Animals and Ecosystems of the Southwestern United States Investi-gator (Rocky Mountain Research Station) – Vol. 3 No. 1
Investi-gator is a sister publication to Natural Inquirer, serving students in grades 4 or higher. In this Investi-gator edition, you will learn many interesting facts about the Southwestern United States. In “That’s a Humdinger!,” you will discover what happens to hummingbird nesting following different kinds of forest-related treatments. In “By the Light of the Silvery Minnow,” you will find out whether a small minnow can learn to find natural foods. Without success, this minnow might one day disappear. You will learn how climate change might affect 30 different animal species in the article entitled, "Wild Ways." Some of these species are already in danger of extinction.
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Highlights
- 6 Articles
- 9 Activities
- Lesson Plan
- Glossary
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Many different types of birds live in riparian forests. In this study, the scientists were interested in black-chinned hummingbirds that live in riparian forests. The scientists wanted to know if...That’s a Humdinger! Black-Chinned Hummingbird Nesting in Response to Forest Treatments
Many different types of birds live in riparian forests. In this study, the scientists were interested in black-chinned hummingbirds that live in riparian forests. The scientists wanted to know if... -
Many changes have occured in the Rio Grande since the 1940s that have created a river that is deeper and faster. This has created problems for the Rio Grande silvery...By the Light of the Silvery Minnow: Can Young Minnows Be Taught About Their Natural Foods?
Many changes have occured in the Rio Grande since the 1940s that have created a river that is deeper and faster. This has created problems for the Rio Grande silvery... -
Identifying which species may be the most vulnerable to a changing climate is important. This information can help people make decisions about how to best manage the land. It can...Wild Ways: Assessing How Climate Change May Affect Certain Wildlife
Identifying which species may be the most vulnerable to a changing climate is important. This information can help people make decisions about how to best manage the land. It can... -
The scientists in this study were interested in comparing the water use efficiency of trees. They wondered if the water use efficiency of trees growing away from intermittent and ephemeral...Streaming Live: How Do Streams Affect How Well Trees Use Water?
The scientists in this study were interested in comparing the water use efficiency of trees. They wondered if the water use efficiency of trees growing away from intermittent and ephemeral... -
Plague is an infectious disease that is transmitted to other mammals by fleas. Prairie dogs are particularly susceptible to plague. The scientists in this study were interested in figuring out...Prairie Dog Days: How Fleas Transmit the Plague and its Effects on Gunnison’s Prairie Dog
Plague is an infectious disease that is transmitted to other mammals by fleas. Prairie dogs are particularly susceptible to plague. The scientists in this study were interested in figuring out... -
National forests and national grasslands are managed for all United States citizens. Parts of these forests and grasslands, however, may be leased to individuals and companies. Some individuals and companies...The Lands of Time: Understanding Land Grants in New Mexico
National forests and national grasslands are managed for all United States citizens. Parts of these forests and grasslands, however, may be leased to individuals and companies. Some individuals and companies...
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The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What species of birds are found living in my schoolyard? You will act as an ornithologist while learning to identify birds...FACTivity – That’s a Humdinger!
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What species of birds are found living in my schoolyard? You will act as an ornithologist while learning to identify birds... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How are diatoms important parts of an ecosystem? In this FACTivity you will create your own model of a diatom. Materials:...FACTivity – By the Light of the Silvery Minnow
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How are diatoms important parts of an ecosystem? In this FACTivity you will create your own model of a diatom. Materials:... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How might climate change affect species in my state? Materials: Access to the internet or field guides to research local animalsFACTivity – Wild Ways
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How might climate change affect species in my state? Materials: Access to the internet or field guides to research local animals -
In this FACTivity, you will explore a range of instruments used by scientists. You will then use your imagination to create instruments that measure a range of classroom variables. The...FACTivity – Streaming Live
In this FACTivity, you will explore a range of instruments used by scientists. You will then use your imagination to create instruments that measure a range of classroom variables. The... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How does the decline of prairie dogs affect the prairie food web? Materials: Ecosystem Food Web handout (included) Pencil An extension...FACTivity – Prairie Dog Days
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How does the decline of prairie dogs affect the prairie food web? Materials: Ecosystem Food Web handout (included) Pencil An extension... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How is the current situation in the southern African nation of Botswana similar to and different from the historic land grant...FACTivity – The Lands of Time
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How is the current situation in the southern African nation of Botswana similar to and different from the historic land grant... -
After reading the Southwestern United States Investi-gator, explain or write what you see in each photo and how the photo relates to the article in which it was found.eyeChallenge – Southwestern United States Investi-gator
After reading the Southwestern United States Investi-gator, explain or write what you see in each photo and how the photo relates to the article in which it was found. -
After reading the Southwestern United States Investi-gator, test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle.Crossword – Southwestern United States Investi-gator
After reading the Southwestern United States Investi-gator, test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle. -
After reading the Southwestern Investi-gator, try out a mapping activity. Can you match each photo with its map? A graphic organizer is included to help explain your matches.Map Activity – Southwestern United States Investi-gator
After reading the Southwestern Investi-gator, try out a mapping activity. Can you match each photo with its map? A graphic organizer is included to help explain your matches.
