Soil Matters Too!

This lesson will introduce students to the basics of decomposition and microbial soil respiration and how these processes influence the carbon cycle. The lesson begins with students using animations and short videos, answering group discussion questions, and a worksheet with stop-and-think questions. They will then design and carry out a laboratory experiment on how soil respiration rates might be influenced by one of the following climate-related variables - temperature, soil moisture, soil nutrients, soil fertility, and soil type using a simple soil respiration chamber and lime-water. In the second part of the lab activity, students learn the basics about permafrost soil and what might happen as this permanently frozen soil begins to thaw due to a warming atmosphere. They will consider possible carbon cycle feedback loops to a warming atmosphere if the permafrost continues to thaw.