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Survey Methods

Launch Interactive
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
Favorited By
24 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.
Details
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

This resource and the accompanying documents comply with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 06.09.16
Date Updated 01.22.21
Curriculum Connections
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 (2013)

II.A, II.C, III.A, VII.C

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

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HHMI BioInteractive

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