Aquatic Invasive Species in the Crown of the Continent: GIS Lessons for High School Science Education
Menicke R. Aquatic Invasive Species in the Crown of the Continent: GIS Lessons for High School Science Education. 2014
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native organisms that can be introduced to freshwater systems, frequently transported by humans and carried on infected boats brought from areas where those species occur. AIS pose a significant ecological and economic threat to freshwater resources within the Crown of the Continent ecosystem in Montana, where currently (2014) the most dangerous AIS species have yet to be introduced. The lesson is meant to be an early point of entry in the use of ArcGIS software for high school students. The lesson objective is to have students working collaboratively in groups of 2-3 use existing data to analyze existing AIS management efforts and then develop a map using ArcGIS software that shows existing AIS check stations in and adjacent to Glacier National Park, located at the core of the CoC ecosystem. The map includes overlays showing roads, lakes, streams, and administrative boundaries. Students will be led through basic ArcGIS functions and asked to answer relevant geographic or science-based questions as they progress.
- Type
- Project
- Authors
- Menicke, Richard
- Units
- CRCO , GLAC
- Keywords
- aquatic invasive species, bull trout conservation, Geographic Information Systems, GIS, Natural Resource Management, science education