• Strengthens subject knowledge, research, and communication skills
• Curriculum-relevant topics are taught in a practical way, promoting environmental awareness and sustainability
• Teachers receive comprehensive materials: guides, student worksheets, and evaluation criteria

Target Group: Grades 9–11
Duration: 4 lessons of 90 minutes each
Cost: The project is free
Materials: All required materials and instructions are provided

Students conduct fieldwork comparing two areas: a natural space (like a wild meadow) and a space more heavily influenced by human activities (like a lawn or flowerbed). The goal is to understand how human activities affect soil health and biodiversity. Through various experiments and data collection, students gather valuable information about soil life and functionality. They perform a series of chemical and biological tests and collect samples for further analysis. These samples are then analyzed at iDiv to contribute to a nationwide soil health monitoring system.

Factors Studied Include:

• Trees and Plant Cover: Trees and plants influence the soil’s microclimate. Their roots stabilize the soil and improve water retention, while their canopy provides shade and preserves moisture.
• Belowground Feeding Activity: Small soil organisms like microbes, springtails, and woodlice play a vital role in breaking down organic matter. They decompose dead plants and animals, releasing nutrients that promote plant growth. These organisms are crucial to the soil nutrient cycle, significantly contributing to soil fertility.
• Aboveground Predators: Predators like beetles, spiders, and birds maintain ecological balance by controlling populations of plant-eating insects. By keeping herbivores in check, these predators prevent overgrazing, which is especially important in agricultural and natural ecosystems.
• Soil pH: The pH level affects which nutrients are available to plants. A balanced pH indicates healthy soil capable of supporting diverse plant life.
• Earthworms as “Ecosystem Engineers”: Earthworms aerate the soil, distribute nutrients, and keep it loose through their tunneling activities. Their presence is a key indicator of soil fertility.

 
The project blends research with education: it enhances understanding of soil’s ecological functions and raises awareness of sustainable soil management. At the same time, it supports teachers with ready-made lesson plans and hands-on activities that can be easily integrated into biology classes.

Students develop scientific skills through the project and expand their knowledge of sustainable development and environmental protection. They conduct practical experiments and gather data, which are analyzed at iDiv. One of the core scientific outputs is the calculation of a soil multifunctionality index. This index illustrates how well various soil functions are being performed in the areas studied and provides insights into the overall health of the soil.

The project incorporates key topics of sustainable development (SDG education) and shows how human interventions in ecosystems impact soil health and biodiversity. The data collected contribute to a nationwide monitoring of soil health and support long-term research projects to preserve this valuable resource.