Ecosystem Restoration: Oak Savanna
Shown is a restored oak savanna in Central Iowa. Restoration is land stewardship practice of returning land to it's original, undisturbed features.
Location
Metro Waste Authority Environmental Learning Center, Runnells, Iowa
Driving Question
- How have humans impacted ecosystems?
Probing Questions
- Why is an oak savanna an important ecosystem?
- How can we maintain the diversity of an ecosystem?
Classroom Suggestions
Students could:
- Research areas where an ecosystem was restored and create a presentation.
- Create a prairie area at your school.
- Create a partnership between your classroom and your county conservation or DNR officer to help with ecosystem restoration at a county or state park.
Resources
- Oak Savannas: This website describes characteristics, restoration and long-term management of oak savannas.
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) | Iowa Burr Oak Savana Project: This brochure provides information on the Iowa Bur Oak Savanna Project.
Iowa Core Alignment
HS-LS2-7:Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity
Credit Info
Submitted by Karla St. John and Amber Fairbanks as part of their Iowa STEM Teacher Externship experience at Iowa PBS.
Location courtesy of Metro Waste Authority.
Media produced by Iowa PBS.
Funding for Iowa Science Phenomena provided by:
