There is a lot of life above the earth. But in most systems, there is more life BELOW the soil than above it. Slides and activities

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Discipline
Earth and Space Sciences
Grade Level
3-5
6-8
9-12
Lesson Area
Soil Biology
Lesson Type
Activity
Slides/Photos/Figures
Teacher's Guide
Lesson Keywords
Soil Microorganisms
Soil Life
Soil Biology

Next Generation Science Standards

Grade Discipline Core Idea
3-5 ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

Four major Earth systems interact. Rainfall helps to shape the land and affects the types of living things found in a region. Water, ice, wind, organisms, and gravity break rocks, soils, and sediments into smaller pieces and move them around.
3-5 ESS2.E: Biogeology

Living things can affect the physical characteristics of their environment.
3-5 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Energy and fuels humans use are derived from natural sources and their use affects the environment. Some resources are renewable over time, others are not.
3-5 ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems

Societal activities have had major effects on the land, ocean, atmosphere, and even outer space. Societal activities can also help protect Earth's resources and environments.
3-5 LS4.D: Biodiversity and humans

Populations of organisms live in a variety of habitats. Change in those habitats affects the organisms living there.
6-8 ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

Energy flows and matter cycles within and among Earth's systems, including the sun and Earth's interior as primary energy sources. Plate tectonics is one result of these processes.
6-8 ESS2.E: Biogeology

[Content found in LS4.A and LS4.D]
6-8 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Humans depend on Earth's land, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere for different resources, many of which are limited or not renewable. Resources are distributed unevenly around the planet as a result of past geologic processes.
6-8 ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems

Human activities have altered the biosphere, sometimes damaging it, although changes to environments can have different impacts for different living things. Activities and technologies can be engineered to reduce people's impacts on Earth.
6-8 LS4.D: Biodiversity and humans

Changes in biodiversity can influence humans' resources and ecosystem services they rely on.
9-12 ESS2.A: Earth materials and systems

Feedback effects exist within and among Earth's systems.
9-12 ESS2.E: Biogeology

The biosphere and Earth's other systems have many interconnections that cause a continual co-evolution of Earth's surface and life on it.
9-12 ESS3.A: Natural resources

Resource availability has guided the development of human society and use of natural resources has associated costs, risks, and benefits.
9-12 ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems

Sustainability of human societies and the biodiversity that supports them requires responsible management of natural resources, including the development of technologies. 
9-12 LS4.D: Biodiversity and humans

Biodiversity is increased by formation of new species and reduced by extinction. Humans depend on biodiversity but also have adverse impacts on it. Sustaining biodiversity is essential to supporting life on Earth.