How to Use This Simulation

Step 1: Choose a scenario (Yellowstone, Australia, or Guam) to see different ecosystems.

Step 2: Click action buttons to add or remove species and watch the cascade effects.

Step 3: Observe how changes ripple through ALL trophic levels - up AND down!

Key concept: Removing a predator causes prey to increase, which causes plants to decrease!

🔬 Predict-Observe-Explain Protocol

  1. PREDICT: Before you start, predict: Which species removal or addition causes the biggest cascade effect through the entire food web?
  2. OBSERVE: Run the simulation by adding or removing species and record what happens at ALL trophic levels.
  3. EXPLAIN: Compare your prediction to the results. Explain the cascade effects—how do changes ripple through the entire food web?

Choose an Ecosystem Scenario

Yellowstone Food Web

Modify Ecosystem

Cascade Effect

Make a change to see the cascade effect...

Ecosystem Health

Key Insight

Every species in an ecosystem is connected. When you change one population, the effects cascade through the entire food web. This is why invasive species are so dangerous - they disrupt these delicate connections!

Check Your Understanding

When wolves were removed from Yellowstone, what happened to the willow trees near rivers?