This video describes an interactive map that was created to document the world's forests as carbon sinks or sources.
In creating this visual, researchers determined that the world's forests take up and store twice as much carbon as they release, however there is regional variability based on land-use practices and other variables.
Users can zoom in on different forests to determine if the region is a carbon source or sink and observe forest cover.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video describes the concept of forests as carbon sources and sinks while integrating technology and collaboration to visualize an environmental problem.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with the carbon cycle.
More background information about the creation of this interactive map can be found here.
The Global Forest Watch Interactive Map is available here.
Differentiation
If choosing to have students explore the carbon flux map, pairing students may be helpful to aid in the navigation of maps and to enrich discussion.
Students will use mapping skills to identify and analyze the rate of deforestation, identify blue spots, find carbon sinks, and also develop long-term plans for sustainable forest protection. The resource is valid and recommended to teach students.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-3 Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
HS-ESS3-6 Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
