include perch, walleye, bass, pike, and trout.
Commercial fishermen use large nets to catch
fish like whitefish, chubs, perch, and lake trout
in the Great Lakes.
product
product
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product
Wild Game Animals
Pollination
People all around the world hunt animals for
their meat. In Michigan, around 1 million people
participate in hunting activities every year.
An additional 16,000 people have licenses to
harvest animals for fur. Popular game animals
include deer, waterfowl
(ducks and geese),
bear, wild turkey, elk,
pheasant, quail, grouse,
woodcock, and fox.
When birds, bats, bees, and other insects visit
flowers to sip their nectar, the small animals
get dusted with pollen. As they visit other
flowers, they spread around pollen, which is
needed by other plants of the same kind to
make seeds. Many crops
(such as apples and cherries)
in Michigan depend on
insect pollinators.
product
service
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100 Wild plants sometimes have medicinal uses.
For example, the active ingredient in aspirin
originally came from a chemical found in a
willow plant.
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product
Medicine
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Wood Products
(lumber, firewood, paper, etc.)
People cut down trees to use the wood for
things like building houses and furniture,
making paper, and firewood.
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Wild Edible Plants
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Pest and Disease Control Services
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Ecosystem Services Charade Cards, Page 2 of 3
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Seed Dispersal
Many plants depend on animals for their dispersal.
Some seeds are packaged in tasty fruits, which
are eaten by animals and are passed through their
digestive tracts and often transported to a new
location. Other seeds are stored away or buried by
animals such as squirrels. Seeds that are forgotten
by the animal have a chance to grow. Other seeds
stick to animal fur and travel with the animal until
they fall off in a new location. Seed dispersal
is important to the
survival of many
plant species.
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Some species are considered pests when they
cause problems for people by eating farmers’
crops or spreading disease to people. These
pests are often controlled by their natural
enemies, such as birds, spiders, wasps,
ladybugs, and flies.
Examples of pests that
can spread diseases
include ticks (which can
spread Lyme disease) and
mosquitoes (which can spread
malaria or West Nile Virus).
Nature Appreciation and Recreation
People value natural ecosystems as places to
visit for recreation and vacations. For example,
millions of people visit state and national
parks every year to participate in activities
such as hiking, camping, wildlife watching and
photography, boating, fishing, and hunting.
Many people gain artistic,
spiritual, and
aesthetic
inspiration
from being
in natural
surroundings.
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The Decomposition and
Recycling of Nutrients
service
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service
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Dead things (and the wastes of living things)
are recycled back into the soil through the work
of scavengers and microscopic decomposers.
Some examples of scavengers include
centipedes, pillbugs, catfish, and vultures.
Examples of decomposers include fungus,
bacteria, and other microorganisms.
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support Lesson 4
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Air Purification
Water Purification
Plants, especially in wetlands, work together
with microorganisms in the soil to filter out
sediments and toxins from water. Some
organisms, such as aquatic snails and clams,
pump water through their bodies to filter out
food, and end up helping to clean the water at
the same time.
service
service
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In a delicate balance of nature, the Earth’s plants,
animals, and microorganisms work together
to exchange gases needed for their survival.
During photosynthesis, plants purify our air
by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing
oxygen. Animals then use
oxygen from the air,
and release
carbon dioxide.
Erosion and Flood Control
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Climate Control
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Ecosystem Services Charade Cards, Page 3 of 3
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Enough rain falls onto the Earth’s land surface
every year to cover the land to an average
depth of 1 meter. Much of this water is
soaked up by plants, which hold the soil in
place, reducing the likelihood of erosion and
mudslides. In places where forests
have been cleared, the land is
unable to hold the water,
increasing likelihood of floods
and even drought.
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Have you ever visited a forest on a hot day, and
been surprised to find it was much cooler than in
town or even the parking lot? Forests help control
local climate by providing shade that is beneficial
to all kinds of animals, including people. Trees
and other plants also help to counteract global
warming by taking in and storing
carbon dioxide, the gas that
is most responsible for
global warming. In winter,
vegetation cover is
important protection
for some animals, as it
helps to insulate some
microhabitats from the cold.
service
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service
102 Ecosystems Lesson 4
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ACTIVI
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Ecosystem Benefits
Instructions: Read each of the statements describing a benefit provided by ecosystems and then
decide if the term economic, social, or ecological best describes that benefit.
