Description
Watch these short videos, and then answer question 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFYDlTr3Lws
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkAW8dx9fzw
https://naaee.org/eepro/learning/eelearn/what-is-ee/lesson-4/animation
1. After watching the short videos listed above, describe/define environmental literacy in your own words. How do you interpret what it encompasses? How is it taught? Why is it important?
Now I want you to explore a bit of the natural history of our region.
2. Using high-quality/scientific resources (such as the IDNR, Wildflower.org, the Field Museum, etc.) research 3 plants that are native to the northeastern Illinois region.
- Describe what the plants look like, their general lifecycle (including if they are biennial, perennial, or annual), and their preferred habitat range.
- Describe the plant/animal interactions for each plant.
- Does it serve as a host plant to any species? If so, how many?
- Is it a keystone species? If so, why is it considered this?
- Describe in your own words what you feel its ecological importance is within our local ecosystem.
3. Using high-quality/scientific resources (such as The Cornell Lab, Audubon, eBird, IUCN, etc), research 3 birds that are native to our region.
- Describe the bird, including its range, general lifecycle, preferred habitats, and any migration patterns. Also include what the bird eats at the different stages of its lifecycle (newly hatched vs adult).
- Describe how stable the population of each bird is. (Is it stable, declining, or increasing)
- Describe in your own words what you feel its ecological importance is within our local ecosystem.
4. Reflect briefly on what you learned in this activity. Now that you are familiar with the terminology, do you feel you are environmentally literate, or is there room for improvement? Is nature/the environment a theme that comes up frequently in your life, or is this something that could merit more of your attention going forward?
I WILL BE SHOWING YOU EXAMPLES AS WELL OF OTHER STUDENTS.... NO PLAGARISM!
Explanation & Answer
View attached explanation and answer. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Environmental Literacy Assignment
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Instructor’s Name
Date
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Environmental Literacy Assignment
Environmental literacy is the process of acquiring skills that motivate a person to
make decisions that are considerate to the environment. This helps an individual to appreciate
the natural system and act in a way that creates a relationship that is mutually beneficial to
the environment. In turn, this creates a sustainable relationship between people and nature
and helps to conserve the environment for future generations to enjoy its benefits. The best
way to teach environmental literacy is to let learners interact with nature. This may entail
taking a walk in the forest or visiting the wild. It also entails experiencing the negative aspect
by letting learning see what would happen if the environment is not protected. Environmental
literacy is important as it makes the learner understand and appreciate the crucial role played
by the environment. Natura sustains life on earth. Once people understand how the
environment plays a crucial role in sustaining life, they will take measures to protect it
(Brereton, 2020).
Research on 3 plants that are native to the northeastern Illinois region
Speckled Alder Alnus incana var rugose
(https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYLA3)
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Speckled Alder draws its name from its stems that appear speckled, have horizontal
heavily lined lenticels. They are perennial and bloom from March to May.
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Their preferred habitats are around water bodies, on the wet field margins, and swales.
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The shrub is considered invasive in some soil types and should not be planted in wide
areas. On the other hand, the plant is a food source for animals like the elk and deer,
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and its leaves, buds, and twigs are eaten. Its seeds are also eaten by small mammals
and birds.
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The shrub is considered a keystone species since it helps balance the ecosystem in
flood plains. It is also a nitrogen fixer. This plant is crucial to the local ecosystem
since it is a nitrogen fixer and a source of nutrients.
New Jersey Tea Ceanothus americanus
(https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYLA3)
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New Jersey Tea is a deciduous shrub with white and greyish flowers. It grows to a
length of 3 feet. Also, it is perennial and blooms in the summer. It is drought-resistant
and grows in sunny areas with well-drained soils
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The plant has no animal interaction and does not support wildlife and is considered
invasive to other plants. Therefore, the plant is not yet a keystone species. However,
research is being conducted on its viability as a medicinal plant.
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The ecological importance of New Jersey tea stems from its aesthetic qualities as a
plant that makes the environment look beautiful.
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum
(https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYLA3)
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The Sugar Maple is a shade-tolerant tree with fall color and can reach heights of 115
feet. Its leaves undergo seasonal color changes from yellow, to orange, and green.
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It grows well in swampy areas or bottomland soils, and upland soils. The tree is
perennial.
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Sugar Maple has little plant interaction. However, it has significant animal interaction
as its bark, twigs, buds, and seeds are a source of food.
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Its leaves are toxic to some anim...
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