Ecosystem Services Assessment

• In this outdoor activity, students assess and investigate ecosystem services provided by nature in an outdoor environment. 

Positives

• There is no better way for students to observe, describe, and discover ecosystem services of an area than engaging in an outdoor activity.
• Students will gain a better understanding of ecosystem services because they can touch, feel, and hear what they are learning about.

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers will need to print the handouts for students.
• Classes will need access to an area outside to observe the environment.

Differentiation

• As an extension, students can complete the table in Part 3 for a second area in the community and present it to their classmates.
• This activity can be used as a final activity for a unit on ecosystems.
• Students can be challenged to identify or predict the effects of climate change on ecosystem services in the area where they conducted this activity.
• Other recommended resources include Ecosystem Services Bingo and Forests Near or Far Can Protect Water for Cities.