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NJ Forest Adapt

Provided by: Rutgers University |Published on: April 27, 2021

Graphs/Tables

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Synopsis

This map portal provides information about forests in New Jersey, climate conditions, climate-associated risks to forests, species distributions, and how conditions might change in the future using two different IPCC emissions scenarios.
There are nine different map themes to choose from, with a description of each provided.

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Authors: Rutgers University

Region: New Jersey

Languages: English

Positives

This resource offers a wide variety of data categories to explore.
Students can select specific counties and municipalities to view local data.
Students can save maps by clicking the green "Save This Map" button in the top right-hand corner.

Prerequisites

Some of the maps use the term "RCP" which stands for Representative Concentration Pathway, or greenhouse gas concentration projections. The two scenarios are based on the IPCC estimates for a moderate effort to reduce emissions and a business-as-usual scenario.
Some of the maps use the term "BA" which stands for basal area, a measure of a forest's tree volume and growth.
Students will need to click on the "Legend" button located in the top right-hand corner of the screen to display the map legend.
Because the map portal has so many functions and types of data, teachers should be familiar with the resource before using it in class.

Differentiation & Implementation

For less advanced classes, teachers could present the maps on a smart board and walk students through the data.
Biology classes could use the "Species Distribution & Future Projections" map to see how different tree species will be affected by climate change. Classes could discuss how the changes in tree species will cause other changes in the ecosystem.
Other resources on this topic include this video from the World Resources Institute on how satellite data can be used to monitor the world's forests, this article that explains the value of forests as carbon sinks, and this video that shows the role of forests in protecting biodiversity.

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All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.

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