Kelp: The Invisible Forest Lesson Plan PDF

Giant Kelp by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Kelp: The Invisible Forest Why it’s important, why it’s endangered and what we can do Introduction Kelp: The Invisible Forest Lesson Plan Things y...

Giant Kelp by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Kelp: The Invisible Forest Why it’s important, why it’s endangered and what we can do Introduction Kelp: The Invisible Forest Lesson Plan Things you’ll need to complete this lesson. Join us as we learn about kelp, the invisible forest. This lesson plan is designed to support you as you explore Google Arts & Culture stories related to the lesson topic. This lesson is suitable for anyone but is Tablet, laptop or computer with access to the internet. recommended for students aged 10-14 years You can complete the lesson on your own working at home, with a group of friends, Paper, or a notebook, and pen to or in your classroom. They are designed so that you can work through them at a make notes as you go. pace that suits you. If you get stuck, you can talk to a teacher or parent. Drawing materials, such as coloring pens and pencils, paper etc. Throughout the lesson you will find tasks to complete and questions to answer, so when you reach the end, you will have used a range of skills to create something on Scissors, glue, scrap paper and your own that demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of the subject. general stationery items. All you need to get started is any device with internet access. You don’t need to print this lesson plan, as there are links to different resources. Art materials, specifically paints and brushes. Are you ready to discover the underwater forest and the life it sustains? A printer would be beneficial but not No snorkel required! necessary – why not draw instead? 2  Explore & Discover An Introduction to Kelp What can you expect to learn? Look out for the following tips which tell you In the following lesson, you will discover: what to do when during the lesson. 1. The Great Southern Reef off the coast of Australia and Tasmania 2. How Kelp Forests are endangered globally Key information to remember and to 3. What is being done to save the forests and what we can do help guide you through the lesson. Activities to complete Estimated time to complete a 1. Create a food web for the kelp ecosystem section or activity within the lesson. 2. Write an article for the local newspaper 3. Design a poster to help save the kelp forests Optional headphones to listen to videos and audio recordings. Outcomes you will achieve Explore online content. Discover videos, Understand the importance of kelp stories, and zoom into pictures. The variety of life in the kelp forest An awareness of how humankind is impacting on natural systems Activity - time to design, make or write something of your own. What we can learn from first nations about living in harmony with our environment What can be done to preserve this precious ecosystem 3  Vocabulary Words to look out for in the lesson Aboriginal Holdfasts Algae Hydration Campaign Indigenous Carbon dioxide Kelp Carnivore Leach Consumer Marine biologist Depletion Mitigate Dwindling Primary producer Ecosystem Photosynthesis Endemic Pollutants First Nations Reforest Food chain Restoration Food web Sea Country Fossil fuels Seagrass Genomics Seaweed Harmony Species Herbivore Blue carbon, kelp forests underwater, by NunoNational Vasco Rodrigues 4 Princess Playing Polo (Jodhpur) Unknown, Museum -/New Climate Visuals Countdown, United Nations Delhi Climate Change Conference, COP26  Golden Kelp by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation An Introduction to Kelp Introduction While many people think of seaweed as a plant, it is in fact an algae. Like plants, algae get their energy from the sun, through photosynthesis. This means that it is a primary producer: it converts light energy into organic matter. Unlike plants, seaweed doesn’t have roots. Instead it has what are called strong holdfasts used to grip to shallow rocky surfaces. The three main groups of seaweed are brown, red and green algae. Kelp is described as a brown but it is closer to a golden hue. Why are we looking at kelp? Why is it important? It is one of the largest ocean ecosystems but it is often misunderstood and it is in danger from climate change. Read the story on the right to learn more about this beautiful and essential ecosystem. If you make notes on the stories you read, this will help you for the end of lesson quiz. Discover 5  Kelp Forest Glass Fish by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation What Is This Lesson About? This lesson is about the kelp forest, an important ecosystem. Kelp forests are being depleted. Learn what kelp is, why the kelp forests are disappearing, what we should learn from the First Nations and what we can do to stem the tide of oceanic deforestation. This lesson will take around 180 minutes. Each chapter will take approximately 1 hour including the activity. 6  Golden Kelp Forest by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Chapter 1: The Great Southern Reef Explore the invisible forest off the coast of Australia. Understand the different types of seaweed and discover the species that live in this vital ecosystem. This chapter will take around 60 minutes. 