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Soil and Sustainability (Grades 9-12)

Students observe soil ecosystems to investigate how human impact affects the biodiversity of soils using the Simpson's Index of Diversity. Then, students conduct an investigation using field corn to determine how the introduction of nitrogen fertilizers impact soil microorganisms and biodiversity.

Grades
9 – 12
Estimated Time
Two investigations using 2-3 class periods each plus observation time
Updated
September 22, 2023
plowed field
Image: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay

Background

Lesson Activities

Credits

Author

Nourish the Future

Acknowledgements

This lesson is from the Soil and Sustainability unit created by Nourish the Future.

Standards

National Content Area Standards

  • Social Studies – Geography
    • APHG Topic 5.11: Challenges of Contemporary Agriculture
      • IMP-5.B.1: Agricultural innovations such as biotechnology, genetically modified organisms, and aquaculture have been accompanied by debates over sustainability, soil and water usage, reductions in biodiversity, and extensive fertilizer and pesticide use.
  • Science
    • HS-LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
      • HS-LS2-2: Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.
      • HS-LS2-6: Evaluate claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
    • APES Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
      • ERT-4.C Soil Composition and Properties: Describe similarities and differences between properties of different soil types.