Biological Sciences Biodiversity Boost Challenge Date 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 Assessment Students 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 KS 3 : relationship between plants, animals and the environment. Maths in the environment, IT skills KS 4 : 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 tomorrows scientists