Niche Adaptation Lab

Description: Students evaluate the physical characteristics and resulting habits of macroinvertebrates, which are beneficial in their adaptation to a fresh water stream environment.

Number of Activities: 1

Time Frame: Two 45-minute class periods
Grade Level(s): 6th-12th

Objective(s):

• Describe a typical stream system.
• Compare the major stream habitats in a stream system.
• Distinguish physical features in illustrations of macroinvertebrates, which facilitate meeting the organism's need for food gathering, protection, and acquisition of shelter.
• Classify preserved specimens according to food-gathering technique.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. Click here to download and install.