Are you searching for a fun and unique ecology topic to teach in your science classroom? Look no further! In this post, I’ve compiled seven fascinating ecology topics that will spark curiosity about the natural world in your students. Additionally, this post compiles resources and science lessons related to bioindicators, symbiotic relationships, ecological succession, and more – to help you plan and find materials for teaching your next ecology lesson. Whether you’re a science teacher or a homeschool parent, these engaging subjects will inspire your students and make your lessons unforgettable.

1. Symbiotic Relationships

A symbiotic relationship is a long-term interaction between two species. Symbiotic relationships typically benefit at least one and sometimes both of the two species involved. Symbiosis is a great topic to cover when teaching students about ecology. There are so many examples: pollination, lichens, seed dispersal, parasites, and more!

Resources for teaching symbiotic relationships:

• Read my blog post about the types of symbiotic relationships
• Purchase my symbiotic relationships study set (external link)
• Pollination is a classic example of a symbiotic relationship between a plant and an animal – try out some pollination activity ideas and science lessons from my blog, or purchase my complete Pollination Unit

2. Biomimicry

This is a fun, interdisciplinary topic that relates to both ecology and engineering! Biomimicry, also called biomimetics, is when people draw inspiration from nature to design items and solve problems. Plant, fungi, and animal species evolved features and behaviors over vast periods of time to overcome challenges they face in their habitats. Engineers may mimic these features and behaviors from nature to improve their own designs.

Resources for teaching biomimicry:

• Read about biomimicry with examples in my blog
• My origami frog mini study touches on the topic of biomimicry

3. Camouflage

Camouflage is an adaptation that helps an animal disguise its appearance. Studying camouflage goes hand-in-hand with learning about animal adaptations. There are many types of camouflage. Camouflage may help an animal blend into its background or look like something inedible or toxic.

Resources for teaching camouflage:

• Read about the types of animal camouflage in my blog
• Find a free animal camouflage lesson on the PennState extension website (external link)
• Read my step-by-step directions for setting up a fun camouflage lab activity
• Get the worksheets for the lab activity when you purchase my camouflage mini study (external link)

4. Adaptations & Natural Selection

Animal diversity and adaptations teach us about the roles of competition and natural selection in shaping life in the animal kingdom.

Resources for teaching adaptations & natural selection:

• Try a bird beaks lab! Read a step-by-step guide for this activity and download worksheets
• Check out my bird adaptation task cards (external link)
• Read my blog post about the cool adaptations of desert animals and plants

5. Bioindicators & Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrates make an awesome ecology lesson because you can find them in almost any stream or pond near you! Just flip over a few rocks in shallow water, and you’re sure to start finding aquatic macroinvertebrates! This can make a great field trip activity!

Furthermore, macroinvertebrates are a type of bioindicator used by scientists. A bioindicator is a type of organism whose wellbeing relates closely to ecological conditions and is studied by scientists. Certain macroinvertebrates are very sensitive to poor water quality and other human impacts. They are a great way to teach your students about healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Resources for teaching bioindicators & aquatic macroinvertebrates:

• Read about macroinvertebrates as bioindicators in my blog post
• Read my step-by-step guide on how to catch aquatic macroinvertebrates
• Read about the different types of aquatic insects
• Utah State University offers some free lesson plans, including a few on macroinvertebrates (external link)
• Try out my complete aquatic macroinvertebrates unit (available in my shop)

6. Disturbance and Succession

Disturbance and succession are good ecology topics to tie in with studies of wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters. These are natural events in ecosystems. A disturbance is some sort of event that causes a large and rapid change in an ecosystem – like a wildfire or a volcanic eruption. Succession is what follows – the natural and gradual change in an ecosystem over time. 

Resources for teaching disturbance and succession:

• Read my blog post about disturbance and succession in forests
• Read about ecological succession from UChicago News, with a short video (external link)
• Learn about ecological succession with Khan Academy (external link)
• Purchase my Wildfire & Succession Mini Study (external link)

I think you’ll love my wildfire & succession mini study! Click to learn more.

7. Food Webs

Studying food webs is a fantastic way to learn about the flow of energy between organisms. A food web is a complex network of feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem. Energy flows from the organism being eaten to the organism doing the eating.

When you study food webs, you can also teach related topics such as predator-prey relationships, trophic cascades, and the important role of decomposers in ecosystems. Best of all, kids can be creative and learn about wildlife by mapping their own example food webs.

Resources for teaching food webs:

• Read my blog post with info about food webs and food chains and tons of examples
• Read my blog post with directions for a build-you-own food webs classroom activity
• Download a FREE food web poster
• Purchase my complete food webs unit

Study Ecology with Wild Earth Lab

I’ve saved you the trouble of putting together materials for an awesome ecology unit. Choose from my large collection of science lessons, which all include activities, worksheets, handouts, posters, and more:

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