Animal habitats can thrive with the right resources, but what are they?
In this experiment we’ll look at how the availability of sunlight and food or water in a habitat can affect the species living there. After all, what do animals need to survive? Food!
For a lot of animals, plants are an important food source. So, together, we’ll grow some plants under different conditions to see how it can affect the growth!
What Do Plants Need to Survive and Grow?
Plants need water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide to grow and survive.
Some plants thrive in different conditions based on their environment.
This is because plants (and animals) adapt to survive given the resources available in their specific habitat.
For example, in the rainforest, some plants on the forest floor may not get as much sunlight because the trees cover them, but they do get a lot of water.
These plants have adapted to their environment!
Another example is how cacti can grow in the desert. They get minimal water, are in the hot sun most of the day, and are able to survive in extreme heat.
Materials
- Seeds (ex: sunflower, beans, herbs)
- 3 cups/pots
- Potting soil/dirt
- Marker
- Masking tape
- Ruler
- Notebook
- Pencil
How to do the Habitat Experiment
Step 1
Fill the bottom of all 3 cups/pots with soil. Plant a seed in each cup/pot and cover with soil.
Step 2
Label the cups based on which conditions they will be using with masking tape and a marker. Writer on the first one “Sunlight & Water.”
Mark the second one with “Sunlight” and the last one with “Water.”
Step 3
Place the first 2 pots (“Sunlight & Water” and “Sunlight”) somewhere where they will get sunlight. For example, on a windowsill or on a table by a window. Place the third pot (water) somewhere without any sunlight. For example, in a windowless room or in a dark cupboard.
Step 4
Make a prediction! Which condition will be the best for the growth of your plants?
Over the next week (or longer depending on the seeds), monitor the growth of the plants.
Make sure to only water the pots that are labeled “Sunlight & Water”, and “Water”.
Use a notebook to record the size of each of your plants and any physical observations you see each day.
Was your prediction correct? Which condition was the best for the growth of your plants?
That’s right: The sunlight & water!
How Do Plants Capture the Energy from the Sun?
The sunlight is captured through the chlorophyll in the plant. Chlorophyll is what makes the plants green!
Photosynthesis is the process plants use to take energy from the sun and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into food (glucose) and oxygen!
Try This
Conduct your own experiment to test out how other factors that may be different in various habitats can affect the growth of a plant.
For example, test how temperature can affect the growth of a plant.
Be sure to use the scientific method and make a hypothesis (prediction), take observations, and record your results.
Plant two of the same plants, growing one indoors where the temperature is consistent (~20 °C) and one outdoors where the temperature is either higher or lower than that.
