According to the American Museum of Natural History, biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life.
Digging in the ground is a great way to learn about biodiversity and the diverse plants and animals that make up our planet. When you dig in the ground, you can discover a wide range of living things that are hidden below the surface.
When you dig into the Earth you might grab up an earthworm, a pill bug (otherwise known as a roly poly), or even an ant. What exactly do they do? What is their purpose?
Every living thing revolves around cycles. There’s a water cycle, food cycle, biogeochemical cycles and even biological cycles.
When you are digging in earth and pulling up plants you are changing the biogeochemical cycle. It affects the carbon cycle because plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. We humans do the opposite. We breathe in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. That plant has a purpose, as do we. This is called a symbiotic relationship.
Earthworms create holes in the ground. Without them, you would need to get shoes with spikes to create holes to aerate the ground. These holes in the ground makes it easier for plant roots to grow. The ant also aerates the ground. The roly poly helps break down dead plant matter. All three help to create fertilizer.
One way to learn about the biodiversity in your own backyard is to start a garden. When you plant a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs, you can create a habitat for a wide range of insects, birds, and other animals. Gardening also allows you to observe the different stages of plant growth and learn about the different parts of a plant, such as roots, stems, and leaves.
This is a way to incorporate math. You can use a ruler to measure the plant’s growth. If you do square foot gardening, you divide it into square foot segments.
Another way to explore biodiversity is to visit a natural area, such as a park or a nature reserve. When you walk through a natural area, you can observe the different types of plants and animals that live there, as well as the ways in which they interact with each other. You can also look for signs of wildlife, such as tracks, feathers, or scat, and try to identify the animals that left them behind.
By digging in the ground and exploring the natural world, you can learn about the amazing diversity of life on our planet and the ways in which different species depend on each other to survive.