Chapter 2: Water, Climate, and Vegetation "The Destruction of the Rain Forest"

Introduction

Students have read about the earth's climate and vegetation zones. One of these zones, the rain forest, is being destroyed at a rapid rate. Scientists believe that the destruction of the rain forest is leading to global warming and the extinction of hundreds of plant and animal species.

Lesson Description

Students will visit the Rainforest Action Network Web site. This site contains a variety of fact sheets on different aspects of the rain forest and its destruction. They will browse various fact sheets and find the answers to questions about the rate of deforestation as well as steps they can take to make a difference.

National Geography Standards:
Standard 8: The geographically informed person knows and understands the characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface.
Standard 14: The geographically informed person knows and understands how human actions modify the physical environment.
Standard 16: The geographically informed person knows and understands the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources.
Standard 18: The geographically informed person knows and understands how to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future.

Instructional Objectives

1. The student will be able to describe actions that can be taken by average citizens to bring about change in the destruction of the rain forest.
2. The student will be able to identify places on Earth where rain forests are located.
3. The student will be able to describe some of the effects of deforestation in the rain forest.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. reduce your paper and wood consumption, reduce your oil consumption, reduce your beef consumption, hold businesses accountable, invest in rainforest communities, support the "Grassroots," join Rainforest Action Network
2. less than 2 percent; 2.4 acres per second
3. Côte d'Ivoire (15.6%)
4. Some causes of extinction are habitat destruction, introduced species, over-consumption, and international trade.
5. Students' posters will vary depending on which species was chosen.

Go to Student Web Activity