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Economic—relating to the movement and consumption of goods and services.
Would someone be willing to pay money for this product or service?
Social—having to do with the well-being of society.
Does this product or service make people’s lives happier or healthier?
Ecological—concerned with the relationships between living things and their environment.
Does this product or service help plants and animals?
1. ______________ Wood from Michigan forests is used to manufacture products like paper and furniture,
adding millions of dollars to Michigan’s economy.
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2. ______________ People enjoy activities like hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, and hunting in Michigan’s
natural areas.
3. ______________ Plants make the oxygen people and animals need to breathe.
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4. ______________ People enjoy being able to observe nature, like watching wildlife or a sunset.
5. ______________ Crops and livestock grown by Michigan farmers are sold to people all over Michigan,
the United States, and the world.
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6. ______________ Ships transport raw materials and manufactured goods between ports in the Great Lakes
region and other parts of the world.
7. ______________ Natural areas provide shelter and food for many wildlife species in Michigan.
8. ______________ People use wood from trees for many uses, including to build homes and furniture—
and sometimes to heat their homes in the winter.
9. ______________ Millions of people travel around Michigan on vacations, enjoying Michigan’s natural places.
These people spend billions of dollars every year and create jobs for many people.
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10. ______________ People depend on Michigan’s clean and abundant water supplies for drinking water.
11. ______________ Medicines that help people recover from sickness, are sometimes made from plants,
micro-organisms, or even animals.
12. ______________ Many plants depend on animals like birds and squirrels to move seeds away from the
parent plant.
Now, can you think of one more example for each of the following?
13. Economic:________________________________________________________________________________
14. Social:___________________________________________________________________________________
15. Ecological:________________________________________________________________________________
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MICHIGAN ECOSYSTEM B-I-N-G-O
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Michigan Ecosystem B-I-N-G-O Clue Sheet
Suggested Clues
Answer
Decomposition
2. Michigan farmers depend on honey bees and other insects to provide this
valuable service.
Pollination
3. Animals like bats, snakes, and songbirds perform the valuable service of
eating pests which may eat farmers’ crops or even spread diseases.
Pest & Disease Control
4. Plants and microorganisms work together to provide this valuable service,
which helps to keep our water clean, especially in wetland areas.
Water Purification
5. Plants perform this valuable service, keeping soil from being blown or
washed away.
Erosion and Flood
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1. Because of this wastes and dead materials are eventually recycled back
into the environment.
Air Purification
7. This activity, which depends on water, enables people to move, materials
like coal, grain, and iron ore within the Great Lakes and to ports throughout
the world.
Shipping
8. Some examples of these include paper, furniture, firewood, and lumber.
Forest Products
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6. This valuable service makes our air more breathable, and is provided by all
kinds of plants, even by houseplants!
Tourism
10.Michigan’s second largest industry. Michigan grows more beans, tart
cherries, and blue berries than any other state.
Agriculture
11.Caught both recreationally and commercially, many people enjoy eating
perch, bass, and trout.
Fish
12.Wild berries (blue berries, raspberries, and strawberries), wild rice, and wild
asparagus are examples of this.
Wild Edible Plants
13.Some examples of this might include hiking, swimming, or boating.
Recreation
14.Animals like squirrel and birds perform this service by moving seeds
around.
Seed Dispersal
15.Some examples of this include deer, wild turkey, ducks, and grouse.
Wild Game Animals
16.An example would be enjoying a sunset or a sunrise.
Nature Appreciation
17.A place where an animal finds everything it needs to live.
Wildlife Habitat
18.Something that might help you recover from an illness.
Medicine
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9. This is Michigan’s third largest industry. People enjoy visiting special places
in Michigan including beaches, Mackinac Island, and its many state parks.
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support Lesson 4
Ecosystems
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106 Ecosystems Lesson 4
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support