Wildfires and Climate Change: Erasing Western Forests Permanently
Provided by: Grist|Published on: April 27, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Nathanael Johnson
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > California, North America > United States > Colorado, North America > United States > Montana, North America > United States > New Mexico
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article describes ecological shifts that are occurring in the Western United States, where pine forests are being replaced by shrubs and grasses, particularly after forest fires.
- Specific examples of this shift in vegetation are identified in many states, citing scientific studies from a number of universities.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The images in the article are striking and help students see exactly what the author is talking about.
Prerequisites
- It might be helpful to introduce a map of the United States to show students where the article is referencing.
- Discussing normal conditions (where fires help forests regenerate) might help students see the impacts of climate change on these ecosystems.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Science classes could use this article to help illustrate the negative changes happening to forest ecosystems due to global warming and climate change.
- Social studies classes could discuss the ramifications on human communities if wildfires burn hotter and forests are replaced by grasslands.
- Students can researched the traditional ecological knowledge of prescribed burns.
This resource is an article that examines evidence that, due to recent climate changes, wildfires that would have previously left enough trees alive to regrow forests are now killing entire forests in such a way that regrowth is no longer possible. Several examples of forest ecosystem collapse are described with examples pulled from recent science publications and interviews with scientists. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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