Explore related articles

Biogeochemistry

Biogeochemistry is a big word. Biogeochemistry also covers an enormous field of study. It is a systems science – a way of looking at how the Earth’s systems (water, atmosphere, land and living ...

+ Create new collection

ARTICLE

Professor Richard McDowell

Positions: Professor – Lincoln University, Principal Scientist – AgResearch, Chief Scientist – National Science Challenge: Our Land and Water. Field: Soil and water quality. Professor Richard ...

+ Create new collection

ARTICLE

The phosphorus cycle

Phosphorus is a chemical element found on Earth in numerous compound forms, such as the phosphate ion (PO₄^3-), located in water, soil and sediments. The quantities of phosphorus in soil are ...

+ Create new collection

Explore related activities

ACTIVITY

Farming and environmental issues

In this activity, students explore ethical issues related to farming and environmental pollution. They learn about the science involved and the range of perspectives among stakeholders. By the ...

+ Create new collection

ACTIVITY

Water and nutrient leaching

In this activity, students demonstrate how substances are dissolved and transported by water through the soil. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: demonstrate the leaching of ...

+ Create new collection

ACTIVITY

Liming paddocks

In this activity, students measure the pH of soil collected from a paddock. This will be used to estimate the amount of agricultural lime needed to promote good grass growth. By the end of this ...

+ Create new collection

Explore related citizen science projects

CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

The Great Kiwi Earthworm Survey

Earthworms are useful indicators of soil health. This project aims to capture information on earthworm abundance and species distribution throughout New Zealand. Information provided will be used ...

+ Create new collection

CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

eBird

This comprehensive worldwide online citizen science (OCS) project collates bird species, numbers, locations and times of sightings into a large database. You can create a class as a user and, by ...

+ Create new collection

CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Spyfish Aotearoa

Come and visit Aotearoa New Zealand’s underwater world in this online citizen science project. Discover, count and identify unique fish species that live within our marine reserves ...

+ Create new collection

Explore related PLD

TEACHER PLD

Planet Earth and Beyond – Soil

Soil – it’s much more than dirt. Soil keeps us alive. Without soil, we would be hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless and breathless. Soils differ from location to location and are a range of colours ...

+ Create new collection

TEACHER PLD

Topic planner: Soil theme – Nutrients

This topic planner offers a suggested pathway through some of the soils resources on the Science Learning Hub. You can use it to create a personalised teaching unit. The topic planner focuses on ...

+ Create new collection

TEACHER PLD

Effects of silage on a rural stream – unit plan

Students investigate silage production and test a stream to see if run-off from silage is polluting it. Students then produce a pamphlet of their findings to educate the community. Purpose To ...

+ Create new collection

Explore related videos

VIDEO

Phosphorus

Dr Ross Monaghan from AgResearch at Invermay in Otago explains the importance of phosphorus and then talks us through phosphorus cycle. Jargon alert Ross mentions that phosphorous is adsorbed to ...

+ Create new collection

VIDEO

What is biogeochemistry?

Professor Louis Schipper from Waikato University is a soil biogeochemist. He explains the meaning of the term ‘biogeochemistry’ and what it has to do with the cycling of elements and nutrients in ...

+ Create new collection

VIDEO

Managing the nutrient problem

Dr Ross Monaghan from AgResearch at Invermay in Otago talks about various practices that can be employed to manage nutrient losses from becoming a problem on farmland.

+ Create new collection

Explore related interactives

INTERACTIVE

The terrestrial nitrogen cycle

An interactive showing the main components of the terrestrial nitrogen cycle. Select one of the buttons to find out more. Go here to view the full transcript and copyright information.

+ Create new collection

INTERACTIVE

1080 and pest control – a timeline

This timeline explores the history and science of mammalian pest control in New Zealand. A full transcript is underneath the timeline.

+ Create new collection

INTERACTIVE

Common pasture plant species

New Zealand dairy farming is pastured-based. Discover a few of the commonly used plant species.

+ Create new collection