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Wildebeest Populations

Photo of wildebeest on the Serengeti plain
Topic
  • Ecology
  • Populations
  • Ecosystems
  • Science Practices
  • Graph Interpretation
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Phenomenal Images
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
9 Users
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Description

This activity explores an image of a wildebeest herd on the Serengeti, which serves as a phenomenon for learning about population dynamics and wildlife management.

In the 1960s, the wildebeest population in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, began increasing at a rate much faster than before. Scientists determined that this increase was due to several factors, including the eradication of a disease called rinderpest. This image shows part of the Serengeti wildebeest herd, which is now the largest herbivore herd on Earth.
 
The “Educator Materials” document includes background information and implementation suggestions for using the image as a phenomenon. The “Student Handout” includes the image and background information.

Student Learning Targets
  • Examine images of phenomena, make observations, and ask questions.
  • Collaborate with peers on ideas, ask questions that require higher levels of reasoning, and develop deeper understanding of concepts.
  • Explain how factors such as resource availability and disease can affect population size.
     
Details
Estimated Time
Within one 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

exponential growth, logistic growth, population dynamics, rinderpest, Serengeti National Park, wildlife management

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Accessibility Level

The documents for this resource meet accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 01.30.20
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-1, HS-LS2-6

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-4.B, SYI-1.G, SYI-2.B; SP3

IB Biology (2016)

4.1, C.1, C.2, C.5

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.A, III.A

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.1, 2.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9–12.9 

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP1

Materials
Image (JPG) 343 KB
Educator Materials (PDF) 431 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 500 KB
Use This Resource With
Video Resource
Serengeti: Nature’s Living Laboratory

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