Does Human Population affect Wildlife?
Developed by:  Tanya Lange

Summary:

Miller Springs is a protected wildlife area. At one time, this wetland area was in danger. A conservation and education movement transformed this area into the Miller Springs Alliance. Since, the wildlife is slowly returning. How does this environment compare to your own?

Connections:

    1. Ecology
    2. Animal Survey
    3. Plant Survey
    4. Nature Observations

Time:

    1. A two or three day trip to Miller Springs.
    2. Two or three, eighty-minute classroom periods.

Season:
Any, weather permitting.

Materials:

    1. Observation journal.
    2. Backpack and GPS.
    3. Plaster of paris
    4. Binoculars and field guides.
    5. Poster board strips with paper clips (ground molds)
    6. Digital camera
    7. Map of Miller Springs
    8. Bulletin board devoted to the progression of Modules 1-4.

Objectives:

    1. Make and record observations for any wildlife in a selected area of Miller Springs.
    2. Make and record observations of tree populations. (Use the information sheet from module 3)
    3. Students will draw conclusions from Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 regarding how human population may affect eco systems.

Procedures:

    1. Organize students into job groups.
      1. Bird watchers – to observe and identify birds.
      2. Ground watchers – to watch ground and bushes and identify "critters".
      3. Location plotters – to record locations.
      4. Evidence gatherers – take pictures, gather samples, make track casts…
    2. Explain jobs to each group and show them how to use their designated equipment and field guides. (1 class period)
    3. Take the groups to Miller Springs and allow them to perform their tasks.
    4. When students get back to campus, allow ample time for them to organize their information into table, charts, groups, graphs etc.
    5. Analyze all of the information from Modules 1-4 and discuss the analysis in groups. As a class, compare neighborhood eco systems to that of Miller Springs eco system.
    6. Have students write a final conclusion on whether or not humans influence eco systems. They must discuss what evidence they have gathered to support their conclusions. They must cite information they have researched from Modules 1-4 as evidence.

Questions:

    1. What types of footprints did you identify?
    2. What other kinds of evidence did you find to show that wildlife was in the area? (Droppings, nests, feathers, bones, footprints, etc.)
    3. Observation charts: What did you observe?

Expanding the Lesson:

Use the data gathered from Modules 1-4 to create maps in Arc view.

Resources:

Website: Miller Springs Nature Center

www.http://bellnetweb.brc.tamus.edu/millerspring/

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Last Edited: 09/01/00