The importance of planting native plants

In this science lesson, students first learn about the transpiration of plants and then plan and perform an experiment in groups to investigate the water loss through the leaves of different types of plants in the playground. They will share their findings by creating informative graphs and discover that Australian native plants tend to have less water loss than exotic plants. Through careful observation, they will be able to explain how the special design features of native plants reduce the rate of transpiration. Finally, students work in groups to research how native plants can play a crucial role in the regeneration of Australia. 

Learning intentions:

Students will...

• learn about transpiration and the differences between Australian native and exotic plants
• be able to measure the water loss from the leaves of Australian native plants and exotic plants.

Success criteria:

Students can...

• describe the process of transpiration and identify some Australian native plants
• be able plan and carry out an experiment to determine the water loss through the leaves of different plants
• communicate their findings and draw implications for the regeneration of Australia based on their results.

Credits and acknowledgements:

Curriculum material and mapping has been developed and written by Cool.org.

Regenerating Australia is a Regen Studios film developed and produced in association with WWF-Australia. Cool.org and Regen Studios would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of Shark Island Foundation, Documentary Australia Foundation, and our philanthropic partners in the development of these teaching resources.