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Survey Methods

Start Interactive
Image from the film of a survey plane flying over land.

Topic

  • Ecology
  • Populations
  • Environmental Science
  • Conservation
  • Science Practices
  • Experimental Design

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
41 Users
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Description

This interactive module explores methods used to survey large animal populations, and what they have revealed about the current state of the African elephant population.

African elephants provide a powerful case study for how science can inform conservation. Knowing how many elephants are left and where they live is important in devising strategies to protect them. In this Click & Learn, students consider the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and approaches that scientists use to measure and monitor elephant populations.  

The accompanying worksheet guides students’ exploration.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Explain why elephants are considered a keystone species.
  • Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different survey methods.
  • Describe changes in the range and size of African elephant populations.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

acoustic survey, aerial survey, dung, elephant, field ecology, keystone species, population, sample, species range, transection

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Interactive media meets criteria.

Version History

Date Published 06.09.16
Date Updated 01.22.21

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2.C, HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6, HS-LS4.D, HS-LS4-5; SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-4.B, ENE-4.C, SYI-1.G, SYI-3.F, SYI-3.G; SP4, SP5

IB Biology (2016)

C.1, C.3, C.4, C.5

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.7, 3.2, 9.10
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.I, ERT-3.B, EIN-4, SP1, SP4, SP5, SP6

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.1, 3.3, 3.4

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7, WHST.9-12.1
Math.A-REI.3; MP2, MP3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP2

Materials

Download Resource Google Folder (link)
Download Student Worksheet (PDF) 281 KB

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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By: BioInteractive
HHMI BioInteractive
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