Students explore the phenomenon that different types of plants grow in different parts of the forest and how this phenomenon connects to plant diversity in forested environments. Students will investigate the diversity of trees, shrubs, and understory plants to explore this phenomenon. Students will learn how to identify plants using the unique structures of different plant species. They will also learn that each unique structure often has a specific function that assists the plant in survival. Students will also figure out that plant diversity is an important factor in forest health and that there are many different ways that diversity can change in the forest.
Find detailed protocols and lists of tools for Modules 2-4 on the Field Protocols page.
Utilize grade-specific notebooks throughout the modules using the link.
Collect and analyze forest ecology data related to fire risk
Describe several human activities that can protect forest environments and communities
Communicate their forest’s fire risk and recommended forest management activities to a Community Partner (and potentially other audiences)
Acknowledges prior experiences around forest fires.
Students are introduced to a plant diversity phenomena and their role as community scientists in the Our Forests program.
Students will prepare to collect tree density and diversity data and they will gain an understanding of plant structures and how those structures help the plant survive.
Students collect data on tree density and diversity in their Our Forest plots and begin to understand what tree density for forest health. Students will conduct personal forest investigations that are self-guided.
Students analyze their tree density and diversity data set and build their understanding about how different parts of the forest vary in density and diversity.
Students will explore the concept of forest density in Yosemite through historical texts, photographs, and data tables and graphs.
Students will gain a basic understanding of shrubs and their role in the forest.
Students collect data on shrubs in their forest plots and explore the greater forest gaining further understanding of the role of shrubs and the potential impacts of non-native shrubs species.
Students will analyze their shrub diversity data in the classroom and build their understanding around the connection between forest health and shrub diversity.
Students revisit their forest experiences, including their observations and questions to send to their community partner as a class.
Students prepare to measure understory plant diversity in their forest plots and to think about what forest management will mean for their forest site.
Students collect data on understory plant diversity and will also gain experience presenting information about their forest site by sharing what they have learned about their plots to their classmates.
Students will analyze and make sense of their understory plant diversity data.
Students design and create a meaningful presentation that can be in multiple or different formats for a variety of audiences.