How Nature Works in Harmony: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Food alone makes a suitable home.”

Ask together

Could a deer live somewhere with food but no drinking water?

What’s true

An animal also needs water, oxygen, shelter and space.

If your child says… “Enough plants of one species make a community.”

Ask together

Have more plants of the same species added another species?

What’s true

However numerous, plants of one species alone form a population.

If your child says… “Plants only need soil and water.”

Ask together

Which missing resource would extra water fail to supply?

What’s true

Green plants also need light and air.

If your child says… “Anything living on a tree is a parasite.”

Ask together

If the orchid only gains support, what harm to the tree have we described?

What’s true

An organism living on another may leave it unharmed.

If your child says… “The arrow points towards what gets eaten.”

Ask together

Did the rice enter you, or did you enter the rice?

What’s true

A food arrow follows food and energy into the eater.

If your child says… “A change stays inside one food chain.”

Ask together

Are the hares and deer drawing from separate grass supplies?

What’s true

Hares and deer share grass, so fewer hares can affect the food available to deer.

If your child says… “Decomposers only tidy up.”

Ask together

Where could nutrients locked inside this leaf go after it breaks down?

What’s true

Decomposition also makes nutrients available for reuse.

If your child says… “Modern farms look after themselves.”

Ask together

Who will sow and tend the next crop?

What’s true

An annual crop field needs continuing management to maintain its planned harvest.