Rainforest Challenge WebQuest

 

 

Introduction

The findings at the recent Kyoto conference highlighted the need for an urgent assessment of the world's rainforests. Accordingly a world conference has been convened in Helsinki. The aim of the conference is to discuss the current state of rainforests. As an expert in your field you have been invited to present a paper at this conference. You will then assist in the development of an educational package for young people which will inform them about the issue of deforestation and what actions they, as individual global citizens, can take to better manage the world's rainforests. 

 

Task

 Your team consists of a:
  Meteorologist
  Greenpeace researcher
  Biologist
  Yanomani tribe member
  Pharmaceutical company representative

Each member of your team will be assigned one of the roles above. Your task is to research the current state of rainforests from the perspective of your assigned role. You will then develop a (500 word) report to present at the conference. Your group will then reconvene and draw a mind-map that outlines the current threats to rainforests. Lastly, you will each design a brochure which will be part of an educational package for young people.


 

The process

Step 1.

The first step is to assign the above roles. Read the brief on your assigned role by clicking on the name of that role. You must understand the nature of your job and present your findings from that perspective.

Step 2.

Use the brief and suggested sites to locate and select information which will assist you to write your report. Take notes as you go and don't be afraid to use sites not listed. 

Step 3.

Write a 500 word report to present at the conference. Use the Report Scaffold to help you.

Step 4.

Your team will then reconvene to share your knowledge. As a team draw a mind-map that outlines the current threats to rainforests.

Step 5.

Individually design a  brochure, which will be part of an educational package for young people (10 - 15 years) explaining the importance of rainforests, why they are at risk, and what actions, they as individual global citizens, can take to better manage the world's rainforest ecosystem. 

Meteorologist

Your field of study is concerned with the conditions of the atmosphere, especially in order to forecast the weather.

You should be asking the following sorts of questions to guide your research:

  • In what climates are tropical rainforests found?
  • What role do rainforests play in regulating global climate? 
  • What effect has rainforest destruction had on global climates to date?
  • What is global warming and how is rainforest destruction      contributing to this phenomenon?
  • What other factors contribute to global warming?
  • What proof is there that temperatures are rising?
  • Why should we be concerned about rising sea levels?

The following internet sites may help you in your research:

http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/rainffclim.html 

http://www.mongabay.com/external/Deforestation_Affects_Climate.htm 

http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/rainforest_climate_students.htm 

http://climate.nms.ac.uk/science/science_Far_Away/science_Far_0.html 

http://www.davesite.com/rainforests/review5.shtml

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

Greenpeace Researcher

Greenpeace is an independent organisation campaigning to ensure a just, peaceful, sustainable environment for future generations. 

You should be asking the following sorts of questions to guide your research:

  • What is the current state of the world's rainforests (Where are they; how large is the area covered, etc)?
  • How have rainforests changed from 100 years ago?
  • What has caused the decline of the world's rainforests?
  • Is there a link between population growth and rainforest  destruction?
  • What is meant by the term sustainable agriculture?
  • What is the Kyoto Protocol and which have countries have signed it?

The following internet sites may help you in your research:

www.greenpeace.org.au

http://www.davesite.com/rainforests/review4.shtml

http://www.davesite.com/rainforests/review5.shtml

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

http://www.eduweb.com/amazon.html

http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/enter.html

http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/

http://passporttoknowledge.com/rainforest/main.html

http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm

 

Biologist

Your field of study is concerned with the study of living organisms, including their structure, functioning, distribution and interrelationships.

You should be asking the following sorts of questions to guide your research:

  • What is biodiversity?
  • How does deforestation impact on biodiversity?
  • What species are endangered?
  • What effect does deforestation have on rainforest soils/habitats?

The following internet sites may help you in your research:

http://www.davesite.com/rainforests/review5.shtml

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/

http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/teacher_levels.html#aa

http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm

http://passporttoknowledge.com/rainforest/main.html

http://www.rainforesteducation.com/

 

Yanomani tribesman

You are concerned with ensuring that the culture and livelihood of the indigenous people who live in rainforests throughout the world is not put at risk.

You should be asking the following sorts of questions to guide your research:

  • In what ways do indigenous people use the rainforests?
  • What has happened to their rainforests?
  • What is shifting cultivation?
  • What is cash cropping?

The following internet sites may help you in your research:

http://www.davesite.com/rainforests/review5.shtml

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

http://www.eduweb.com/agriculture/ag1.html

http://www.eduweb.com/agriculture/comag.html

http://www.amanakaa.org/

http://www.amanakaa.org/yanomami/about.htm

http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/

http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm

Pharmaceutical company representative

Pharmaceuticals are drugs and as a company representative  you are concerned with ensuring a continued source of raw materials for these drugs. You are also interested in other economic uses of rainforests such as industrial products and mining.

You should be asking the following sorts of questions to guide your research:

  • What resources do we get from rainforests?
  • Are there many of these resources left?
  • Can we use the rainforest resources without destroying the rainforests?
  • Are natural medicines more effective than traditional medicines?

 

The following sites may help you:

http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/rainffmedfood.html 

http://www.ran.org/info_center/factsheets/05f.html 

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/

http://www.rain-tree.com/plants.htm

http://www.rainforesteducation.com/medicines/RFMedicines/medicines1.htm

http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm

http://www.rainforesteducation.com/

 

 

SCAFFOLD FOR CONFERENCE REPORT ON RAINFORESTS

 

Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

INTRODUCTION: Describe briefly the current state of the world's rainforests from your perspective.

 

 

DESCRIPTION of first aspect:

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION of second aspect:

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION of third aspect:

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION of fourth aspect:

 

 

 

CONCLUSION: Summary of current state of the rainforest from your perspective.