Learn How Roads Can Affect Biodiversity
Videos
Grades3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Science, Biology
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Mongabay Kids
What it is
- In this resource from Mongabay Kids, students will watch a video about the impact of roads on forests and animal habitats, then answer discussion questions about the content.
- Students will understand how roads can lead to fragmented habitats, an increase in invasive species and wildfires, and other adverse impacts.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The discussion questions allow for a deeper understanding of the video's topics.
- This video does an excellent job of covering a lot of information in a condensed format.
Prerequisites
- It may benefit students to have a general idea of how habitat loss can impact species.
Differentiation & Implementation
- To make connections to climate change, teachers can highlight the portion of the video about forest fires. Teachers can then explain how climate change can also work to increase the frequency and severity of forest fires.
- Connections to climate change can also be made by emphasizing the importance of trees and forests in carbon sequestration. This lesson plan may help to communicate the importance of trees and forests.
- Teachers can use this lesson for designing a wildlife corridor as a hands-on, solutions-based extension activity.
- Teachers may want to give students a printout of the discussion questions or have them write the questions down in their notebooks to jot down ideas as they watch the video.
- This concept can be connected to the Sustainable Development Goals, primarily SDG 15, Life on Land.
From the scientist review
This resource discusses the harm and benefits of building roads through forested or rural areas. The video emphasizes the environmental impacts of road construction on natural environments, animals, and biodiversity. However, the video encourages discussion about how society can continue building roads and expanding while making minimal impacts on the environment. An example of this, not mentioned in the video, is the construction of animal crossings over highways that allow animals to safely roam and travel. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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