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March of the Polar Bears: Global Change, Sea Ice, and Wildlife Migration | 
Image courtesy USGS
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Purpose:
Students will use NASA satellite data to study changes in temperature and snow-ice coverage in the South Beaufort Sea, Alaska, correlate with USGS ground tracking of polar bears, and relate this to global change, sea ice changes, and polar bear migration. |
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Grade Level: 7 - 10 |
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Estimated Time for Completing Activity: Two 50-minute class periods
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Learning Outcomes:
- Students will analyze maps and time series data to understand changes.
- Students will construct data-based explanations and conclusions.
- Students will better understand global change through a local case study.
- Students will consider the impact of environmental changes on wildlife.
- Students will consider the impact of human activities on life and the Earth.
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National Standards:
- Geography: Environment and Society
- Geography: Places and Regions
- Math: Data Analysis and Probability
- Science Content: D Earth and Space Science
- Science Content: C Life Science
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AP Environmental Science Topics
- Atmosphere-ocean interactions
- Climate shifts
- Endangered species
- Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect
- Impacts and consequences of global warming
- Maintenance of biodiversity through conservation
- Ocean circulation
- Reducing climate change
- Species movement
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Virginia Standards of Learning:
- ES.1c: The student will plan and conduct investigations in which scales, diagrams, maps, charts, graphs, tables, and profiles are constructed and interpreted.
- ES.2a: The student will demonstrate scientific reasoning and logic by analyzing how science explains and predicts the interactions and dynamics of complex Earth systems.
- LS.12: The student will investigate and understand the relationships between ecosystem dynamics and human activity.
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Prerequisite
- Familiarity with locating places on maps using latitude and longitude
- Familiarity with understanding color palettes on maps and reading line plots
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Tools
- Computer with Internet Access
- Color printer (optional)
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Vocabulary: |
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Lesson Links:
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Background:
The polar regions of the Earth (Arctic and Antarctic) have the most extreme climates on Earth with temperatures usually well below freezing all year. The Arctic polar region is mainly sea ice floating upon the Arctic Ocean, whereas the Antarctic region is a continent with permafrost, glaciers and surrounding sea ice.
Scientists expect and are observing that global warming due to the increase of greenhouse gases will first impact the polar regions and the expanse of sea ice. Even a few degrees increase in temperatures will cause sea ice to break away and float into warmer waters. The melting of polar sea ice not only will prompt climate and weather changes, but it will also impact the ecosystem in the Arctic.
Local impacts are already being seen in the study of the polar bear habitat, diet and migration patterns. In this lesson, you will explore the changes in temperature and sea ice coverage in the South Beaufort Sea, north of Alaska. You will then consider how the changes you observe in the data may affect the migration of polar bears in the region. |
Procedure:
Part I: Examine the first three Lesson Links to learn about polar bears, their habitat and migration patterns. Discuss as a class what you have learned about polar bears and the Arctic climate.
Part II: Using the Live Access Server lesson link, you will construct four pieces of data to help you analyze trends in the Arctic.
MAP 1: Monthly Near Surface Air Temperature Difference (June 2005-June 1995)
1. Select Atmosphere, Atmospheric Temperature, Monthly Near Surface Air Temperature (ISCCP). Click Next.
2. Click the Compare Two blue tab on the left menu bar.
3. Select view and output options: Longitude-Latitude Map (xy), Difference plot.
4. Select region: Lat 50 N to 78 N, Long 168 W to 142 W
5. Select time: Variable 1 - June 2005, Variable 2 - June 1995
6. Click Next to get output window. Be sure pop-up blockers are turned off.
MAP 2: Monthly Snow-Ice Percent Coverage Difference (June 1995-June 2005)
1. Repeat above procedure (steps 1 - 6), instead selecting Cryosphere, Monthly Snow-Ice Amount (ISCCP). To better view differences, use option Color Fill levels (-100)(-50,50,5)(100).
PLOT 1: Monthly Near Surface Air Temperature Time Series (June 1995- June 2005)
1. Select Atmosphere, Atmospheric Temperature, Monthly Near Surface Air Temperature (ISCCP) again. Click blue tab for Single data set.
2. Select view and output: Time Series (t), Line Plot.
3. Select location: Lat 74 N, Long 156 W
4. Select Time range: Start - June 1995, End - June 2005
5. Evaluate expression (variable - 273) to convert from degrees Kelvin to Celsius. See help button for assistance.
6. Click Next to view output.
PLOT 2: Monthly Snow-Ice Percent Coverage Time Series (June 1995-June 2005)
1. Repeat above procedure (steps 1 - 4, 6), instead selecting Cryosphere, Monthly Snow-Ice Amount (ISCCP). |
Questions:
1. Which year is warmer in the South Beaufort Sea region, 1995 or 2005? How many degrees warmer?
2. Which year has more snow-ice amount in the same region? By how much?
3. Using the line plots, examine the seasonal oscillations of the variables. Do you see any trends in the line plots?
4. Write a paragraph describing your findings and conclusions using the data results.
5. Would you expect to see any impact on the habitat and migration of polar bears based on your conclusions?
6. How will the changes that you study affect the people of Northern Alaska and Western Canada?
7. Do you think there is a global change trend or just a local random variation? Why? |
Extensions:
1. Choose another animal species and consider the effects of climate change on their natural habitat and migration patterns.
2. Collect news articles and prepare a television news report to explain what is happening in the Arctic or Antarctic regions due to global warming. |
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Lesson plan contributed by Venugopal Bhat, Seattle, Washington
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Click here for Teachers Notes |
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