Animal Communities
How many animals live by the stream near your school? WILD Aquatic’s activity “Blue Ribbon Niche” takes a look at the biodiversity of riparian areas, and incorporates art to visualize different niches where animals play. Don’t have a stream near your school? Try investigating other habitats (such as a forest or grassland) in your local surroundings.
Need help identifying critters? Request a free copy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’s Biodiversity of Iowa: Aquatic Habitats CD by contacting the Aquatic Education Program
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Harlow, R. 2002. Nature in Danger. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Holland, B. 1990. Caring for Planet Earth: The World Around Us. Lion Publishing Corporation.
Ryder, J. 1994.Dancers in the Garden. Sagebrush Education Resources.
Grades 3-5
Davis, B.J. 2007. Biomes and Ecosystems. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Fullick, A. 1999. Ecosystems and Environment. Heinemann.
Hogan, P.Z. and S. Seidenberg. 1990. Ecology: Our Living Planet. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Lane, B. and L. Buller. 2005. Ecology. DK Publishing, Inc.
Pringle, L.P. 1991. Living Treasure: Saving Earth's Threatened Biodiversity. HarperCollins Publishers.
Pringle, L.P 1977. Animals and their niches: How species share resources. Morrow.
Robson, P. 2004. Ecosystems. Stargazer Books.
Seidenberg, S. 1990. Ecology and Conservation. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Grades 6-8
Gallant, R.A. 2002. The Wonders of Biodiversity. Benchmark Books.
Smith, Jr., H.E. 1987. Small Worlds: Communities of Living Things. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Patent, D.H. 2003. Biodiversity. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Strauss, R. 2004. Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Whyman, K. 1999. Animal Kingdom: A Guide to Vertebrate Classification and Biodiversity. Raintree Publishers.
Grades 9-12
Dudley, W. 2001. Current Controversies - Biodiversity. Greenhaven Press.
Patent, D. 2003. Biodiversity. Clarion Books.
Solbring, O., Emben, H., and H, Oordt. 1996. Biodiversity and Global Change. CABI Publishing.
