Activity 9 - Rainforest Cryptosphere

Focus
The hidden world of the leaf litter contains life forms which are adapted to live in the various zones of the cryptosphere.

Background
This activity may be undertaken in any well mulched garden. If you want to conduct the activity in a national park or conservation area, appropriate approval will be required.

The cryptosphere can be divided into three zones or layers:
• the surface of the leaf litter
• the mulch layer (made up of the loose, decomposing leaves)
• the soil (the ground or base dirt of the forest)
Each layer has animals adapted to live in that particular habitat. On the surface layer are animals evolved to run, such as spiders, ants and beetles. In the mulch layer are crawling animals such as cockroaches and centipedes. In the soil layer are burrowing animals such as worms and beetle larvae. The Cryptosphere Identification Chart shows the main cryptosphere animals found in rainforest.
The following fact sheets provide further information:
• Cryptosphere Animal Groups
• Cryptosphere Insects
• Cryptosphere Arachnids
• Cryptosphere Vertebrates
• Other Cryptosphere Life Forms
• Fungus Facts.

Pedagogy/teaching strategies
1. Divide the class into groups of three and and assign roles. The recorder (with pencil and recording sheet) lists animals observed in each layer. The director ensures study procedure is followed. The observer (with shallow white dish, magnifying glass and identification sheet) provides the names of identified animals to the recorder.
2. Select study areas about A3 size. Use markers to designate each study area.
3. Spend five minutes observing animals on the top of the leaves. Record/list animals observed on the blank Cryptosphere Recording Sheet.
4. Move the leaves of the top layer to one side exposing the mulch layer. Use a stick to search in the study area. List animals observed.
5. Repeat Step 4 and dig into the underlying dirt to look for animals. List those observed.

Safety
• Wear shoes, socks and disposable gloves
• Do not sit on the leaf litter
• Do not pick up potentially dangerous animals such as scorpions, spiders, and centipedes
• Scoop unknown animals into the white dish and use magnifying glasses to aid identification.

Activity sequence
1. Introduce the Cryptosphere Identification Chart. Children list those animals already known.
2. Explore information about cryptosphere animals using the Fact Sheets listed above.
3. Outline the study procedure, select the area of study and carry out the activity.
4. Back in the classroom, collate information from each study group and record observed animals on a three-layered chart (surface layer, mulch, soil.)
5. Examine the body shapes of animals as a cross-section. Discuss adaptations for each layer.
6. Write a Learning Journal using a three-layered diagram of animals and their cross-sections to show how their shape is adapted to live in each layer.