What You Will be Learning in this Unit
You will learn about trees as individual plants and as part of a forest ecosystem. By examining local species, you learn to recognize the characteristics of different trees and develop skill in describing and interpreting the structural features of trees. As part of your studies, you will learn about a broad range of living things found on, under and around trees and study the complex interaction between trees and the larger environment. In examining human use of forests, you will become aware of a broad range of environmental issues and develop an awareness of the need for responsible use.
General Learner Expectations
Describe characteristics of trees and the interaction of trees with other living things in the local environment.
Describe characteristics of trees and the interaction of trees with other living things in the local environment.
Specific Learner Expectation
1. Identify reasons why trees and forests are valued. Students meeting this expectation should be aware that forests serve as habitat for a variety of living things and are important to human needs for recreation, for raw materials and for a life supporting environment.
2. Describe kinds of plants and animals found living on, under and among trees; and identify how trees affect and are affected by those living things.
3. Describe the role of trees in nutrient cycles and in the production of oxygen.
4. Distinguish trees from other plants, and characteristics that distinguish deciduous from coniferous trees.
5. Characteristics of at least 4 trees found in the local environment. 2 Deciduous and 2 Coniferous trees.
Spruce, birch, poplar, and pine, cultivated species such as elm and crab apple.
6. Leaf shapes, leaf arrangements, branching patterns and the overall form of a tree.
7. Interpret the growth of a young tree, examine each year’s growth, locate scars that separate old and new growth.
8. Identify human uses of forests, and compare modern and historical patterns of use.
9. Identify human actions that enhance or threaten the existence of forests.
10. Identify an issue regarding forest use, identify different perspectives on that issue, and identify actions that might be taken.
1. Identify reasons why trees and forests are valued. Students meeting this expectation should be aware that forests serve as habitat for a variety of living things and are important to human needs for recreation, for raw materials and for a life supporting environment.
2. Describe kinds of plants and animals found living on, under and among trees; and identify how trees affect and are affected by those living things.
3. Describe the role of trees in nutrient cycles and in the production of oxygen.
4. Distinguish trees from other plants, and characteristics that distinguish deciduous from coniferous trees.
5. Characteristics of at least 4 trees found in the local environment. 2 Deciduous and 2 Coniferous trees.
Spruce, birch, poplar, and pine, cultivated species such as elm and crab apple.
6. Leaf shapes, leaf arrangements, branching patterns and the overall form of a tree.
7. Interpret the growth of a young tree, examine each year’s growth, locate scars that separate old and new growth.
8. Identify human uses of forests, and compare modern and historical patterns of use.
9. Identify human actions that enhance or threaten the existence of forests.
10. Identify an issue regarding forest use, identify different perspectives on that issue, and identify actions that might be taken.