Biodiversity can be an exciting topic for kids to explore. After all, animals are a favourite topic among so many!
This STEM activity will give your child the chance to explore an outdoor area while learning about the importance of having diversity in the living plants and animals within an area.
Biodiversity is the variety of life within a given habitat or ecosystem.
What is Biodiversity?
A biodiversity index is a value used to describe the diversity of species in a given area. An area with a high index of 1 means there are many different species in the area and there is only one of each species. An area with a lower index means there may be different species but there are also a lot of each one.
Why is it important to have species diversity?
Having species diversity gives an area a better chance of being able to adapt to any changes in the environment. It is also important because every species has a role in the overall ecosystem. If a certain species died out in an area, there would be other species that would struggle if there wasn’t another similar species to use in place of it.
Materials
- Pen or pencil
- Paper
How to do the Biodiversity Index Activity
Step 1
Pick an area outside of your home to find your diversity index, like your backyard, front yard, or local park.
Step 2
Write down every species of tree in the area and how many of that species there are.
Step 3
Tally the number of unique species and the total number of trees. Write these numbers down.
Step 4
Repeat step 2 and 3 but for the plants in the area.
Step 5
Repeat step 2 and 3 but for the animals in the area.
Step 6
Repeat step 2 and 3 but for the insects and bugs in the area.
Explore: What are two unique features of an insect that makes them different from other animals?
(Answer: Insects have a body that is divided into three sections (head, thorax and abdomen) and have six legs!)
Step 7
Add up the number of all of the unique species of trees, plants, animals and insects. Add up the total number of items you found.
Now calculate your biodiversity index:
Try this: Find a different area near your home to do another calculation of a biodiversity index! Compare the index found for each area.
What is Taxonomy?
Taxonomy is a branch of science studies. It is all about the laws and principles of classifying living things.
