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The American Pika: A climate indicator species?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t31rFXQSUno

Niwot Ridge Long Term Research Project, Earth Initiatives

This video provides a detailed description of the habitat of the American Pika and how this organism may serve as a climate indicator species because they have a relatively narrow ecological niche and specialized habitat.

This video is 4:20 mins

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»


Grade Level

Regional Focus

Online Readiness

Topics

Climate Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

  • The video can be used to introduce and engage students in impacts of climate change on other more local, species.
  • The method could be used as a template for research on other species and habitats, or as a foundation for a critical thinking exercise on the scientific method, such as: additional fieldwork or analysis, challenges or limitations, hypothesis testing, making correlations with other data, (other research is mentioned in the video), and iteration.
  • There is a focus on microclimate, which isn't often covered at middle school level so teachers at this level may need to help students with background information.

About the Content

  • An overview of key components of the American Pika's habitat is presented along with the hypothesis that survivability of the Pika is decreasing due to climate change. The video discusses field-based empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis.
  • The video introduces what a climate indicator is. Additionally, the author proposes that this rodent-like mammal may serve as a climate indicator species due to their seasonal needs and the relationship of these to snow pack (precipitation) and temperature in the subalpine-to-alpine zone of mountains in western North America.
  • The video presentation provides a good example of the scientific method in ecological studies and fieldwork, including observation, hypothesis formation, and data gathering (e.g. stress indicators) to test the hypothesis.
  • Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

About the Pedagogy

  • Video presents scientists and undergraduate students doing fieldwork in upper elevations in the Colorado Rockies, and documents the study of the impacts of a changing climate on the American Pika, a rodent that requires a specialized habitat.
  • The video depicts an in situ, field-based ecological approach to climate change research.
  • Demonstrates teamwork and can be a learning opportunity for students (ie. no one works alone, scientists work in teams, also features a woman scientist).
  • Pikas are cute, which will engage students.
  • Relating snowpack to water resources is something students can identify with (the video shows this well). This topic might be especially insightful for urban students or students who don't live in mountain environments.
Entered the Collection: November 2021 Last Reviewed: July 2021

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