We all know that plants need soil to grow; but do you know that soil is the home for numerous organisms such as the earthworm, insects, millipede etc. and also for countless microscopic organisms. Many of these organisms eat decaying plant and animal materials and help to manage the waste and hence enhance the fertility of the soil. You may know that presence of earthworms is the sign of good fertile soil and people introduces earthworm in their farms to enhance the growth of crops and to get a good yield. How could we study the biodiversity present in the soil?
Antonio Berlese (1863-1927) an Italian biologist discovered a method to collecting soil organisms in using some easily available items such as funnel, lamps mesh etc. This device is called Berlese funnel.
Let us make a Berlese funnel and check that who all are living in the soil present in the backyard of our home or school.
Let us make a Berlese Funnel
Here are the things you need to make a Berlese Funnel -
1. Plastic bottle 1 (1L water bottle)
2. Scissors or knife
3. Scale
4. Rubber band/twain
5. Plastic cover
6. Sheet of white paper
7. Glue/Tape
8. A lamp (optional)
How to make a Berlese Funnel -
1. Mark a point 13 centimetres from the top of the bottle and cut it using scissors.
2. Make small perforations in the plastic sheet and place it at the mouth of the plastic bottle. Secure it by using rubber bands.
3. Invert the top of the bottle and place it on the bottom part.
4. Cover the sides of the funnel using paper
5. Your Berlese Funnel is ready!
6. Collect some soil (some group could collect it from the school ground, others from the area where leaves are decomposing etc.)
7. Fill the funnel with soil
8. Keep it under the sunlight for at least half an hour (you can keep it under a table lamp if it is available).
9. Note down which organism collected in the bottom part of the bottle.
10. Now compare the result obtained by different groups and discuss why certain groups got more organisms while others not?
Steps have been illustrated below for your reference.
Reflection on Berlese Funnel activity:-
[Contributed by administrator on 10. Januar 2018 21:32:56]
Study of soil litter fauna
Biodiversity under the soil!
Antonio Berlese (1863-1927) an Italian biologist discovered a method to collecting soil organisms in using some easily available items such as funnel, lamps mesh etc. This device is called Berlese funnel.
Let us make a Berlese funnel and check that who all are living in the soil present in the backyard of our home or school.
Let us make a Berlese Funnel
Here are the things you need to make a Berlese Funnel -
1. Plastic bottle 1 (1L water bottle)
2. Scissors or knife
3. Scale
4. Rubber band/twain
5. Plastic cover
6. Sheet of white paper
7. Glue/Tape
8. A lamp (optional)
How to make a Berlese Funnel -
1. Mark a point 13 centimetres from the top of the bottle and cut it using scissors.
2. Make small perforations in the plastic sheet and place it at the mouth of the plastic bottle. Secure it by using rubber bands.
3. Invert the top of the bottle and place it on the bottom part.
4. Cover the sides of the funnel using paper
5. Your Berlese Funnel is ready!
6. Collect some soil (some group could collect it from the school ground, others from the area where leaves are decomposing etc.)
7. Fill the funnel with soil
8. Keep it under the sunlight for at least half an hour (you can keep it under a table lamp if it is available).
9. Note down which organism collected in the bottom part of the bottle.
10. Now compare the result obtained by different groups and discuss why certain groups got more organisms while others not?
Steps have been illustrated below for your reference.