Global Warming, Extreme Weather, and Succession

Global warming, or climate change is a universally accepted truth among most scientific researchers. However, there remains some debate when particular weather events are linked directly to global warming. Hurricanes have received most of the attention both in the scientific community and among ordinary citizens. Hurricane Katrina triggered many to link hurricane intensity to global warming, but others continue to seek more evidence. This unit will introduce Hurricane Katrina as an extreme weather event, identify the links that exist between global warming and stronger hurricanes, and outline the strategies taken by ecological systems to rebuild and re grow through the process of biological succession. Students will receive information directly, conduct independent research, and participate in peer discussion groups in order to develop their own hypothesis as to the relationship between global warming and hurricanes. Students will also become aware of the increased stress that frequent and more intense hurricanes place on natural systems.


Unit Overview:
Global warming, or climate change is a universally accepted truth among most scientific researchers. However, there remains some debate when particular weather events are linked directly to global warming. Hurricanes have received most of the attention both in the scientific community and among ordinary citizens. Hurricane Katrina triggered many to link hurricane intensity to global warming, but others continue to seek more evidence. This unit will introduce Hurricane Katrina as an extreme weather event, identify the links that exist between global warming and stronger hurricanes, and outline the strategies taken by ecological systems to rebuild and re grow through the process of biological succession. Students will receive information directly, conduct independent research, and participate in peer discussion groups in order to develop their own hypothesis as to the relationship between global warming and hurricanes. Students will also become aware of the increased stress that frequent and more intense hurricanes place on natural systems.
Unit Outline
Part I: Introduction of Louisiana wetlands and predictions of Hurricane Katrina Teacher Instructions Louisiana Wetlands Presentation Student Activity: Graphic Organizer Assessment: Quiz Teacher Resource Links National Geographic US Geological Survey - Marine & Coastal Geology We Are Losing Our Wetlands PBS News Hour Hydrolic Alternations of Wetlands About Marshes
Part II: Is Global Warming Causing Extreme Weather? Teacher Instructions Hurricane Katrina Presentation Teacher Resource: Web quest Student Activity: Web quest Assessment: Quiz Teacher Resource Links How Global Warming Works NOAA Global Hazards/Extremes Environmental Defense Fund
Part III: Succession and the Effects of Hurricanes Teacher Instructions Succession Presentation Student Activity: Succession Following a Hurricane Assessment: Quiz Teacher Resource Links Wikipedia Hurricane Andrew Effects of a Hurricane
Additional Resources Key Terms Unit Assessment References
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Janette Karn & Jocelyn Miller LFSC 665 Ecology & Global Change The University of Maryland November 14, 2008