Nancy Luckashenak
Secondary Science Educator
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Moss Ecology: Hunt for the elusive water bear
Essential Question: How do the organisms that you discover in the moss play a role in the moss food web and/or support this micro ecosystem?
Student activities:
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Collect moss and rehydrated it overnight.
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Examine the moss by microscopy.
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Research and begin to construct a potential moss food web based on the organisms that they saw.
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Construct a potential moss food web as class.
The Ecosystem in Action
Tardigrade: AKA Water Bear
One group spotted a water bear in the liquid in which the moss was soaked in overnight!
Rotifer
Another group captured video of a rotifer eating what appears to be plant material. Near the end of the end of the video, you can see a ciliate (a single-celled organism or protozoan) swimming around.
Hidden World
Students examining the moss and water using light microscopy.
Many students were able to film or photograph a number of organisms in the the moss food web including protozoa, rotifers, nematodes, spider mites and centipedes. ​
Nematode (roundworm)
Springtail (insect)
Rehydrated moss
Students found a number of organisms including three species that are capable of anhydrobiosis; the ability of certain organisms to lose virtually all water from their bodies under certain conditions, yet remain viable when subsequently rehydrated. This ability allows certain organisms to survive the periodic drying out and rehydration periods that moss can cycle through. The water bear, rotifer and nematode can perform anhydrobiosis.
Student Presentations
Putting It All Together: Class Moss Food Web
