Sustainable development of forest ecosystems
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Introduction
Students develop an understanding of the social, economic and environmental value of forest ecosystems and discuss the positive and negative impacts of different management approaches for the sustainable development of forest ecosystems. They decide on the most appropriate management strategy giving reasons for their decision.
This activity focuses on the geographical concepts of place, space, interconnection, sustainability and change.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 10, students explain how the interactions of people and environmental processes at different scales change the characteristics of places. They explain the effects of human activity on environments, and the effect of environments on human activity, over time. They evaluate the implications of a distribution. They evaluate the extent of interconnections occurring between people and places and environments. They analyse changes that result from these interconnections and their consequences. Students evaluate strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge, using environmental, social and economic criteria.
Students develop a range of relevant questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge. They collect, represent and compare relevant and reliable geographical data and information by using a range of primary research methods and secondary research materials, using appropriate formats. They interpret and analyse data and information to make generalisations and predictions, explain significant patterns and trends, and infer relationships. They draw evidence-based conclusions, based on relevant data and information, about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge. They develop and evaluate strategies using criteria, recommend a strategy and explain the predicted impacts. Students use geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and digital tools as appropriate to develop descriptions, explanations and responses that synthesise research findings.
Content descriptions
Geographical Knowledge and Understanding
The human-induced changes that challenge the sustainability of places and environments. (AC9HG10K01)
The environmental world views of people and their implications for environmental management. (AC9HG10K02)
Geographical Inquiry and Skills
Develop and evaluate strategies using environmental, economic or social criteria; recommend a strategy and explain the predicted impacts. (AC9HG10S05)
Create descriptions, explanations and responses, using geographical knowledge and geographical tools as appropriate, and concepts and terms that incorporate and acknowledge research findings. (AC9HG10S06)
Student learning resources
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Forest ecosystems and sustainable development
Approaches to sustainable development of forest ecosystems
Writing paragraphs in Geography
Writing essays
Suggested activity sequence
This sequence is intended as a framework to be modified and adapted by teachers to suit the needs of a class group. If you assign this activity to a class, your students will be assigned all student resources on their 'My learning' page. You can also hand-pick the resources students are assigned by selecting individual resources when you add a work item to a class in 'My classes'.
- As a class read the explainer. As you read, support student comprehension by asking questions such as:
- What is the economic function of forests?
- What is the sink function of forests?
- What is the source function of forests?
- What is the service function of forests?
- What is the spiritual function of forests?
- What is the human impact on forests?
- What is the government function?
- Discuss the social, economic, and environmental value of forest ecosystems.
- Use a grouping strategy to organise students into groups of 6.
- As a class, discuss each management strategy listed on the evaluation table and emphasise the need to consider that people may have a range of perspectives on each management option.
- Each group discusses the positive and negative social, economic and environmental impacts of different management approaches for sustainable development of forest ecosystems.
- Students record their ideas by completing the evaluation table for each management strategy.
- Students decide on the most appropriate management strategy for attaining sustainable development of forest ecosystems giving reasons for their decision.
- Students share their decision with the rest of the class.
- Depending on their levels of readiness, students either:
- Write one or 2 paragraphs identifying and explaining their choice of the most appropriate management strategy for attaining sustainable development of forest ecosystems.
Refer students to Writing paragraphs in Geography – Model.
Or - Write an essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy and arguing for the most effective strategy.
Refer students to Writing essays – Template and Writing paragraphs in Geography – Model.
- Write one or 2 paragraphs identifying and explaining their choice of the most appropriate management strategy for attaining sustainable development of forest ecosystems.