In this activity, students develop a map that reflects the spatial and temporal responses of bison to prescribed fires that have occurred on The Nature Conservancy's Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Students use Global Positioning System [GPS] data from bison along with a map delineating the boundaries of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve's "bison unit" and "winter burn units (2009)."
In this activity, students develop a map that reflects the spatial and temporal responses of bison to prescribed fires that have occurred on The Nature Conservancy's Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Students use Global Positioning System [GPS] data from bison along with a map delineating the boundaries of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve's "bison unit" and "winter burn units (2009)."
Step 1: Student Worksheet - Use this link to open the "Response of Bison to Fire" student worksheet Google Document. Make your own copy of this worksheet to be submitted using a Google Form when the activity has been completed (Step 6).
Step 1: Student Worksheet - Use this link to open the "Response of Bison to Fire" student worksheet Google Document. Make your own copy of this worksheet to be submitted using a Google Form when the activity has been completed (Step 6).
Step 2: Background Information - Using the slideshow below, complete "Part A" of the student worksheet.
Step 2: Background Information - Using the slideshow below, complete "Part A" of the student worksheet.
Step 3: Preparation of Files for Map Development
Step 3: Preparation of Files for Map Development
The following files contain locations for 3 GPS-collared bison (#149, #150, and #155) during the months of March, April, and May of 2009. Each file must be downloaded as an Excel file and, then, saved as a Google Sheets file in your Google Drive. Once the files are in Google Drive, they can be uploaded to your Google Map for this activity. A demonstration video has been provided.
The following files contain locations for 3 GPS-collared bison (#149, #150, and #155) during the months of March, April, and May of 2009. Each file must be downloaded as an Excel file and, then, saved as a Google Sheets file in your Google Drive. Once the files are in Google Drive, they can be uploaded to your Google Map for this activity. A demonstration video has been provided.
Step 4: Production of Map
Step 4: Production of Map
The video included in this step demonstrates the procedure necessary to produce the bison fire response map using simple geographic information system [GIS] tools included with Google Maps.
The video included in this step demonstrates the procedure necessary to produce the bison fire response map using simple geographic information system [GIS] tools included with Google Maps.
Step 5: Map Analysis - Complete "Part C" of the student worksheet by managing your map's GIS layers as directed by the prompts.
Step 5: Map Analysis - Complete "Part C" of the student worksheet by managing your map's GIS layers as directed by the prompts.
Step 6: Worksheet Submission - Submit your completed student worksheet using the "Submission Link" beneath the information for the correct instructor/class/school. If your instructor provided you with a different submission process, be sure to follow those instructions.
Step 6: Worksheet Submission - Submit your completed student worksheet using the "Submission Link" beneath the information for the correct instructor/class/school. If your instructor provided you with a different submission process, be sure to follow those instructions.
Bryan Kearns
Dobyns-Bennett High School
Fire Science
Submission Link
Submission Link
Tanner Culbreath
Jenks High School
Environmental Science
Submission Link
Submission Link