Page 55 - BBC Knowledge - October 2017 IN

FUN FOR
NATURE LOVERS

SEARCH FOR SEAWEED
FOR SCIENCE!
A trip to the coast will feature in many people’s summer
plans; if you’re visiting Britain, you have an ideal
opportunity to take part in the Big Seaweed Search,
which is being run by the Natural History Museum in
collaboration with the Marine Conservation Society.
Seaweed plays a vital role in creating underwater
habitats and providing food for fish and other marine
creatures. We don’t yet fully understand what impact
climate change is having on seaweed species, but
armed with nothing more than a pen, some paper and
a smartphone or camera, you can help scientists get to
grips with what is happening.
Visit nhm.ac.uk/seaweeds to download a seaweed
guide and recording form, then start rockpooling!
Submit your observations and photos online.

CREATE A WORLD IN A JAR
This summer, why not make a self-contained ecosystem?
Called a ‘terrarium’, your small biosphere will house plant
life that can survive without human intervention for years
– perhaps even decades!
Pour a 2- to 3cm layer of gravel or pebbles into a jar.
This will allow a space for moisture to drain. Add a thin layer
of activated charcoal, which is available from pet shops –
this will help to remove impurities from the water. Add
a 2cm layer of good potting soil.
Next, choose a plant that grows well in humid
conditions, such as a strawberry begonia, spiderwort or
fern. Trim back the roots so it doesn’t grow too large, plant
it in the soil and add some sphagnum moss around the
edge. Spray in a little water to moisten the leaves, then seal
the jar and place it in a bright, indoor spot, near a window
and away from radiators.
You may need to open the jar once a week to clean it if
there is a lot of condensation; other than that, your newly
built ecosystem should look after itself.