BioCubes: Exploring Biodiversity in One Cubic Foot

Most of the world’s biodiversity occurs at small scales; organisms hidden in leaf litter, soil, and the nooks and crannies of environments. The BioCube exercises generate a census of living organisms within a cubic foot.... [ view full abstract ]

Most of the world’s biodiversity occurs at small scales; organisms hidden in leaf litter, soil, and the nooks and crannies of environments. The BioCube exercises generate a census of living organisms within a cubic foot. Students count individuals, create images and learn to ID taxa. By focusing on an accessible cubic foot of nature, participants discover that the ‘ordinary’ life around us is extraordinary.

The BioCube process stresses perception of the environment. Students start with site selection; they observe the cube in a local context and then extract the cube material. Together they discover, sort, identify and report the organisms that they find. Data analysis includes exploring patterns of abundance and diversity. A suite of free online tools that integrate with iNaturalist will support taxon identification, data analysis and delivery of results to naturalists and scientists. Scientists provide feedback to the students and the community as they incorporate the data into their research projects.

The tools and equipment needed to implement a BioCube project are simple and easily obtained at hardware stores for under $30. Teacher workshops and online video trainings were designed to disseminate BioCube protocols. We collected feedback from 44 educators who were introduced to the BioCubes exercise in workshops and conference presentations. We trialed BioCube exercises, produced training videos and refined protocols with three student groups. Ten exemplar BioCubes were professionally sampled and data from these BioCubes are being published online. A BioCubes exhibit will debut at the Smithsonian Museum in the fall of 2015.

The BioCube platform will take advantage of materials available in museum collections and modern tools like genetic barcoding. Up close and personal exposure to local biodiversity and related scientific research will inspire the next generation of naturalists pursue interests in Natural History and contribute to a growing body of ecosystem knowledge.