Knauss legislative fellowships in Congress help build careers — and they're fun and educational. See our video and fact sheet for details.
What Is the Key to Classification?
Dichotomous keys are designed to assist people with the identification of all types of living things from plants to microbes.
By analyzing the physical characteristics of the object/organism in question and using the steps and choices given in the key, the observer can identify an object/organism based upon well-established traits. At each step in the process, the student is asked to choose one trait over another, which enables the student eventually to establish the object/organism’s unique identity.
In this interactive lesson, you will learn how to make a dichotomous key. You will also learn how to identify important organisms that are part of a biofilm community — a useful skill that will help you with the activities in Biofilms and Biodiversity, another interactive lesson offered by Maryland Sea Grant.
See and use the interactive lessons on the “What is the Key to Classification?” website.
Or download the “What is the Key to Classification?” lessons.
Program Announcements
News and Blogs
Featured Fellow
Leone Yisrael is a cephalopod-loving scuba diver, cook, and loves to try new activities. She conducts genetic analysis and fieldwork at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center through the Coastal Disease Ecology Lab.
Featured Research Project
Exploring the Use of Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells to Remove Sulfide While Harvesting Energy from Oyster Aquaculture Biodeposits
Oyster aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry in Maryland’s Chesapeake waters which stimulates economic activity and may provide a host of ecosystem benefits. A potential concern associated with the intensification of the oyster aquaculture is the local production and accumulation of oyster biodeposits, which can lead to a porewater sulfide accumulation and declining bioturbation, symptoms of declining ecosystem function. Sulfide is naturally removed from the seafloor by the interactions between bioturbating infauna and sulfide oxidizing bacteria.
Chesapeake Quarterly Magazine
A Growing Industry: Advancing Oyster Aquaculture in Maryland
