Objectives: Students will understand
how scientists classify habitats and map vegetation zones.
Related Web-Activity: Rooted
In
Subjects: Geography, Ecology, Biology,
Geography
ELRS:Mathematics 1.3, 5.2; Science
1.3; Geography 1.1
Size: Groups and individuals
Setting: Outside
Duration: One class period
Materials: White paper (preferably
large), coloring materials, and a printed copy of the vegetation
map and elevation
map for each group.
Procedure
Have each student group decide where they will draw a segment on
their vegetation map. An example is available in Zone
into Life. The end points of the segment should begin and end
on a map color (the shorter the segment, the better). Place the
elevation map on top of the vegetation map and trace the segment
to the elevation map. They will need to study the information available
for each of their colors (life zones) or you can discuss the life
zones of North Cascades as a class.
 Students
should illustrate a vertical profile of their segment. The topography
should roughly match the topography on their printed copy. Exact
replications are not possible with the map available. Have them
stress precipitation distribution in their drawings rather than
representing the exact species that live in the various zones. Their
vertical profile should include as many environmental characteristics
as they can imagine: shrubs, trees, animals, snow, water, birds,
rocks, clouds, rain, etc.
The groups may then cut their vegetation and elevation segments
out and paste them to their drawings. Post all illustrations on
the wall and have each group explain their illustration to the class.
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