Tailoring Forest Monitoring in Madagascar
Articles/Websites
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APBiology
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Provided by Global Forest Watch
What it is
- This article from Global Forest Watch explains how to use both tree canopy density and tree loss data to measure deforestation in Madagascar that is specific to natural forests that support biodiversity.
- Students will learn how Global Forests Watch shifted their model to help those who live in Madagascar make decisions about deforestation based on the most accurate and relevant data, in an effort to protect biodiversity.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will love the images of Madagascar species scattered throughout the article.
- This article does a great job of explaining the methods for data collection in a way that is easy to understand for those who have no prior knowledge of the subject.
Prerequisites
- Teachers may want to familiarize students with Madagascar's location and endemic species.
- It may benefit students to understand that different trees and forest types provide different kinds of habitats.
Differentiation & Implementation
- To help students synthesize the information in this article, teachers may have them answer three questions: What was the problem? Why was it important? How did it get solved?
- This article uses a lot of abbreviations. To help students keep these straight, teachers may want to create a cheat sheet or write them on the board for students to refer back to as they read.
- To make connections to climate change, teachers can review with students the importance of trees, especially old-growth forests, in the sequestration of carbon. This video may be a helpful resource to present this concept.
- Teachers can use this resource to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 15, Life on Land.
From the scientist review
This resource details how global tree cover data was filtered to create a clear picture of deforestation in Madagascar. Throughout, focus is placed on understanding deforestation in order to inform conservation efforts. The article is exceptionally well-sourced, with several peer-reviewed articles linked in the text. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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