Discovering biodiversity

Year level: Upper primary/Lower secondary Learning outcome Students will develop an understanding that biodiversity is a complex, interdependent web of which we are all a part. Select, in small groups, a number of sites around the school ground (paved area, walkway, grassed play area, garden bed etc). Mark out one square metre. Examine it carefully to observe the texture of the soil. You could take a soil sample and examine it with a magnifying glass or under a microscope. List the micro-organisms and other living things you observe. Photograph or draw a diagram with labels to show your observations. Compare the different diagrams. Discuss the results as a class. Which site has the largest number and most variety of living species? Why might this be so? How has the use of the site impacted on the diversity of the sites? What land use in the wider environment might the research sites represent? What can be inferred about protecting biodiversity in the wider environment? List ways we use our environment sustainably. Select one of these and explore the positive and negative implications of the changes for plants, animals and environment using a consequence chart. Assessment task Create an action sheet for you to protect biodiversity in your school ground or community.