7  The Great Southern Reef Discover the underwater world off the coast of Australia Discover the Great Species of the Great Seaweed: More Southern Reef Southern Reef than a weed Flathead at Shelly Beach, NSW. Photo: Gergo Leafy Seadragon by Stefan Andrews, Great Giant Kelp, by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Chiquinha Rugli, GreatGonzaga, Southern 1877, Reef Acervo Reef Foundation Shoen Uemura, Portrait Chiquinha of myself, Gonzaga 16 Foundation IMS/Sbat Southern Reef Foundation 8 years old, 1891, Shohaku Art Museum  Flathead at Shelly Beach, NSW. Photo: Gergo Rugli, Great Southern Reef Foundation Discover The Great Southern Reef The Great Southern Reef is the largest continuous kelp forest in the world. Click on the 'Watch’ button to see a video about the Great Southern Reef kelp forest. Learn why it’s important. [Run time 3 mins] Watch 9 Leafy Seadragon by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Species of the Great Southern Reef Home to a wide range of animals, this giant kelp forest, is home to 10,000 species that we know of. Click on 'Explore' to learn about the different species and make notes, it will help with the activity at the end of this chapter. Explore 10  Giant Kelp, by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Seaweed: More than a ‘weed’ Click on the link below to discover the different types of seaweed, including kelp and why it’s different from seagrass. Make a note of three new facts you learn from the story. Compare them with your classmates. Discover 11  Activity 1 Chain of Food As you’ve seen, kelp is a primary producer and the foundation for this oceanic ecosystem. Animals that feed on kelp are called primary consumers and animals feed on primary consumers are called secondary consumers, and so on. Feeding relationships between organisms can be shown in flowcharts called food chains, like this: Diagrams showing interacting food chains are called food webs like the one on the right. Do some research on the different species of the Great Southern Reef to create a food web. There are three main steps to this task: 1. Research 2. Draft version 3. Final version Food webs may be created on paper or digitally. You can draw, use found images, and / or words to indicate the species that are part of the food web. Make it as colorful and complex as you want. Can you include humans in your Great Southern Example of a simple aquatic food web. Reef food web? 12 30 to 40-minute activity  [Space for half page picture - horizontal] A Kelp Forest, Norway by Erling Svensen, World Wildlife Fund Chapter 2: Climate Change The kelp forest sustains a wide variety of life but these ecosystems are under threat from climate change. Find out what the issues are and how it affects all life forms. This chapter will take around 60 minutes. 13  Kelp Sydney by Louise Nott A restoration trial site by Jane Ruckert, Institute Abalone at Shouten Island, Tasmania, by Great Southern Reef Foundation for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Scott Ling, Great Southern Reef Foundation Tasmania Climate Change and Kelp Forest Ecology Scientists Unravelling Kelp Forests Secrets Understand what is happening to Marine biologists are Scientists explore the different kelp because of climate change. investigating the loss of kelp life forms that live on the Great Rising temperatures are forests and how this endangered Southern Reef. The beauty and adversely affecting many marine community can be diversity of the underwater world ecosystems including the kelp rebuilt. is revealed. forests. 14 Kelp Sydney by Louise Nott, Great Southern Reef Foundation Climate Change and Kelp Forests How climate change affects ocean ecosystems Between 1880 and 1980, the global temperature rose by 0.7℃ or 1.3℉ Since 1981, the rate of increase more than doubled. Over the last 40 years, the global annual temperature has risen by 0.72℃, or 1.2℉. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but the the rate that the temperature is increasing is getting faster, putting stress on our environment. Why is the planet getting hotter? Carbon dioxide and other pollutants are collecting in the Earth’s atmosphere, preventing heat from the sun to escape, making the planet hotter. Burning fossil fuels is a key factor of climate change. Click on 'Video’ link to learn how climate change impacts oceanic ecosystems. [Run time 3.38 mins] Jot down some key things you think people need to know about global warming in relation to kelp forests. This will help with the activity at the end of this chapter. Video 15  A restoration trial site by Jane Ruckert, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania ACCOLADE® elm, The Morton Arboretum, 2009, The Morton Arboretum Kelp Forest Ecology Understanding the issues Discovering that 95% of the kelp forest around Tasmania has disappeared, scientists are working hard to find out what is causing this deforestation and what they can do to mitigate the problem. Read more about how scientists are using kelp biology to rewild the kelp forests of Tasmania Marine biologists are studying the different species of kelp to understand why 5% of the Tasmanian kelp forest still exists and how this knowledge can be used to reforest this underwater ecosystem. Protecting dwindling kelp populations is the priority, but it’s also essential to begin to restore areas before entire forests are lost. Click on 'Watch’ link to discover how scientists are researching kelp forest depletion and potential solutions for restoration. Make notes about any key information you think is important or interesting. This will help with the activity at the end of this chapter. [Run time 3.46 mins] Watch 16 Abalone at Shouten Island, Tasmania, by Scott Ling Great Southern Reef Foundation Scientists Unravelling Secrets Safeguarding marine biodiversity The phrase “Out of sight, out of mind” certainly applies to the kelp forests but doesn’t mean they aren’t very important. There is a variety of marine life that is dependent on the kelp forest. Marine biologists specialise in different aspects so that we can better understand each species and any problems that affect them. By increasing our knowledge we are better able to protect and preserve the different animals and plants that make up the ecosystems which we all rely on. Sharing that knowledge with others means that we are all able to help protect and preserve our natural world. Click on 'Explore' to learn about the different scientists and their work on the Great Southern Reef. You might want to make some notes about anything that grabs your attention. It will come in handy when you do the activity on the next page. Explore 17  Activity 2 Climate Change Reporter You may need help from your You are the Climate Change Reporter for your local newspaper. You are writing a parents or teacher