A Flame Changer – Vol. 1 No. 25
The second monograph in Natural Inquirer’s Pollinators series, this monograph explores the connection between fire and native insect pollinators. In the welcome essay, students will learn about the variety of native bee species in the United States as well as ways that they can help protect native pollinators. Students will also learn about fire-adapted open forest ecosystems, like those of loblolly and longleaf pine in the southeastern United States.
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Highlights
- 1 Article
- 3 Scientists
- 2 Activities
- Glossary
- How You Can Help Native Pollinators
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Open forest ecosystems, like those of longleaf pine or loblolly pine, are managed with regular fires to support native plants and biodiversity. The scientists in this study were interested in...A Flame Changer – How Fire Diversity Affects Bee and Butterfly Populations
Open forest ecosystems, like those of longleaf pine or loblolly pine, are managed with regular fires to support native plants and biodiversity. The scientists in this study were interested in...
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A school in your area wants to create a pollinator garden. They want their pollinator garden to do two things: 1. Provide a healthy habitat for native insect pollinators. 2....FACTivity – A Flame Changer
A school in your area wants to create a pollinator garden. They want their pollinator garden to do two things: 1. Provide a healthy habitat for native insect pollinators. 2.... -
After reading “A Flame Changer,” test your knowledge with this eyeChallenge. Each image is from the article; can you explain what each one represents?eyeChallenge – A Flame Changer
After reading “A Flame Changer,” test your knowledge with this eyeChallenge. Each image is from the article; can you explain what each one represents?
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When you think of bees, you may first picture the European honey bee. However, at least 4,000 other bee species live in the United States. Unlike social honey bees, many...Spotlight – Native Bees
When you think of bees, you may first picture the European honey bee. However, at least 4,000 other bee species live in the United States. Unlike social honey bees, many... -
This fact sheet explains the fire triangle and three types of fire found in the forest: ground fire, surface fire, and crown fire.Spotlight – Fuels and Fire Fact Sheet
This fact sheet explains the fire triangle and three types of fire found in the forest: ground fire, surface fire, and crown fire.
Glossary
View All GlossaryClassroom Review Board
Ms. Howell’s 7th Grade Science Class
- West Jackson Middle School
Editorial Review Board Comments
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Conor Fair
I enjoy my field research because I have the opportunity to observe the natural beauty of the field sites. Field work can often be physically demanding, but finding time to...View Profile -
Scott Pokswinski
My favorite science experience was working on large-scale research burns. First of all, it is a blast to see the work of managing prescribed fire on a large scale, and...View Profile -
Michael Ulyshen
My favorite science experience was collecting insects in French Guiana while I was in graduate school. French Guiana is a small South American country to the north of Brazil. To...View Profile
Standards addressed in this Monograph:
Next Generation Science Standards
- ESS3.C-M1Human activities have significantly altered the biosphere, sometimes damaging or destroying natural habitats and causing the extinction of other species. But changes to Earth’s environments can have different impacts (negative and positive) for different living things.
- ETS1.B-H1When evaluating solutions it is important to take into account a range of constraints including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics and to consider social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
- ETS1.B-M1A solution needs to be tested, and then modified on the basis of the test results, in order to improve it.
- ETS1.B-M2There are systematic processes for evaluating solutions with respect to how well they meet criteria and constraints of a problem.
- ETS1.B-M3Sometimes parts of different solutions can be combined to create a solution that is better than any of its predecessors.
- ETS1.C-H1Criteria may need to be broken down into simpler ones that can be approached systematically, and decisions about the priority of certain criteria over others (trade-offs) may be needed.
- ETS1.C-M1Although one design may not perform the best across all tests, identifying the characteristics of the design that performed the best in each test can provide useful information for the redesign process—that is, some of the characteristics may be incorporated into the new design.
- HS-LS2-7Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
- HS-LS4-6Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.
- LS1.B-M1Organisms reproduce, either sexually or asexually, and transfer their genetic information to their offspring.
- LS1.B-M2Animals engage in characteristic behaviors that increase the odds of reproduction.
