Ecology: Biodiversity PBL
Directions
1. Using string, create a 2 ft by 2 ft square plot
2. Place string down randomly on plot of land you visit this summer and take a picture if you can
(on vacation, at the beach, in the park, your backyard, etc.)
3. Record biodiversity inside of your plot using a chart of choice. Include species types
(scientific name preferred but common name acceptable if scientific name unavailable) and
number of each species
4. Compile, organize, and analyze data from plot as the data reflects biodiversity
5. Choose one organism from sample and create a FOOD WEB of the species
6. Explain what would happen to the amount of energy available in the food web if your chosen
species drastically decreases or increases in number.
7. How does the water cycle contribute to the amount of energy available in the sample plot?
8. Solve this problem: The area you visited lacks human impact regulations. How will you
educate the public on the impacts of human activities on the biodiversity and prevent negative
human activity from occurring in the area?
9. Compile your project into a presentation using weebly.com If you do not have access to
media, you may make a model and poster or any other form of non media presentation.
10. Use this grading rubric below to grade your entire project. You will be comparing your
marks with mine later- trust me this will be useful! You may either print the rubric off or save it
as a document on your own device.
Ecology Biodiversity Grading Rubric
Topic
Plot 1 picture or drawing
Plot 1 species diversity chart
Plot 1 chart analysis (see reference below this
table)
Plot 1 Food Web and Analysis (refer to
directions)
Human Impact on Environment 1 (see reference
below)
Plot 1 Water Cycle involvement
Plot 1 Carbon Cycle involvement
Biodiversity Importance Explanation
Media Presentation
SURPRISE ME  (see reference below this table)
Total
Points Available
5
5
10
Points Earned
10
5
5
5
5
5
5
60
For chart analysis, please include:
1. % of plants, animals, fungi, and other OR % of insects, terrestrial animals, aquatic animals,
plants, other. Provide a sentence explanation as to why you feel the distribution is the way it is.
2. Analyze the overall value of biodiversity in each of the above categories and provide an
explanation as to why some categories may be more, less, or equal in biodiversity to others.
Human Impact:
May include: farming, pollution, commercial use, rehabilitation, sporting, invasive species, etc and the
implication of our uses. Are we affecting the environment positively, negatively, or both? Is our damage
reversible or irreversible? What can YOU do to help raise awareness?
Surprise Me:
Provide an unexpected aspect of your project. This factor should utilize your talents, whether that be
making an extra really neat video, data collection, website design, research lab, or something you bring
in to me.  This is ALL YOU!!!