Birds and Climate Change: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

• This 7-page scientific paper outlines how climate suitability is predicted to change for bird species at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area based on high-emissions and low-emissions models. 

Positives

• The information in the tables is simple to understand, using terms like worsening, improving, or stable, which makes it more comprehensible for students.
• There is a graph that nicely summarizes the data and will allow students to visualize the results.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• This is a dense and technical paper that could be difficult for younger students.
• Students should be familiar with the basics of ecology like climate suitability, species distribution, species colonization, and species extirpation.
  

Differentiation

• Biology classes could use this paper when discussing ecology, ecosystems, migration, colonization, extinctions, species turnover, habitat loss, and population dynamics.
• The paper will likely be challenging for students, so teachers should consider reading it as a class, or having students work in groups with vocabulary terms defined.
• Other resources related to birds include this guide to birds in NJ, this video about the endangerment of the NJ state bird, and this interactive map of Migrations in Motion.
  
• Some resources more generally related to species distribution and climate change include the article Humans Just 0.01% of All Life but Have Destroyed 83% of Wild Mammals, and the video Biogeography: Studying the Distribution of Species Across Space.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.