In the classroom, we took a field trip outside to take a look at a classic example of an urban ecosystem. You can replicate this in your own area by simply taking these questions with you when you walk out the door and go for a walk.

Look and reflect with this as a guide.

• What are the primary features of the ecosystem around you?
  • If you are in a cement jungle, take note of the greenery, drainage, and flow of traffic. What are the core functions of the surroundings?
  • If you are in a residential area, take note of the sanitation, neighbourhood association indicators, flow of traffic, and other such things. What are the core functions of each thing you see? Are things well kept? How does this compare to a nearby shopping plaza?
• What wildlife do you see?
  • How does this wildlife reflect the type of environments nearby? (I.e, if you live near a wooded area, does the local wildlife reflect this?) If it doesn’t, what surprised you?
• Take a moment to reflect past your immediate area.
  • How does the ecosystem and environment change to your north/south/east/west? Why? How does this serve the urban ecosystem?
  • Look at a map of the urban areas around you. Can you pinpoint the oldest part of the section of the city? What is it?
    • You should notice that oldest parts of the city involve trade, hospitals, fire stations, churches, and a town hall. Urban areas grow up with trade first, safety second, and fully functional arts and recreation later.

Now that you’ve slowed down to take a look around you, put it together with the previous lessons. How do the things you’ve just seen integrate into the whole?

There is a lot that goes in, and an awful lot that comes out of the ecosystem. Integrate this knowledge with your previous lessons.