A pinyon tree sits on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
NPS/Michael Quinn, CC BY 2.0
Pathway Summary
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
This pathway begins with students exploring changes to the pinyon-juniper woodlands on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. They examine images of tree stands taken over several years, as well as aerial satellite images showing changes in tree cover. Students notice that pinyon and juniper trees have been dying, which could have significant implications for other plants and animals that depend on the woodlands.
Investigate lessons
Through investigations into climate and weather data, as well as ecosystem interactions, students observe that pinyon jays are also declining due to the loss of their food sources. They learn that the Grand Canyon region is experiencing more extreme droughts and higher average temperatures. Students also connect these changes to family stories and personal experiences with the shifting landscape.
Synthesize lesson
Students organize the evidence they have gathered and construct an explanation about the cause of pinyon-juniper decline. They also consider whether rising temperatures are occurring only in the Grand Canyon or more broadly across other regions.
Phenomenon
Pinyon trees are declining in the Grand Canyon.
Community
The Grand Canyon is a river valley in the Colorado Plateau, a large elevated area in the Southwestern United States. The Grand Canyon is geographically and ecologically diverse with up to 8000 ft in elevation change from the river to its highest point. Throughout the Grand Canyon, pinyon-juniper woodlands are found between 4500 and 7500 feet of elevation. Pinyon-juniper woodlands have experienced plant and animal abundance changes, driven by the decline of both pinyon and juniper trees. Relatedly, the Grand Canyon is also experiencing longer and more severe droughts and higher average temperatures.
Materials Available
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
2 Investigate lessons
1 Synthesize lesson
Key Features
Rural
High-desert
Family connection
Educator Insight
Teacher: Forrest Radarian
Why I chose this phenomenon
The pinyon-juniper vegetation type is the major landscape my school and the students' community are located. We are facing a large die-off of trees due to primary and secondary climate change factors, which my students could directly relate to.
How my students responded
My students connected personally with loss of trees they see daily in their community. They were excited to use camera programs that allowed them to analyze greater changes across the ecosystem over time. For some, the changes we studied were directly tied to family stories about how they've seen the landscape change, offering greater personal connections.
