Wildfires and Climate Change: Erasing Western Forests Permanently

Provided by: Grist |Published on: April 27, 2021

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Synopsis

This article describes ecological shifts that are occurring in the Western United States, where pine forests are being replaced by shrubs and grasses, particularly after forest fires.
Specific examples of this shift in vegetation are identified in many states, citing scientific studies from a number of universities.

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Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Nathanael Johnson

Region: North America, USA - West, United States, California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The images in the article are striking and help students see exactly what the author is talking about.

Prerequisites

It might be helpful to introduce a map of the United States to show students where the article is referencing.
Discussing normal conditions (where fires help forests regenerate) might help students see the impacts of climate change on these ecosystems.

Differentiation & Implementation

Science classes could use this article to help illustrate the negative changes happening to forest ecosystems due to global warming and climate change.
Social studies classes could discuss the ramifications on human communities if wildfires burn hotter and forests are replaced by grasslands.
Students can researched the traditional ecological knowledge of prescribed burns.

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Wildfires and Climate Change: Erasing Western Forests Permanently

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources