This lesson introduces high school students to changing environmental conditions in local ecosystems through rangeland monitoring. Students investigate both natural and human pressures on local species and perform species density calculations using the LandPKS Vegetation Module.

Essential questions this lesson plan explores: 

• How do ecosystems change over time? 
• What effect do humans have on the environment? 
• What makes a species threatened or endangered? 
• How might a species adapt to a changing environment?

Download the lesson plan for “Using LandPKS for Rangeland and Species Monitoring: Changing Ecosystems.”

See the “Using LandPKS for Rangeland Monitoring: Soil, Grazing, and Rangeland Management” lesson plan.

This lesson plan was developed by the Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) as part of their EARTH Academy program for high school students in the San Joaquin Valley. It uses the LandPKS Vegetation Module to teach students how to perform species density calculations for the threatened Striped Adobe Lily (Fritillaria striata). This program originally took place at the Lewis Hill Preserve in Tulare County, CA.

EARTH Academy aims to bring more outdoor education to area schools. Using science education with an emphasis on the environment and the outdoor world, EARTH Academy prepares students for real careers. Learn more about EARTH Academy and the LandPKS collaboration with EARTH Academy.