By: Meghan Thoreau, OSU Extension Educator, Community Development & STEM, Pickaway County
This April students were introduced to aquatic ecosystems and learn about aquatic life and aquatic energy pyramids. The aquatic energy pyramid, also known as the aquatic food web or food pyramid, illustrates the feeding relationships and energy flow within aquatic ecosystems. Here’s a breakdown:
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Primary Producers (Phytoplankton): Microscopic plants, such as algae and cyanobacteria, that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
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Primary/First Order Consumers (Zooplankton): Small animals, like cope-pods and krill, that feed on phytoplankton.
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Secondary Consumers/Intermediate Predators (Small Fish and Invertebrates): Fish, such as minnows and bluegills, and invertebrates, like dragonflies, mayflies, and caddisflies, crayfish, or snails that prey on zooplankton and macro-invertebrates.
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Tertiary Consumers/Top Predators (Large Fish and Aquatic Mammals): Apex predators, including large fish (Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Muskie, Walleye), aquatic mammals (river otters, alligators), and birds (herons, egrets, ospreys, or eagles,) that feed on secondary consumers.

Department of Natural Resources Fish Hatchery. (n.d.). Aquatic Biomass Pyramid Display. Detroit Lakes, MN. Retrieved from https://www.behance.net/gallery/10046285/Aquatic-Biomass-Pyramid-Display.
The students learned how to take a plankton sample, use a dropper to create a slide, and work a microscope to examine for plankton and various aquatic insects in their samples. They also discussed what aquatic macro-invertebrates are and the many types of animals that fall under this category.
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Insect larvae (mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies)
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Crustaceans (crayfish, shrimp)
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Mollusks (snails, clams)

Blue Ridge Discovery Center. (2015, June 18). The Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of Wilson Creek. https://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/blueridgediscoverycenterblog/2015/6/18/the-aquatic-macroinvertebrates-of-wilson-creek
Live samples were made available for the students to identify and categorize into groups, which they learned enables scientists to infer water quality.
Students also learned the parts of a fish and use a dichotomous key to identify the fish to family level. Students studied multiple fish species (fresh and print) to handle and identify. An aquatic OSU Ohio Sea Grant Educator conducted a fish dissection for the group, with a focus on identifying internal anatomy and as time allows, discussion on fish as food.
Students finally got hands-on experience creating their own custom fishing lures, combining artistry and engineering to design effective lures that mimic the movement and appearance of baitfish, ultimately gaining a deeper understanding of the science behind fishing and aquatic ecosystems.
Lure making is the process of creating artificial fishing lures that mimic the appearance, movement, and scent of prey to attract fish. It involves various materials and techniques, such as:
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Shaping and molding plastics, woods, or metals
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Adding hooks, weights, and hardware
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Applying paints, coatings, and finishes
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Incorporating attractants like scents or sounds
Lure making allows anglers to customize their lures for specific fishing conditions, target species, and personal preferences.
Peer-reviewed by: Tory Gabriel, OSU Extension Specialist, Program Manager, Ohio Sea Grant College Program.