Lesson 4 – Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
This is the fourth lesson in a five-part National FFA introductory soil health series, focused on soil biodiversity and the living organisms in soil. Through a gallery walk, a hands-on lab comparing two soil samples under magnification, and a creative “Soil City Detective” writing activity, students learn to define soil biodiversity, identify major soil organisms and their ecological roles, and analyze how human practices affect soil life. The lesson includes student activity sheets, an answer key, soil organism appendix cards, and a story-writing rubric.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Define soil biodiversity and explain its importance to overall soil health.
- Identify major types of soil organisms and their roles in soil ecosystems.
- Investigate soil life through direct observation and classroom activities.
- Analyze how human practices influence soil biodiversity.
- Time required
- 90-100 minutes
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "Who's in My Soil" student activity sheet for each student
- A copy of the "Signs of Life" student activity sheet for each student
- A copy of the "Soil City Detective" student activity sheet for each student
- A copy of the "Appendix 1: Soil Organisms" cards cut apart (One class set)
- Two soil samples (healthy and unhealthy)
- Microscopes, hand lenses or magnifying glasses (One per student if possible or share amongst class)
- Microscope slides
- Plastic containers for soil
- Student devices with internet access
- Description of Lesson
- This lesson introduces students to the concept of soil health and its importance in agriculture and ecosystems. Students will explore the physical, chemical and biological components of soil and analyze real soil samples to observe variations in texture, composition and organic matter. Through hands-on activities and discussions, they will develop an understanding of what makes soil healthy and why maintaining soil quality is essential for food production and environmental sustainability.
- Vocabulary
- Actinomycetes; Bacteria; Earthworms; Mites; Mycorrhizal Fungi; Nematodes; Organism; Protozoa; Soil Health; Springtails
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science: Conduct a lab to evaluate and compare two soil samples. English/Language Arts: Write a creative story about soil organisms missing from a soil ecosystem.
- SAE and FFA Connections
- Agronomy CDE; Environmental and Natural Resources CDE; Proficiency Areas: Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management; Foundational SAE Connections: Agricultural Literacy
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Environmental Literacy; Global Awareness; Information, Communications, and Technology Literacy; Think Creatively
- Created
- 07/2025 by the National FFA Organization
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Lesson 4 – Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health (PDF)
Lesson 4 – Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health (DOCX)
Worksheet
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.03Examine and summarize the importance of health, safety and environmental management systems in AFNR workplaces.
- CS.04Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
- CS.06Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing and management of food, fiber and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
AFNR Performance Element
Common Career Technical Core
- AG-NR2Analyze the interrelationships between natural resources and humans.
- AG-NR4Demonstrate responsible management procedures and techniques to protect or maintain natural resources.
- AG3Examine and summarize the importance of health, safety, and environmental management systems in AFNR businesses.
- AG4Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
- AG6Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing, and management of food, fiber, and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.3Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4Produce clear and coherent writing the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.8Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
FFA Precept
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
FFA Precepts
- FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
Green/Sustainability Knowledge and Skill Statements
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 1Apply understanding of ecosystems and systems thinking to the management of natural resources to maximize the health and productivity of the environment, agriculture, communities, and society.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 3Communicate the impact of green and sustainability principles on agriculture, food and natural resource systems.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 7Demonstrate an understanding of green and sustainability trends that are impacting processes and markets in AFNR.
Next Generation Science
- HS-ESS3-1Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.