These activities allow students to model how environmental scientists compare diversity in different ecosystems by using ordinary playing cards as ‘species’ to generate data to calculate Simpson’s Diversity Index. This can be completed in a single lesson. Some students find the concept of species diversity quite...

Medical professionals use lung function test to diagnose and monitor lung diseases. In these activities, students investigate how these tests are carried out and determine some of the factors which might affect the results. They will work with a partner to use a peak flow meter and a spirometer.

This online ecology practical, from SAPS, uses random sampling to measure the abundance of various different species on an area of grassland.

Objectives

To give students practice at

• using random sampling to measure the abundance of various different species on an area of...