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Database Provider

Author

TED-Ed

Grades

6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th

Subjects

Science, Social Studies, Biology, History, Health

Resource Types

  • Videos, 5 minutes, 26 seconds, CC, Subtitles
  • Articles and Websites
  • Interactive Media

Regional Focus

North America, United States, USA - West, USA - South, USA - Northeast, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Oregon, Willamette Valley / Portland Metro, New York, New York City, Georgia

Format

Google Slides

What Happens If We Cut Down All of a City’s Trees?

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Synopsis
  • This animated video begins by comparing two ancient civilizations and explains why trees are crucial to humans in urban settings.
  • Students will learn how trees filter water, store excess stormwater, filter pollutants from the air, stabilize soils, absorb and store carbon dioxide, provide shade to buildings and sidewalks, provide mental health benefits, and provide habitat to many species.
  • The video mentions NYC, Portland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Uruk, Anuradhapura, and other cities.
Teaching Tips

Positives

  • This easy-to-understand video describes the benefits of trees that students may not be familiar with. It provides real-world examples from human history.
  • Students can test their comprehension of the video with the interactive questions in the Think section and participate in guided discussions in the Discuss section.
  • The Dig Deeper section provides students with an article that contains links for further exploration.

Additional Prerequisites

  • Students should have some knowledge of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Differentiation

  • History classes could use this video to open up a discussion about resource use in ancient civilizations. Students could discuss how different civilizations used ecosystem services.
  • Elementary science classes could make a list of the benefits that trees provide to people, animals, and the ecosystem.
  • Other resources on this topic include this video unit on urban trees, this Ecosia video about the benefits of trees, and this SubjectToClimate game on urban tree planting.
Scientist Notes
The resource underscores the arboreal benefits of trees in urban spaces to mitigate climate change impacts, reduce pollution, and improve air and water quality. The resource is valid and recommended for teaching.
Standards

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

  • Social Studies
    • U.S. History: America in the World - Geography, People, and the Environment
      • 6.1.12.GeoHE.5.a: Generate/make an evidence-based argument regarding the impact of rapid urbanization on the environment and on the quality of life in cities.
  • Science
    • ESS2: Earth's Systems
      • 5-ESS2-1. Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.
      • HS-ESS2-2. Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.
    • LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
      • 5-LS2-1. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
      • MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
      • HS-LS2-4. Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystem.
      • HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
      • HS-LS2-6. Evaluate claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
      • HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
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