...or download the episode on Amazon Instant Video.Planet Earth - Caves
This is a worksheet set for students to complete as they watch the Planet Earth Caves video. This is a good segment to show an unusual ecosystem that is not directly sunlight-based in its energy flow. This is a good video to show to illustrate the idea of vestigial organs, as many of the animals that only reside in caves, called troglobites, have evolved without eyes. For environmental science or earth science teachers, this video also has a lot of great examples of mechanical and chemical erosion -- the forces behind the actual formation of the caves.
Essential concepts: Ecosystems, abiotic factors, biotic factors, adaptations, limiting factors, food chains, mechanical erosion, chemical erosion, troglobites, vestigial structures, extremophiles, halocline.
Answer Key: Available for purchase at the environmental science instructor resources subscription page.
