Biodiversity
What does the word "biodiversity" mean?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. These organisms work together in an ecosystem to maintain and support all life on Earth. It can also refer to the number of species found in a defined area, like the great state of Wisconsin! Or in your backyard, library grounds, community park, etc.
What living things are found in in Wisconsin?
Approximately 1,800 species of native plants and close to 700 species of native vertebrates have been identified in Wisconsin. In addition, there are thousands of species of non-vascular plants and invertebrates. These pages highlight the uncommon and rare species, natural communities, geological features and essential habitat areas throughout Wisconsin.
Check out the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website on biodiversity to learn about the rich biodiversity call Wisconsin home.
Biodiversity Activities and Lessons
Grades: 3 - 5
Description: Students select and map an area. Then they practice finding direction, determining scale, and identifying natural and human features
Grades: 6 - 12+
Description: Students conduct a plot study to observe and record the presence of all living organisms in a selected area.
Seek is a free, child-safe app developed by iNaturalist to help people discover the natural world by identifying plants and animals, while earning badges along the way!
Grades: 3 - 5
Description: Students select an area, identify the species living there, and complete a species inventory.
Grades: 3 - 12+
Description: Articles, videos, and more, all about biodiversity, ecosystems, and species.
Discover Great Lakes aquatic species through the Great Lakes Water Life Explorer database. static photo gallery with access to regionally-specific taxonomic lists and keys where such were available as well as links to a host of regional resources for the various taxa.
Want to learn more?