What connections can students draw between household or everyday objects and the importance of fire to an ecosystem? Objective In this activity, students will: 1. Describe the characteristics of fire and evaluate the importance of fire to the plants, animals, and habitat of the Big Cypress National Preserve. 2. Use metaphors to better understand how fire interacts with an ecosystem and improve student’s own perception of fire. Background Fire is a natural part of the South Florida ecosystem and plays a crucial role in how plants and animals survive. People can have a variety of responses to fi Duration: 60 Minutes.