Biodiversity Lab Activity with CER: Biodiversity Index and Ecosystem Stability

Explore biodiversity and ecosystem stability with this hands-on Biodiversity Lab Activity with CER! Students measure and model biodiversity using a bead simulation to calculate biodiversity indexes, compare six ecosystems, and simulate a bottleneck event to observe how sudden population changes can impact population size, species loss, and ecosystem stability.

Students rotate through stations to sort and count beads, record data, and calculate a simplified biodiversity index for six model ecosystems. Then, students simulate a bottleneck event by randomly removing individuals and analyzing how the number of individuals, species remaining, and species lost change after the disturbance.

Students use evidence from their investigation to complete a CER on biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Perfect for making this abstract concept visual, interactive, and easy to understand! This activity is included in my ecology unit bundle. 

Biodiversity Lab Activity includes:

• Teacher Guide: A detailed teacher overview with materials set-up, tips, station bead combinations, and guidance for running the lab smoothly. (1 page)

• Biodiversity Lab Handout with Procedures: A concise, student-friendly overview of biodiversity, the simplified biodiversity index used in this lab, ecosystem stability, and the bottleneck effect, paired with two structured procedures for carrying out the simulations. (1 page)

• Student Lab Handout: Students complete a data table by calculating the biodiversity index across six ecosystems. Then, they model a bottleneck event and record changes in population size, species remaining, and species lost. Students use their data to answer analysis questions and complete a scaffolded biodiversity CER activity. (2 pages)

• Biodiversity Lab Station Signs: Ready-to-print station labels (color and black-and-white) to make setup quick and organized. This activity uses six stations to represent six different ecosystems. (12 signs – B/W or color)

• Answer Keys: Complete answer keys for data tables, analysis questions, and CER responses to support easy grading.

• Editable (PPT), printable (PDF), and digital (Google Slides) versions are all included

Simple Reusable Materials: You just need 20 different colored beads (six different colors) and two reusable containers (for sorting) per station! You can edit the lab documents in case you’d like to use something other than beads.

Pacing: This lab fits neatly into a single 45–50 minute period and works perfectly as part of your ecology unit.

Why teachers love this Biodiversity Lab:

• Simple setup: Just beads and cups (or paper plates) make this lab easy to prep and run. All materials are reusable for all of your classes.
• Highly visual learning: Students clearly see how ecosystems can differ in biodiversity and how disturbances can affect species remaining in a population.
• Built-in math integration: Students calculate a simplified biodiversity index and analyze data from their model ecosystems.
• Bottleneck effect simulation: Students randomly remove individuals to model a sudden population reduction and observe how species may be lost from the surviving population.
• Higher-level thinking included: Students use evidence from their data to complete a CER on biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
• NGSS Aligned: Supports HS-LS2 standards related to ecosystem stability, biodiversity, population changes, and the effects of disturbances.
• Multiple Formats and Editable: PDF, Google Slides, and an editable PowerPoint version are included in your download to meet your needs.

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