Survival Skills-Response of Organisms to Climate Change

Survival Skills-Response of Organisms to Climate Change Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity to analyze the distribution of beetle, mammal, and plant species (for datasets from North America) in the past (based on fossil records), determine whether the same species exist today, and compare the past and present geographic ranges and ecosystems of these species. Students […]

Squirrel Species Distribution and Climate Change

Squirrel Species Distribution and Climate Change Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom/laboratory activity to examine and analyze squirrel species distribution and habitat data (from the USA) over time, and to interpret the possible relationship between climate change and changes in biodiversity. Students will analyze data for past and modern squirrel populations and habitats, and will then interpret […]

Natural Selection and Climate Change

Natural Selection and Climate Change Video A video that shows that climate change can be a selective pressure in natural selection that can lead to the ‘evolutionary rescue’ of a species. Students will learn about the Snowshoe hares in North America. They will understand how reduced snowfall due to a warming climate can behave as […]

Natural Selection and Evolutionary Rescue of a Species

Natural Selection and Evolutionary Rescue of a Species Reading A reading that shows that climate change can be a selective pressure in natural selection. It explains how the selection of a character that provides an adaptive advantage in a changed environment, leads to the ‘evolutionary rescue’ of a species. Students will learn about Snowshoe hares […]

Adaptation or Plasticity?

Adaptation or Plasticity? Reading An article on the difference between evolutionary adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. This article by the University of California Museum of Paleontology and the National Center for Science Education highlights various factors, such as natural selection and developmental changes amongst others, which play a role in determining how organisms respond to a […]

Evolutionary Adaptation in Response to Climate Change

Evolutionary Adaptation in Response to Climate Change Video A video that briefly describes evolutionary adaptations in animals due to climate change. This video by educator, Erin Eastwood, for TED-Ed introduces the topic of evolutionary adaptation and how animals are forced to evolve to changed environments caused by climate change. Students will learn how climate change […]

Move, Adapt or Die

‘Move, Adapt or Die’ Reading A reading that discusses different aspects of evolutionary adaptations to climate change in animals. This reading by Renee Cho, Earth Institute, Columbia University, uses various examples to showcase how animals adapt to climate change and how a warming climate forces animals to ‘move, adapt or die’. Students will learn about […]

Natural Selection and Climate Change

Natural Selection and Climate Change Overview As a high school or undergraduate, Biological Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to teach about natural selection, its role in evolution and climate change as a selective pressure in natural selection. This lesson plan will enable the students to understand Darwin’s theory of natural […]

Climate Change and Reproductive Fitness in Red Deer

Climate Change and Reproductive Fitness in Red Deer Overview As an Undergraduate Biological Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer based tools to enable students to develop a comprehensive understanding about how vertebrate populations of red deer (Cervus elaphus) show evolutionary responses in terms of reproductive fitness to climate change. Through this lesson […]