1. Build background about bird species in the Gulf of Mexico.
Download and project for students the Layers of Life diagram that accompanies the map Gulf of Mexico: A Geography of Offshore Oil, from the October 2010 issue of National Geographic magazine. Explain that the Gulf of Mexico is home to many species of plants and animals. Tell students that, while many birds live in and around the Gulf of Mexico year round, hundreds of species and millions of birds visit the Gulf of Mexico annually. Ask: What is it called when animals move from one geographic location to another throughout the year? (animal migration) Then have students use the diagram as a resource to complete the following tasks:
- identify different ecosystems found in the Gulf that are important to birds
- make predictions about what food birds may find there, based on other organisms in the illustration
2. Discuss bird migration.
Have students watch the National Geographic video “Gulf Spill Still Threatens Millions of Migrating Birds.”
Then use the map Gulf of Mexico: A Geography of Offshore Oil to geo-locate: the Gulf; one or two examples of migratory routes by different bird species; and one or two of the marsh/wetland habitats mentioned in the video. Check students’ comprehension. Ask:
- Why are birds that die usually not found?
- Do birds stop to eat or mate while migrating?
- What are some threats to migrating birds?
3. Discuss the impacts of oil on migrating birds.
Revisit the Layers of Life diagram and help students make connections between their observations from Step 1 and the video as you discuss the following questions:
- What are examples of how the oil in the Gulf can impact the birds directly? (oil in feathers, ingesting the oil while feeding, stressed birds)
- What are examples of how oil in the Gulf can impact the birds indirectly? (killing or removing food sources, especially from dispersed oil that sinks to the bottom; destroying bird habitat like marshes and wetlands; web of life effects that impact several different species)
- What does the researcher mean by the “web of life” of the Gulf? How could oil on the bottom of the ocean affect birds and the web of life?
- How long will these impacts from oil be around?
- How could these impacts affect future populations of bird species that live in or migrate through the Gulf?
If time allows, have students use the prompts above to create a visual presentation, such as a poster, illustrating how oil in the Gulf of Mexico impacts the health of local and migrating bird populations.
4. Discuss the steps being taken to protect bird populations.
Ask: How do you think scientists, companies, government, and private groups work to protect bird populations? Explain that after the 2010 Gulf oil spill, scientists and oil cleanup crews tried to keep oil out of estuary environments, which are adversely affected by oil contamination. Tell students that hundreds of birds were cleaned of oil and returned to the wild. Some birds, like brown pelicans, were moved to oil-free states for safety. Tell students that scientists continue to monitor bird populations and help the birds to the best of their ability for years to come. Government and private groups also began long-term projects to rebuild and replant barrier islands, and restore natural flow and sedimentation from rivers.
Informal Assessment
Assess students’ visual presentations based on organization and content.
Extending the Learning
Have each student research a local bird species or a species of bird that migrates through your local geographic region. Have the class map all of the species’ home ranges and migration routes on one classroom map. Ask each student to share with the class one or more interesting facts about the organism that they researched.
Subjects & Disciplines
- Biology
- Earth Science
- Geography
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- identify several species of birds that live in the Gulf of Mexico
- identify food sources and feeding behaviors of birds based on the physical attributes of an organism
- describe bird migrations and the possible impacts of oil on migrating birds
- explain what scientists and volunteers are doing to help migrating birds that are traveling through areas contaminated with oil
Teaching Approach
- Learning-for-use
Teaching Methods
- Discussions
- Multimedia instruction
Skills Summary
This activity targets the following skills:
-
Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzing
- Evaluating
- Understanding
- Geographic Skills
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
National Council for Social Studies Curriculum Standards
- Theme 3: People, Places, and Environments
National Geography Standards
- Standard 14: How human actions modify the physical environment
National Science Education Standards
- (5-8) Standard C-4: Populations and ecosystems
- (5-8) Standard C-5: Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts
- Principle 6e: Humans affect the ocean in a variety of ways. Laws, regulations and resource management affect what is taken out and put into the ocean. Human development and activity leads to pollution (such as point source, non-point source, and noise pollution) and physical modifications (such as changes to beaches, shores and rivers). In addition, humans have removed most of the large vertebrates from the ocean.
What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
- Colored markers
- Magazines with animal photos
- Poster board
- Scissors
- Transparent tape
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Optional
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Projector, Speakers
Physical Space
- Classroom
Grouping
- Large-group instruction
Background Information
Many animal species migrate. Birds travel long distances in search of food, mates, and for warmer climates. Most species of migrating birds need to stop to eat and rest on their journeys. The Gulf of Mexico is a common stopover or final destination for migrating birds. Oil or other forms of contamination are detrimental to the health of organisms that are year-round residents of an ecosystem, as well as animals that migrate through a region.
Prior Knowledge
- None
Recommended Prior Activities
- None
Vocabulary
process where a community of animals leaves a habitat for part of the year or part of their lives, and moves to habitats that are more hospitable.
long, narrow strip of sandy land built up by waves and tides that protects the mainland shore from erosion.
conditions that surround and influence an organism or community.
environment where an organism lives throughout the year or for shorter periods of time.
accidental release of petroleum products into a body of water, either by an oil tanker or an offshore oil rig.
process of accumulating small solid deposits.
group of similar organisms that can reproduce with each other.
