Trees in Peril
Articles/Websites
Grades8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Geography
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Provided by The Nature Conservancy
What it is
- In this article and video, students learn about how non-native pests are affecting North America's tree species, what it means to wildlife ecosystems, and how it's connected to climate change.
- The video highlights the efforts by different scientists, institutions, and communities to breed pest-resistant tree species, track invasive pests, and protect forests.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This resource addresses a critical issue of dying trees and forests, which are global carbon sinks.
- This resource provides visual information on the affected trees, pests affecting them, and the scars of the affected trees.
Prerequisites
- Students may need to understand carbon sequestration and the importance of forest habitat to better recognize the impact that trees have in the environment.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students can study the specific pests mentioned to understand how they spread, their lifecycles, and how they damage trees.
- Students can download and explore the TreeSnap app, learn how it works, and (if possible) contribute to it.
- The teacher can link this resource to the topic of climate change, analyzing how deforestation and other human activities have led to significant reduction in forest population in recent years, how this will affect the fight against climate change and discuss possible mitigation measures.
- Take science students on a walk near the school campus to observe plant pests such as aphids, catarpillars, etc. and then have them do a project about the ecosystem interactions occurring, the evolutionary process that may drive speciation or extinction, or how climate change may affect the plants and pests observed.
From the scientist review
This resource from The Nature Conservancy addresses four American tree species threatened by invasive insects and diseases, emphasizing efforts to identify and breed resilient "lingering trees" found in depleted forest stands. It features clear text and a short video with interviews with biologists and conservationists. The resource includes colorful images of the trees and scientists' work, with sources cited. It also emphasizes a forests' role in carbon sequestration and their importance for human health and climate. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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