Biodiversity and Lab Concepts
Lab: Measuring Biodiversity of an Aquatic Environment
Materials (per pair):
2 double concave slides
4 Covers slips
1 book of Lens paper
2 microscopes
Access to water
Paper towels
1 dropper bottle of “Protoslo” quieting solution
1 aquarium with pond prepared earlier
2 pipets
Directions:
1. Prepare 4 wet mounts from the Top (Surface of Pond):
 Insert your pipet just below the surface of the water and draw up a small sample.
 Transfer it to one well of the slide.
 Place a coverslip over you well.
 Repeat this for the other 3 wells of your slides, using water from different areas of your pond’s
surface.
2. Examine each well carefully for all types of organisms.
 If a specimen is a fast swimmer and it is difficult to observe them, place a drop of “Protoslo” at
one edge of the coverslip and hold a paper towel at the opposite edge to draw Protoslo under
the coverslip. Do not use more than this because it will kill the organisms.
Module: Surveying Biodiversity www.caronlina.com
Modified 10.1.2013.2013 Wieland
Biodiversity and Lab Concepts
3. On the following table, sketch each type of organism that you observe.
 Count how many of each type of organism (estimate).
4. Use the Common Freshwater Microorganisms sheet to try to identify each type of organism. Not every
organism in your pond will be found on the sheet. If it isn’t on the sheet, make up a name for it based on
its structure.
5. Rinse the slides with water and blot them dry with a paper towel.
6. Repeat steps #1-5 for water from the middle levels on your pond.
7. Repeat steps #1-5 for water from the bottom levels on your pond.
Module: Surveying Biodiversity www.caronlina.com
Modified 10.1.2013.2013 Wieland
Biodiversity and Lab Concepts
Name:_____________________________________________Date: ______________________ Period: 1
2
3
4
5
6
Pond Community Data Sheet
Sketch
Description
Identification
Total #
Average =
Total #/4
Producer or
Consumer
From Top,
Middle or
Bottom Layer?
___x magnification
___x magnification
___x magnification
Module: Surveying Biodiversity www.caronlina.com
Modified 10.1.2013.2013 Wieland
Biodiversity and Lab Concepts
___x magnification
Module: Surveying Biodiversity www.caronlina.com
Modified 10.1.2013.2013 Wieland
Biodiversity and Lab Concepts
Sketch
Description
Identification
Total #
Trophic Level
Layer
___x magnification
___x magnification
___x magnification
___x magnification
___x magnification
Module: Surveying Biodiversity www.caronlina.com
Modified 10.1.2013.2013 Wieland
Biodiversity and Lab Concepts
Analysis Questions:
1. Describe any trends you observed in the number of species in each level of your pond. Which level had
the most diversity?
2. What environmental condition(s) might cause this?
3. Construct a food web showing the flow of energy among organisms observed in your pond.
Module: Surveying Biodiversity www.caronlina.com
Modified 10.1.2013.2013 Wieland