As an undergraduate Biological Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to teach about differences in photosynthesis in different types of plants (C3, C4 and CAM) and how they are affected by climate change: which is more resilient or less resilient. You can discuss all these basic concepts in plant physiology using the case study: Uganda’s massive expansion of Bamboo, a C3 plant, to address the issue of heavy deforestation, under changing climatic conditions.
This lesson plan includes resources that teach about the C3, C4 photosynthetic pathways in plants and describes the differences in their physiological responses to changing environmental conditions like rising atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and temperatures. You can also use these resources to teach photorespiration, nutrient and water uptake, stomatal conductance, carbon -fixation and, more importantly, homoeostasis for photosynthetic efficiency under these varying conditions. Use this lesson plan to explain how this understanding can be applied to devise climate adaptation strategies by using the example of large-scale Bamboo plantation in Uganda.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Biological Sciences (specifically Plant Physiology).
A video micro-lecture that introduces the C3, C4 photosynthetic pathways and explains how plants have evolved to respond differently to changing climatic conditions.
Two readings that describe the photosynthetic responses of plants to factors of climate change:
A readingto discuss the difference in the responses of C3 and C4 plants to rising levels of atmospheric CO2.
A readingto describe the differences in temperature adaptation and acclimation for the C3, C4 photosynthetic pathways.
Readings (10 min)
Two readings to discuss the extensive planting of a C3 plant Bamboo, in Uganda:
1) A case study of Bamboo For Good (B4G) initiative that has program partnerships in Uganda and other East African Countries for growing Bamboo to address ‘critical social, economic, environmental, and wildlife habitat needs’.
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Introduce the topic by playing the video micro-lecture, “Photosynthesis” from bozemanscience. This video explains the process of photosynthesis, chloroplasts and photoreceptors, the light reaction and the Calvin cycle, and gives an overview of photosynthetic pathways in C3, C4, and CAM plants.
Use the video to explain how these pathways are affected by stomatal conductance, which in turn affects nutrient and water uptake by the plants.
Further, explain the influence of photorespiration on photosynthetic efficiencies and thereby, carbon fixation in C3, C4 plants- use the resource, ‘C3, C4, and CAM plants. How the C4 and CAM pathways help minimize photorespiration.’ by Khan Academy, from the additional resources section, to explain this in detail.
Step 2: Extend discussion to explain how the C4/CAM plants have evolved in response to climate change (Go to the Video)
Play the video micro-lecture, ‘Plant Response to Climate Change’ by Prof. Raghu Murtugudde (content developed at Science Media Centre, IISER Pune), to explain that C3 and C4 type plants evolved differently as a response to changes in temperature and CO2
This micro-lecture explains the possible influence of CO2 levels and climate change on the growth of plants and consequently on vegetation and crop productivity.
Step 3: Further the understanding of the effect of climate change on the photosynthetic efficiencies of plants
Provide your students with printouts of the following readings to discuss the influence of climate change related factors- increased atmospheric CO2 and rising global temperatures-on the photosynthetic efficiencies of C3 and C4 plants.
Use this reading to discuss plant phenotypic plasticity, temperature acclimation and temperature adaptation in terms of photosynthetic efficiencies of C3 and C4 plants.
Discuss this in conjunction with the perceived improved photosynthetic efficiency of C3 plants at higher temperatures compared to C4 plants.
Step 4: Discuss the case study of Bamboo Plantation in Uganda
Two readings to discuss the extensive planting of a C3 plant Bamboo, in Uganda:
Use the resource, ‘B4G- Bamboo For Good’ by Pacific Bamboo Resources, to discuss the case study of a collaborative effort of a number of public and private institutions to ‘mobilize bamboo resources for good’ in East Africa and specifically in Uganda.
Navigate to various tabs on the website to learn more about the partnership programs in Uganda that work towards ‘social empowerment, economic vitality, and environmental health’ through its different projects.
Use this table- Table 3. Bamboo attributes for climate change, page 28- from ‘The poor man’s carbon sink: Bamboo in Climate Change and Poverty Alleviation’ by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), to discuss the attributes of Bamboo as the plant chosen to provide a fast growing and sustainable green cover to restore the human-induced fragmented forest ecosystems of Uganda.
In the context of this lesson plan, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using Bamboo as a climate adaptation strategy against deforestation in Uganda.
Elaborate on the possibility of improved photosynthetic efficiency of this species under increased temperature and atmospheric CO2 conditions.
Discuss how this contrasts with its sensitivity towards water stress and drought like conditions, the other aspects of climate related factors that impact photosynthetic efficiencies of C3 plants.
Use the resources (one video and one reading) in the additional resources section of this lesson plan to discuss the benefits of using Bamboo to restore vegetation in large areas of Uganda that are denuded of natural forest cover due to deforestation by anthropogenic activities.
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation :
What are C3, C4, and CAM plants? Describe the differences in their photosynthetic pathways.
Describe what factors have the most impact on the photosynthetic efficiencies of C3, C4 and CAM plants.
How global warming and higher CO2 concentrations may affect the growth and development of C3, C4 and CAM plants?
Explain physiological limitations in C3, C4 and CAM plants to adapt to climate change.
How is a C3 plant Bamboo, suited to restore the fractured forest ecosystems of Uganda?
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
discuss the differences in C3, C4 and CAM plants
explain the evolution of C4, CAM plants in response to climate change
explain the impact of environmental variations on photosynthetic efficiencies in C3, C4 plants
describe how climate related factors affect photosynthesis in plants
discuss the role of Bamboo in restoring the denuded forest vegetation in Uganda
If you or your students would like to explore the topic further, these additional resources will be useful.
1
Reading
A reading, ‘C3, C4, and CAM plants: How the C4 and CAM pathways help minimize photorespiration’ by Khan Academy, to explain photorespiration in plants and to describe how this affects the photosynthetic efficiencies of C3, C4 and CAM plants.
1. A video, ‘Ugandan environmentalists plant over 11,000 bamboo seedlings’ by CGTV Africa, to show Uganda’s efforts to combat deforestation in a changing climate using Bamboo:
2. A reading, ‘Climate Change and Biodiversity in Uganda’ (Section 4.3, page 17) by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), that includes bamboo planting in Uganda as a climate resilient ecosystem:
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
