Biological Sciences Biodiversity Boost Challenge

Date 22.10.13

Dr James McEvoy & Dr Deborah Harvey

Challenge : to identify a neglected area in the school grounds, determine its biodiversity, attempt to improve area, and measure biodiversity again to quantify improvement.

Process • Identify a problem area

• Carry out a biodiversity survey

• Decide how to improve the area

• Repeat the survey

• Produce materials to encourage others to maintain the biodiversity

Targets

In their target area, students will be asked to

• count species, ensuring organisms are not counted twice

• cause no further damage to surveyed area

• identify environmental problems and quantify them

• implement practical and

sustainable methods of improving the area  

Implementation and assessment

AssessmentStudents will be assessed on

• the quality of their data collection and

record-keeping • the appropriateness of their

methods

• their inventiveness in creating new habitats

• the presentation of their

results to their assessors and to their peers.

Implementation

Target areas might include ...a trampled path,  flower bed by  a car park, a litter-strewn hedge or  a pond 

Methods of monitoring may include• random and systematic sampling• capture- mark- release• using pitfall , hanging or light traps • use of equipment such as data

loggers

Improving diversity might include • planting to encourage nectar

seeking insects throughout the year • creating insect habitats using old

buckets and stones• building bird tables and bat boxes

Why take the challenge ?

Benefit to students

• Prepares students for GCSE and A level biology –  All exam boards cover biodiversity  in  their A level syllabuses 

• Encourages an interest in practical and theoretical  ecology

•  Promotes  abilities  to design and carry

out a long term experiment

•  Develops  technical, analytical and presentation skills

•  Shows the relevance of biodiversity in everyday life 

TEACHERS ARE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH TECHNIQUES  THAT WILL BE USED  

Syllabus links

KS3 : relationship between plants, animals and the environment. Maths in the environment, IT skills

KS4 : ecology, plants adaptations to the environment , IT skills, English –oral presentation skills

A level : ecology, biodiversity, species richness and evenness

Biodiversity boost Making biodiversity relevant to tomorrow’s scientists