Articles & Profiles
Interactives
- National Geographic Magazine: Interactive—Layers of Life
- National Geographic Magazine: Interactive Map—The Geography of Offshore Oil
Websites
Funder
-
Environmental Hazards
The environmental hazards you face depend on where you live. For example, if you live in northern California you are more likely to be impacted by a wildfire, landslide, or earthquake than if you live in Charleston, South Carolina, but less likely to be hit by a hurricane. This is because the physical conditions in each place are different. The active San Andreas fault runs through California and causes regular earthquakes, while the warm waters transported by the Gulf Stream can intensify a storm heading for South Carolina. These environmental hazards shape human activity regionally. Building codes in California require builders to meet standards set to minimize structural damage in an earthquake and coastal cities have building code to reinforce roofs and walls to resist a storm’s high winds. Learn more about environmental hazards with this curated resource collection.
-
Energy Resources
Coal, one of humankind’s earliest fuel sources, is still used today to generate electricity. However, over time, there has been a shift in demand for cheaper and cleaner fuel options, such as the nonrenewable energy source of natural gas, and renewable options like solar power and wind energy. Each energy resource has its advantages and disadvantages. Explore nonrenewable and renewable options with this collection on energy resources.
-
Population Characteristics
Demography is the study of a population, the total number of people or organisms in a given area. Understanding how population characteristics such as size, spatial distribution, age structure, or the birth and death rates change over time can help scientists or governments make decisions. For example, knowing how lion populations have increased or decreased over a period of time can help conservationists understand if their protection efforts are effective while knowing how many seniors or children live in a particular neighborhood can shape the type of activities scheduled at the local recreation center. Select from these resources to teach your students about population characteristics.
-
Organisms: Behavior
Organisms can exhibit a wide range of behaviors; some of which can be quite unique, such as the elaborate courtship behaviors of the birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea or the peacock spider in Australia. Although often overlooked, plants also have unique behaviors. Two examples of their behaviors include geotropism, the growth of plants against the force of gravity and phototropism, the growth of plants toward the light. Learn more about these fascinating behaviors with these resources.
-
Birds, Feathers, and Oil
Students are introduced to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Through a hands-on simulation, students explore how birds are affected by oil and how wildlife rescuers help oiled birds.
-
Gulf Spill Still Threatens Millions of Migrating Birds
<p>August 10, 2010 - Up to a billion migrating birds stop over in the Gulf of Mexico region on their annual treks southward. Despite BP's capping of the <em>Deepwater Horizon</em> leak, scientists say the birds may face ill effects from the Gulf oil spill for years to come.</p>
-
Rescuing, Relocating, and Rehabilitating Wildlife
Students read about oil spills and the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. They geo-locate the Deepwater Horizon spill and use a diagram to investigate the diversity of flora and fauna in the Gulf of Mexico. Then students discuss how oil adversely affects wildlife, watch a video and read an article about wildlife relocation, and discuss the ethics and possible environmental repercussions of animal relocation.
-
Environmental Hazards
The environmental hazards you face depend on where you live. For example, if you live in northern California you are more likely to be impacted by a wildfire, landslide, or earthquake than if you live in Charleston, South Carolina, but less likely to be hit by a hurricane. This is because the physical conditions in each place are different. The active San Andreas fault runs through California and causes regular earthquakes, while the warm waters transported by the Gulf Stream can intensify a storm heading for South Carolina. These environmental hazards shape human activity regionally. Building codes in California require builders to meet standards set to minimize structural damage in an earthquake and coastal cities have building code to reinforce roofs and walls to resist a storm’s high winds. Learn more about environmental hazards with this curated resource collection.
-
Energy Resources
Coal, one of humankind’s earliest fuel sources, is still used today to generate electricity. However, over time, there has been a shift in demand for cheaper and cleaner fuel options, such as the nonrenewable energy source of natural gas, and renewable options like solar power and wind energy. Each energy resource has its advantages and disadvantages. Explore nonrenewable and renewable options with this collection on energy resources.
-
Population Characteristics
Demography is the study of a population, the total number of people or organisms in a given area. Understanding how population characteristics such as size, spatial distribution, age structure, or the birth and death rates change over time can help scientists or governments make decisions. For example, knowing how lion populations have increased or decreased over a period of time can help conservationists understand if their protection efforts are effective while knowing how many seniors or children live in a particular neighborhood can shape the type of activities scheduled at the local recreation center. Select from these resources to teach your students about population characteristics.
-
Organisms: Behavior
Organisms can exhibit a wide range of behaviors; some of which can be quite unique, such as the elaborate courtship behaviors of the birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea or the peacock spider in Australia. Although often overlooked, plants also have unique behaviors. Two examples of their behaviors include geotropism, the growth of plants against the force of gravity and phototropism, the growth of plants toward the light. Learn more about these fascinating behaviors with these resources.
-
Birds, Feathers, and Oil
Students are introduced to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Through a hands-on simulation, students explore how birds are affected by oil and how wildlife rescuers help oiled birds.
-
Gulf Spill Still Threatens Millions of Migrating Birds
<p>August 10, 2010 - Up to a billion migrating birds stop over in the Gulf of Mexico region on their annual treks southward. Despite BP's capping of the <em>Deepwater Horizon</em> leak, scientists say the birds may face ill effects from the Gulf oil spill for years to come.</p>
-
Rescuing, Relocating, and Rehabilitating Wildlife
Students read about oil spills and the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. They geo-locate the Deepwater Horizon spill and use a diagram to investigate the diversity of flora and fauna in the Gulf of Mexico. Then students discuss how oil adversely affects wildlife, watch a video and read an article about wildlife relocation, and discuss the ethics and possible environmental repercussions of animal relocation.