Plant Ecology

Part of the Biodiversity Counts Curriculum Collection.

Go beyond the basics of field study—use math and science skills and dig in the dirt!

Students learn how to count plants as part of a study of local biodiversity and for calculating biodiversity indexes. 

Student Activity

Calculating a Biodiversity Index
A Biodiversity Index gives scientists a concrete, uniform way to talk about and compare the biodiversity of different areas. Teach students how to calculate this number themselves.

Calculating a Biodiversity Index
Article How to Identify Plants in the Field Tips on how to identify plant specimens from Brian Boom, a curator at the New York Botanical Garden. Article How to Calculate a Biodiversity Index Learn the simple formula scientists use to quantify the biodiversity of any area.