Last updated: October 18, 2021
Lesson Plan
Population of Great Blue Heron in Curecanti
- Grade Level:
- High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- Additional Standards:
- Next Generation Science Standards: HS-LS2-1 and HS-LS2-2
Essential Question
What factors influenced the great blue heron population living in Curecanti Recreation Area between 1989 and 2019?
Objective
Students will analyze data on the great blue heron population to determine limiting factors and carrying capacity of the nesting sites.
NGSS Standards:
HS-LS2-1 Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.
HS-LS2-2 Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.
Background
Data for this lesson was collected at the McCabe wetlands in the Curecanti National Recreation Area from 1989-2019. The early data was collected by a citizen scientist who shared his data with the National Park Service (NPS). The later data was collected by NPS staff. During the time of data collection, 3 main nest sites were observed, with some of the birds nesting in a 4th site after one site was abandoned. Natural predators in the area include red-tailed hawks, golden and bald eagles, and great horned owls. Also noted was an increase in human activity near the nesting sites, as the land was further developed for agriculture. At this time, it is still unknown what caused the nesting sites to become unproductive in the mid-1990s.
Preparation
Have computers available for online research. Have printed or digital copies of the student worksheet.
Materials
Student worksheet for the lesson titled "Population of Great Blue Heron in Curecanti."
Download Student Worksheet: Population of Great Blue Heron in Curecanti
Teacher Guide for the lesson titled "Population of Great Blue Heron in Curecanti."
Download Teacher Guide: Population of Great Blue Heron in Curecanti
Excel file showing a data table with the year, number of nests, number of nests with young, as well as the total number of young blue herons. Use this file as an extension activity for your students to create their own graphs and analyze the data.
Download Excel File: Population of Great Blue Heron in Curecanti
Lesson Hook/Preview
Have students look at the graph. What do they notice about the data? What questions do they have about the data? Collect answers in a way that can be displayed throughout the activity.
Procedure
Have them conduct the research and data analysis questions.
When they have read the journal entry by Ron Meyer, ask if this answered any of their questions from the initial data or brought up new questions. Have the students fill out the table on limiting factors and answer the next set of questions.
When they get to the extension questions, discuss how real science often gives messy data without clear answers. This may be different from the textbook data they are used to seeing.
For the citizen science questions, you may have students go to the link below and find a citizen science project in a national park, national monument, historic site, recreation area, or byway near them.https://www.nps.gov/subjects/citizenscience/index.htm
Vocabulary
To complete this lesson, students should be familiar with the terms limiting factor, carrying capacity, density dependent factor, and density independent factor.
Enrichment Activities
Design a citizen science project for your students in your community. Contact your local agency (national park, national forest, state park, and parks and wildlife) to see if there are projects you can help with or to ask what type of data the agency would like to have. Many great public land projects, like the study at McCabe wetlands, started with concerned citizens conducing citizen science!
Additional Resources
For additional information on great blue herons, nesting habits, habitats, and how the National Park Service helps protect these birds, see the following webpages.
Audubon Society
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/great-blue-heron
Gulf Islands National Seashore
https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/nature/blueheron.htm
Big Thicket National Preserve
https://home.nps.gov/bith/learn/nature/great-blue-heron.htm
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
https://home.nps.gov/articles/000/great-blue-herons-in-cuyahoga-valley.htm