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DecemberMoon · 01-08-2013, 09:08 PM

SPOILER!!: What is an ecosystem?

Ohhh, ecosystems. These Hogwarts teachers are pretty sneaky, trying to throw us off the scent, Eliza thought as she listened to the lesson topic being revealed. But what exactly is an ecosystem? The answer seemed easy enough, but maybe she was missing something.

She raised her hand and tried to be as detailed as she thought necessary, "An ecosystem...is the harmony and balance of everything around us. There are different ecosystems in different areas because different areas have different plants and animals and environments that work together in their own ways. So...in short, an ecosystem is the arrangement and duties of different living and non-living things - that together help each other live and thrive." She hoped that made as much sense out loud as it had in her head.

SPOILER!!: Why is understanding ecosystems important for Herbology?

Eliza doodled some pictures of flowers and fish while she listened to the descriptions of ecosystems. She had been pretty on track with her description, but it could have used some polishing. Why would it be important to understand? Well...because it's how everything has to be in order for it to work - so it's really important. Right? She wondered if this was another semi trick question and tried to think clearly.

When she felt she was ready to answer, she raised her hand. "The reason why understanding ecosystems is so important to Herbology is because plants play a major role in ecosystems. We need to be able to understand what the plants need to help them thrive and also what the plants provide for other living things in their environment. By understanding their ecosystem, we can know if a plant needs more shade, or if it provides shade for an animal and mustn't be removed...things like that." She paused and thought about the second question. "Understanding ecosystems and how they affect Herbology lets us gain the knowledge of how to keep our surroundings and environments healthy and fully functional. It lets us be able to help areas or species that need assistance to ensure their survival. So we stand to gain a lot really." A lot as in...the whole planet benefits from us understanding these things.

She sat back and thought about the large scale of what they were talking about. I hope we get to do something that helps in the real world this term!

01-08-2013, 09:08 PM	#143 (permalink)
DecemberMoon Puffskein Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 999 Hogwarts RPG Name: Eliza Neladara Dawnsel Fifth Year	Slight catch up SPOILER!!: What is an ecosystem? Quote: Originally Posted by Hera Water plants... seemed to be a popular response. Did they really think she was that obvious?... Blueberries! "Ecosystems, or biomes, play an important role in the study of herbology. Can anyone tell me what an ecosystem is?" This shouldn't be guesswork... and it was a basic enough concept for them to understand. "Now would also be a good time to get your notebooks out... and bear in mind we will be moving around." Ohhh, ecosystems. These Hogwarts teachers are pretty sneaky, trying to throw us off the scent, Eliza thought as she listened to the lesson topic being revealed. But what exactly is an ecosystem? The answer seemed easy enough, but maybe she was missing something. She raised her hand and tried to be as detailed as she thought necessary, "An ecosystem...is the harmony and balance of everything around us. There are different ecosystems in different areas because different areas have different plants and animals and environments that work together in their own ways. So...in short, an ecosystem is the arrangement and duties of different living and non-living things - that together help each other live and thrive." She hoped that made as much sense out loud as it had in her head. SPOILER!!: Why is understanding ecosystems important for Herbology? Quote: Originally Posted by Hera All in all.... they had done fairly well. It was a simple enough concept to grasp in terms of basics, so she didn't need to worry about that. "Good, good... so you all have a sound understanding of what an ecosystem is." But just to reiterate... because reiterating cemented knowledge to memory... "Ecosystems, being systems, are formed through the interactions between organisms and their physical environment, both living and inanimate." "Now many of you touched on points and aspects which make up ecosystems... characterises them and shapes them into what they are. Things to consider, when studying ecosystems," which is what they were doing, so notes on the following would be handy for them later, "... include solar energy, moisture, minerals, nutrients, soil, organisms and disturbances." Now came the crucial part, which would significantly influence their success in this course of study... "Why... would understanding ecosystems be important to the study of herbology? What can we gain from this?" Eliza doodled some pictures of flowers and fish while she listened to the descriptions of ecosystems. She had been pretty on track with her description, but it could have used some polishing. Why would it be important to understand? Well...because it's how everything has to be in order for it to work - so it's really important. Right? She wondered if this was another semi trick question and tried to think clearly. When she felt she was ready to answer, she raised her hand. "The reason why understanding ecosystems is so important to Herbology is because plants play a major role in ecosystems. We need to be able to understand what the plants need to help them thrive and also what the plants provide for other living things in their environment. By understanding their ecosystem, we can know if a plant needs more shade, or if it provides shade for an animal and mustn't be removed...things like that." She paused and thought about the second question. "Understanding ecosystems and how they affect Herbology lets us gain the knowledge of how to keep our surroundings and environments healthy and fully functional. It lets us be able to help areas or species that need assistance to ensure their survival. So we stand to gain a lot really." A lot as in...the whole planet benefits from us understanding these things. She sat back and thought about the large scale of what they were talking about. I hope we get to do something that helps in the real world this term!