Glossary
View All GlossaryClassroom Review Board
Mr. Barela’s 5th Grade Homeroom Class
- Pecos Elementary School
- Pecos, NM
Editorial Review Board Comments
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Sharon Coe
I have had wonderful experiences doing science outdoors. One of my favorite experiences was studying a bird. I studied mountain chickadees in a forest in the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra...View Profile -
Deborah Finch
“One of my favorite science experiences was collecting bird and small mammal data on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in Oregon and Idaho. While I was there, I lived in a...View Profile -
Paulette Ford
“I like being a scientist because I love to read, write and explore. My research is really exciting to me, and I look forward to it every day. Holding small...View Profile -
Megan Friggens
My first favorite science experience was taking a 10-day field trip to Belize as part of a college tropical biology class. Belize is in Central America. This trip was my...View Profile -
Kenneth Gage
My favorite science experience happened while working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I was traveling to a remote village in the Andes Mountains of Peru. An outbreak...View Profile -
Darin Law
My favorite science experience was completing a native and exotic grass study within the University of Arizona Biosphere 2. Biosphere 2 is a research facility where scientists perform experiments. Biosphere...View Profile -
Hugo Magaña
My favorite science experiences are teaching about photosynthesis and studying food webs. In this photo, I was collecting algae from which I would later create pure diatom cultures. Diatoms are...View Profile -
Alice McSweeney
My favorite science experience is talking with ranchers to learn how they teach their children about the land and animals. I also love working on my family’s guest ranch in...View Profile -
Bob Parmenter
“[One of] my favorite science experience[s] has been working on the Mount St. Helens volcano since its explosive eruption in 1980. In the early years after the eruption, the roads...View Profile -
Carol Raish
Some of my favorite science experiences are listening to older people talk about the way things were in the past when they were young. I also love to travel to...View Profile -
Max Smith
My favorite science experience is going outside to discover where birds nest, what they eat, and what eats them. In the photo, I am bird-watching with my dog near Seattle,...View Profile
About Investi-gator
The Investi-gator is another member of the Natural Inquirer family. The Natural Inquirer, for middle school students, and the Investi-gator, for upper elementary students, present science the way scientists most often share their research with each other. That process is the written scientific paper. Each Investi-gator article presents research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. All the research in the Investi-gator is concerned with nature or with society’s relationship to nature.
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Meet the Scientist
An introduction to the scientist or scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
A short introduction to something about the scientific process that is related to the research being presented.
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Thinking About the Environment
A short introduction to something about the natural environment that is related to the research being presented.
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Introduction
The part of the written scientific paper that introduces the scientific problem or question the scientists wants to solve or answer.
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Method
The part of the written scientific paper that describes how the scientists collected and analyzed their data or information.
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Findings
The part of the written scientific paper that describes what the scientists discovered.
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Discussion
The part of the written scientific paper that summarizes the research and offers any new insights.
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Reflection Section
These are questions placed after the Introduction, Methods, Findings, and Discussion sections. The purpose of the questions is to help students think about what they have read.
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Glossary
Possible new terms you will find in the article. Glossary words are printed in bold in the article.
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FACTivity
This is an activity that you can do in your classroom.
Lessons
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In this lesson, students learn about mistakes and the importance of acknowledging and correcting those mistakes. This lesson plan is designed to be paired with “The Lands of Time” from...Lesson Plan – Everybody Makes Mistakes
In this lesson, students learn about mistakes and the importance of acknowledging and correcting those mistakes. This lesson plan is designed to be paired with “The Lands of Time” from...