Identifying an organism is always a means to an end, never an end in itself. At its simplest it enables us to attach a name to an organism but that can be only a start, leading to numerous other aspects of biology, sociology and culture.

Below we list some areas that you may wish to explore and use keys as a basis for learning experiences of all kinds.

 

Examine your specimen carefully

All plants have features (called characters) which help to identify them. Some are very obvious, some are less obvious. Careful observation will help you avoid errors.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the diversity of plant and animal life in a particular location or habitat.

A study can be confined to a small area, a particular habitat or a particular group of organisms if required. Generating a simple list of (say) beetles or birds seen at a bird table can be used to explain biodiversity. How many species are there? Are some more common than others? Follow this up by investigating why this might be.

Ecology

Ecology relates to the interdependence of organisms on each other and their environment.

Generating lists for two different habitats and comparing them is a basis for explaining ecology - different species are adapted to and occur in different habitats. Follow up by investigating morphological or behavioural adaptations that enable the organisms to exploit or succeed in that habitat.

Dispersal

Disperal refers to how organisms spread into new areas.

Generate a list of organisms then divide them into categories by means of dispersal. Which will be able to spread easily over long distances and colonise new areas? How do they achieve this? This works particularly well with plants.

Biogeography. Distribution.

Biogeography is the study of the distribution of biodiversity over space and time. It aims to reveal where organisms live, and at what abundance.

Often studied on a large scale, this can be adapted to any small or local area.

Survey an area such as a hedgerow, patch of waste ground, even walls. Which species are native to the country/region and which are introduced? Where are the introductions from? What reasons might explain their presence? These range from organisms which have spread due to greater availability of food and changes in environmental conditions such as pollution, to escapes from cultivation in nearby gardens.

Cultural and economic history

Similar to Biogeography studies but with the emphasis on historical aspects such as trade with particular regions of the world and cultivation to support local industries.

Making use of biodiversity

How do we select the organisms we utilise? Why and how do we chose some and not others for particular purposes? An example is to identify the street trees in an area. Why are these species chosen and not other (often more common) relatives? Reasons may include shape (to avoid obstructing traffic), shade, ornamental value of flowers, leaves which fall rapidly over a short period and do not clog drains etc.

Environment studies

Taken from the point of view of Man's effects on the environment, for example relating to pollution studies.

A survey of lichens or other environmentally sensitive species can indicate the relative 'health' of the atmosphere. Changes over time require data from previous surveys but comparisons of contemporary urban and rural sites can be revealing.