Birds and Climate: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades9, 10, 11, 12Biology
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by National Park Service
What it is
- 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.
Teaching tips
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.
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 & Implementation
- 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.
From the scientist review
This resource underscores the spatial distributions of bird species in relation to climate change in the Recreation area of Delaware. The RCP 2.6 model is able to project sensitivity and suitability of species under a changing climate scenario. The attributions, adjustments, observatory techniques and 10x10m resolution used are appropriate methods to measure climate suitability, spatial distributions of species, and the potential bird turnovers accurately. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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