Lesson Plan: Evergreen West Virginia

Goal

Students will develop an understanding of the distinguishing characteristics and ecosystem services provided by two important evergreen tree species in West Virginia. Students will evaluate the threats posed by human impacts on evergreen ecosystems, such as the introduction of HWA on hemlock populations, as well as efforts to conserve them.

Related WV Science CSOs

S.6.LS.2  Students will evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

S.6.LS.7  Students will construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

S.7.ESS.7  Students will apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.

S.8.LS.2  Students will construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.