Ecosystem Services Assessment

• In this outdoor activity, students assess and investigate ecosystem services provided by nature in an outdoor environment. 

Positives

• There is no better way for students to observe, describe, and discover ecosystem services of an area than engaging in an outdoor activity.
• Students will gain a better understanding of ecosystem services because they can touch, feel, and hear what they are learning about.

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers will need to print the handouts for students.
• Classes will need access to an area outside to observe the environment.

Differentiation

• As an extension, students can complete the table in Part 3 for a second area in the community and present it to their classmates.
• This activity can be used as a final activity for a unit on ecosystems.
• Students can be challenged to identify or predict the effects of climate change on ecosystem services in the area where they conducted this activity.
• Other recommended resources include Ecosystem Services Bingo and Forests Near or Far Can Protect Water for Cities.

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