- LS2.A-H1Ecosystems have carrying capacities, which are limits to the numbers of organisms and populations they can support. These limits result from such factors as the availability of living and nonliving resources and from challenges such as predation, competition, and disease. Organisms would have the capacity to produce populations of great size were it not for the fact that environments and resources are finite. This fundamental tension affects the abundance (number of individuals) of species in any given ecosystem.
- LS2.A-M1Organisms, and populations of organisms, are dependent on their environmental interactions both with other living things and with nonliving factors.
- LS2.A-M2In any ecosystem, organisms and populations with similar requirements for food, water, oxygen, or other resources may compete with each other for limited resources, access to which consequently constrains their growth and reproduction.
- LS2.A-M3Growth of organisms and population increases are limited by access to resources.
- LS2.C-H1A complex set of interactions within an ecosystem can keep its numbers and types of organisms relatively constant over long periods of time under stable conditions. If a modest biological or physical disturbance to an ecosystem occurs, it may return to its more or less original status (i.e., the ecosystem is resilient), as opposed to becoming a very different ecosystem. Extreme fluctuations in conditions or the size of any population, however, can challenge the functioning of ecosystems in terms of resources and habitat availability.
- LS2.C-H2Moreover, anthropogenic changes (induced by human activity) in the environment—including habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, overexploitation, and climate change—can disrupt an ecosystem and threaten the survival of some species.
- LS2.C-M1Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.
- LS2.C-M2Biodiversity describes the variety of species found in Earth’s terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems. The completeness or integrity of an ecosystem’s biodiversity is often used as a measure of its health.
- LS4.C-H5Species become extinct because they can no longer survive and reproduce in their altered environment. If members cannot adjust to change that is too fast or drastic, the opportunity for the species’ evolution is lost.
- LS4.D-H2Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also having adverse impacts on biodiversity through overpopulation, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Thus, sustaining biodiversity so that ecosystem functioning and productivity are maintained is essential to supporting and enhancing life on Earth. Sustaining biodiversity also aids humanity by preserving landscapes of recreational or inspirational value.
- MS-ESS3-3Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
- MS-ETS1-2Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- MS-LS2-1Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
- MS-LS2-4Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
- MS-LS2-5Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Project Learning Tree
If you are a trained Project Learning Tree educator, you may use “Charting
Diversity,” “Web of Life,” “Are Vacant Lots Vacant?,” and “Nothing Succeeds Like Succession” as additional resources.
Related Resources from The Natural Inquirer
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Lawns are a common sight in the United States. The scientists in this study found previous research showing that lawns mowed frequently or treated with chemicals had limited flowering plants...The Bee Frequency: How Does Lawn Mowing Affect Bee Populations?
Lawns are a common sight in the United States. The scientists in this study found previous research showing that lawns mowed frequently or treated with chemicals had limited flowering plants... -
The scientists in this study were interested in looking at how prescribed fire affects longleaf pine forests and their ability to store carbon. The scientists also wanted to know how...Knock on Wood: Understanding the Relationship Between the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, Longleaf Pine, Fire, and Carbon
The scientists in this study were interested in looking at how prescribed fire affects longleaf pine forests and their ability to store carbon. The scientists also wanted to know how...
Additional Resources
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"State-wide bee conservation strategy blooms in Washington"
Bumblebees play an essential role in maintaining the stability and diversity of ecosystems through pollination; unfortunately, eight species in Washington are considered rare and at risk. To protect these vital insects, partners formulated and adopted a new conservation strategy across the state to promote proactive conservation actions for rare or sensitive species.Read Article -
USDA Forest Service: Conservation Education
Through Conservation Education, the Forest Service provides a variety of educational resources and programs for individuals of all ages to learn about the environment and our nation’s forests and grasslands. Through these hands-on, interactive learning opportunities, students, educators, and parents can explore how to become a responsible steward of our natural resources. There are also a variety of resources for teachers and parents to engage youth in environmental education and for exploring careers in conservation.Visit Website -
FIND Outdoors
Our story is rooted in education about the forest. Our passion is to help people become inspired. Our goal is to help people connect with nature. Our drive is to help people learn through discovery. Through forest-inspired nature discovery, we help people FIND Outdoors.Visit Website