In some cases animals and plants will have received the ball of string more than once and therefore will hold more than one section of string. Familiarity with the Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace will now help the leader guide a discussion. Have group members observe the web of connections they have made. Discuss what the web demonstrates about connections in an ecosystem, including the human connection. Plants, insects, animals, and humans owe their existence to one another.
Plants also help filter water that is then stored in mountains, streams, lakes, and aquifers.
When one member of the web of life has been altered or is eliminated, other living things are invariably affected. See the Background on the Principles of Leave No Trace for more about the web of life. Have the group discuss the question at the end of each scenario. As you discuss each scenario, have participants drop their string to show how an impact to one part of the web affects another part. Those holding the mouse or coyote card would drop their sections of string.