with this activity series of articles about climate change and this week your article is about the kelp forest ecosystems. You need to provide the facts in an interesting and clear style, so that all your readers can understand the what, why, where and how of kelp forests. Do some research on kelp forests and the climate change issues that affect them. You can reread the stories in this chapter. These links are also a good starting point: NASA, Natural History Museum London, The Invisible Forest Think about key facts your readers need to know, to understand the the importance of kelp forests and the problems they face. How can you explain what scientists are doing to preserve or reforest these kelp ecosystems? Write a 200 word article covering the key points your readers need to know. Kelp Forest Glass Fish by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Think of a good headline for the article to grab the reader's attention. You might want to illustrate your article with your own drawing or an image you find online (but make sure you have permission to use it!). 18 20 to 30-minute activity  Golden kelp wash up on beach by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Chapter 3: Custodians of Kelp Learn from the First Nations and climate change experts to understand how to become custodians of the kelp forests. Inspired by what we learn, what can we do to make a positive difference to the planet? This chapter will take around 60 minutes. 19 Custodians of Kelp Saltwater Country Sea Country Help Kelp Hula skirt siphonophore, Bumblebee on dahlia 'Moonfire' (Asteraceae) Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla), Shoen Uemura,Steve Haddock, Portrait Monterey of myself, 16 Bay flower, 2016, Historic Royal Palaces Chiquinha Gonzaga, 1877, Acervo 2015, Regional Government of 20 years old, 1891, Aquarium Shohaku ArtResearch Museum Institute Chiquinha Gonzaga IMS/Sbat Galicia  Emma Robertson by Rosie Hastie, Great Southern Reef Foundation Tune in to Saltwater Country Listen to Emma Robertson, a palawa woman and artist, as she explains the importance of kelp to Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Click on 'Listen’ to learn about Saltwater Country Listen 21  Maria Island, Tasmania by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Caring for Kelp The First Nations people of Tasmania have always lived in harmony with the land and the sea. Watch the video about Sea Country and learn about the Tasmanian Aboriginal connection to kelp forests [Run time 15 mins] Watch 22 Sugar kelp, Saccharina latissima, growing at a Scottish seaweed farm, Aird Fada by Leigh Eisler, Natural History Museum Why Help Kelp? Discover the importance of kelp and ways you can make a difference. Click on the link below to read the story. Jot down any interesting ideas you come across, they’ll come in handy for the final activity. Read 23  Activity 3 Poster Design to #helpthekelp You may need help from your parents or teacher with this activity As human actions are causing an alarming decline kelp forests around the world, you are going to design a poster to persuade people to #helpthekelp Do some research. You can revisit the stories from this chapter to refresh your memory. This video might help Reviving Giants and this page has lots of great images to inspire you. Create a slogan and an eye catching design for your poster. Think about: What do you think is the key thing we can do to save kelp forests? This may depend on where you live - e.g. if you live in an inland city your options may vary to those who live near the ocean. Why should people care? What is the benefit of protecting kelp forests? Who is your target audience? Adults? Children? Politicians? Someone else? You can work with a friend or by yourself on this poster design, but remember to make it clear what you want people to DO! Poster Wall, Torres Strait 8, 23rd Biennale of Sydney (2022): rīvus 24 20 to 30-minute activity  Quiz End of Lesson Quiz See if you can recall what you have learned from this lesson. How many questions can you answer without going back through the pages. 1. What is kelp? 2. Kelp is a primary producer. What does this mean? 3. Where are humans on the food chain? 4. What is causing kelp forests to decline? 5. How much has the global annual temperature has risen by in the last 40 years? 6. What percentage of the kelp forest around Tasmania has been lost? 7. Name three species that live in or near a kelp forest. 8. What was kelp used for in medieval Europe? 9. Why is Sea Country seen as women’s Country by the Tasmanian Aboriginal people? 10. Why was kelp seen as medicinal by the Tasmanian Aboriginal people? arcade game: Computer Quiz Nutting Associates, 1968, The Strong National Museum of Play 15 to 20-minute activity You will find the answer to this activity on page 27 - no cheating! 25  Sweep by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Want to Learn More? Now you’ve completed this lesson you may want to continue to find out more about other ocean ecosystems such as Coral Reefs. If you want to learn more about Kelp Forests, click here. To find out more about climate change and how humans are connected to the environment, click here. 26 Quiz Answers End of Lesson Quiz Seahorse by Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Here are the answers to the quiz. How did you do? 1. Kelp is an algae and part of the seaweed family 2. Kelp uses photosynthesis to turn energy (sunlight) into organic matter 3. Humans are both primary and secondary consumers 4. Climate change and the resulting global warming caused by human actions 5. 0.72℃ or 1.2℉ 6. 95% 7. There are many species, but you might have thought of: ○ Cuttlefish ○ Sea Dragons ○ Sea Horses ○ Anemones ○ Urchins ○ Rockfish ○ Sea Otters ○ Sea Lions ○ Humans 8. Fertilizer, to help grow crops on land 9. Palawa women were skilled swimmers and divers and could hold their breath for a long time. 10. Water vessels were made of kelp and the nutrients and vitamins leached into the water making the water a source of nourishment and health as well as hydration. 27