Ecology Mapping
Students will learn about some of the basic techniques of mapping ecological data and the roles of citizen scientists in ecological conservation.
What You Need
A computer with stable internet connection is required.
Guide:
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe delivery of outreach to youth.
What To Do
Pre-activity:
- Facilitators should familiarize themselves with the workshop content by reviewing the Ecology Mapping Activity Overview and following along with the training video, Ecology Mapping Workshop.
Activity:
- Learners can work independently or in pairs.
NOTE! If working in pairs, ask the educator to help pair learners together.
2. Pairs login into Google My Maps on their device.
3. Using the document, Ecology Mapping Activity Overview, demonstrate to learners how to import data, customize the style of their map and share their map on their Google My Maps.
NOTE! If hosting the session virtually, you can use the Ecology Mapping Workshop video to supplement the live instruction, or screen-share and walk-through the activity with learners.
4. Incorporate discussion throughout the activity about the importance of living safely amongst wildlife and the impacts of human evolution and development on wildlife habitats.
5. Learners should share their maps with others, once complete, recapping the information they’ve learned.
Discovery
Data collection is extremely important and has many valuable uses. Ecological maps are used to visually represent social and environmental relationships between people and the natural world. This allows for deeper understanding of the presence of various species and interactions with humans.
Learning how to create ecological maps that are easy to read and accessible by others is an important tool. Creating ecological maps allows us to better understand the relationships between various species and people, which can lead to protecting species, improving human/wildlife conflicts, developing sustainable outcomes, and helping to protect the environment from whatever ecological crises we are facing.
To further explore human/wildlife relationships, check out the Fish Population hands-on-activity.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are calls to action to make the world a better place. It calls to ”protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity.” If there is time available, encourage students to visit the United Nations website to learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ecology Mapping Workshop Video
Ecology Mapping - Activity Overview
This activity was developed and submitted by Toronto Metropolitan University, in collaboration with SciXchange, which they adapted from Google Earth Outreach: Visualize your data on a custom map using Google My Maps: https://www.google.com/earth/outreach/learn/visualize-your-data-on-a-custom-map-using-google-my-maps/#import-your-data-1
What's Happening?
Data collection is extremely important and has many valuable uses. Ecological maps are used to visually represent social and environmental relationships between people and the natural world. This allows for deeper understanding of the presence of various species and interactions with humans.
Why Does It Matter?
Learning how to create ecological maps that are easy to read and accessible by others is an important tool. Creating ecological maps allows us to better understand the relationships between various species and people, which can lead to protecting species, improving human/wildlife conflicts, developing sustainable outcomes, and helping to protect the environment from whatever ecological crises we are facing.
Investigate Further
To further explore human/wildlife relationships, check out the Fish Population hands-on-activity.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are calls to action to make the world a better place. It calls to ”protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity.” If there is time available, encourage students to visit the United Nations website to learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals.
Resources
Ecology Mapping Workshop Video
Ecology Mapping - Activity Overview
This activity was developed and submitted by Toronto Metropolitan University, in collaboration with SciXchange, which they adapted from Google Earth Outreach: Visualize your data on a custom map using Google My Maps: https://www.google.com/earth/outreach/learn/visualize-your-data-on-a-custom-map-using-google-my-maps/#import-your-data-1