Ecosystems (junior)
Where can I find information about ecosystems?
Entry last updated: 13/09/21
Introduction
An ecosystem is made up of all of the living things and natural features in an area. These could be animals, plants, rocks and dirt, water, and weather.
New Zealand ecosystems
New Zealand has lots of different ecosystems, this list includes some of them.
Forests: an ecosystem with lots of trees.
Wetlands: an ecosystem with lots of water.
Drylands: an ecosystem with no water.
Marine: an ecosystem in the ocean.
Alpine: an ecosystem high in the mountains .
General websites
These websites will help you learn about ecosystems around the world. Some other words they might use are habitats or biomes.
This website has information on lots of topics. It is aimed at primary students and has videos and pictures.
- Ask a teacher or librarian if you need help to access the website.
- Enter the keyword 'ecosystems' into the search bar.
- Go to Ecosystems.
- Select Keep Reading, or explore around the page.
Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian first. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6pm Monday to Friday and they will help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.
This website has information on a lot of topics including ecosystems. This is a fantastic website for primary students as it has great information and lots of interesting pictures.
- Enter the keyword 'ecosystems' into the search bar.
- Select Habitats and ecosystems from the results.
- Explore the page and learn about some different habitats worldwide.
Tips: Search words, or keywords, are the most important words in our question. Usually it’s better to leave out small words like ‘the’, ‘a’ and ‘of’ and just choose the main ones, eg [insert topic word]. We can always change our keywords or add more if we need to.
Department of Conservation (DOC)
This government website has lots of information about New Zealand's nature and heritage and what is being done to conserve and protect it.
- At the top of the page, select Nature .
- Find the link to Habitats.
- Explore the different types of habitats.
Tips: Many web pages have links to further information or to other recommended sites. Following these links is a great way to find out more. This searching method is called “pearl growing” because you are picking up pieces of sand to make a beautiful pearl!
Books
You will find lots of books on ecosystems in your school library or public library. Here are some titles to help begin your search:
- The incredible ecosystems of Planet Earth by Rachel Ignotofsky
- Wildlife of Aotearoa by Gavin Bishop
- Why is that lake so blue? : a children's guide to New Zealand's natural world by Simon Pollard (Simon David)
- Wilderness : Earth's amazing habitats by Mia Cassany.
