Resources for Activity 3: Mapping the World's Forests

Overview:

Identifying, documenting, classifying, and accurately mapping the diversity of forests
found around the world is an active, ongoing process. A holistic system of global ecological zones related to simple, well-known climate characteristics and vegetation types is now used to classify the world’s forests. In this activity, students will examine this system to see how temperature and moisture determine the type of forest in a given locale.

Student Pages
E-Zones
Extreme Journeys
Forest Type Inventory

California Student Maps: For a local example of how topography, precipitation and climate can affect vegetation types, have a look at these California maps and the 6 study questions that accompany them.

Powerpoints
Activity 3: Mapping the World's Forests

Earth & Sky Radio Correlations
This activity can be supplemented with related Earth & Sky radio shows that you can download for use in your classroom. Learn about the PLT and Earth & Sky Initiative.

Related Earth & Sky Shows:
 - Don’t Count on Forests to Keep Us Cool  
 - Ancient Climate Change Made Plants Shift Range   
 - Forest Service Scientists High in the Trees - NPR Radio Show 
 - Sally Collins, with an Overview of U.S. Forests in the Early 21st Century


Additional Resources:
Global Ecological Zones - This FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Webiste reviews the global Ecological Zones in terms of climate, physiography and vegetation.  Maps and tables show the distribution of the Ecological Zones by region and area statistics are summarized. Details on current land use are also provided.