Exploring hidden soil life: An online soil biodiversity scavenger hunt

How this lesson is different from others

So far, you have learned that soils are home to an incredible diversity of organisms and that these organisms are connected through the soil food web. In this activity, you will explore this hidden diversity for yourself.

This lesson is a little different from the previous ones: instead of following a fixed text, you will become an explorer of soil biodiversity. Your task is not to collect organisms, but to discover, compare and connect different soil organisms with their ecological roles and their place in the soil food web.

There is no single “correct” organism to find. Choose organisms that catch your interest, whether they are familiar, unusual, large, tiny, beautiful, or surprising. The goal is to develop a deeper appreciation of the diversity of life beneath our feet.

Follow the step-by-step guide from Step 1 to Step 4 to complete the scavenger hunt. If you would like to explore further, you can extend the activity with creative or outdoor tasks. Share your findings afterwards with fellow learners or record a meaningful discovery in your Soil Diary.