Combating Desertification-Saving Our Topsoil
Through an experiment, students learn what desertification is, where it occurs, why it occurs, and how it is linked to climate change.
Discipline
Earth and Space Sciences
Lesson Keywords
Desertification
Agriculture
Farming
Management
overgrazing
Tillage
Soil Degradation
Human Impact
Soil Conservation
Next Generation Science Standards
| Grade |
Discipline |
Core Idea |
|
3-5
|
ESS3.A: Natural resources
|
Energy and fuels humans use are derived from natural sources and their use affects the environment. Some resources are renewable over time, others are not.
|
|
3-5
|
ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
|
Societal activities have had major effects on the land, ocean, atmosphere, and even outer space. Societal activities can also help protect Earth's resources and environments.
|
|
3-5
|
ESS3.D: Global climate change
|
N/A
|
|
6-8
|
ESS3.A: Natural resources
|
Humans depend on Earth's land, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere for different resources, many of which are limited or not renewable. Resources are distributed unevenly around the planet as a result of past geologic processes.
|
|
6-8
|
ESS3.C: Human impacts on Earth systems
|
Human activities have altered the biosphere, sometimes damaging it, although changes to environments can have different impacts for different living things. Activities and technologies can be engineered to reduce people's impacts on Earth.
|
|
6-8
|
ESS3.D: Global climate change
|
Human activities affect global warming. Decisions to reduce the impact of global warming depend on understanding climate science, engineering capabilities, and social dynamics.
|
