A rotting log is also a great place to explore food webs and the species that make up a food web, which includes producers, consumers, and decomposers. Each part of the food web plays a crucial ecosystem role.
View the slide show to see different types of species found in a rotting log.
In your classroom, work in small groups to share your knowledge of decomposing logs and the communities of species that live in a decomposing log. Your teacher will give each group a worksheet, "Building Background Knowledge," to guide your discussions. Save your written answers to discuss again at the end of the outdoor lab.