Threats associated with climate change in the rainforest
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain that tropical rainforests are indirectly threatened by climate change.
Key learning points
- Climate change is affecting tropical rainforests.
- How is climate change an indirect threat to tropical rainforests (ecosystem stress, drought).
Keywords
Climate change - a long-term shift in temperature, rainfall and weather patterns which has had natural causes in the past but is now due to human activities
Indirect - effects or consequences that are not immediately caused by an event or action but happen as a result of it
Threat - something that poses a danger or harm to an environment, species or ecosystem
Common misconception
Climate change has not impacted tropical rainforests as temperature and rainfall patterns have remained the same.
Climate change has affected tropical rainforests by increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of droughts. For example, the Amazon rainforest experienced its worst recorded drought in 2023.
Teacher tip
The lesson in this unit called "Using GIS to visualise and analyse deforestation" gives students opportunities to explore and measure deforestation using accessible GIS tools.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where are tropical rainforests mainly found?
Q2.What is the climate like in a tropical rainforest?
Q3.Which of the following is a characteristic of rainforest soil?
Q4.What is the emergent layer of a rainforest?
Q5.Which of the following is a plant adaptation in tropical rainforests?
Q6.How have sloths adapted to rainforest life?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How does climate change impact rainfall patterns in rainforests?
Q2.What is a major consequence of rising temperatures in rainforests?
Q3. change has affected tropical rainforests by increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of droughts.
Q4.Why does deforestation make rainforests more vulnerable to climate change?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Threats associated with climate change in the rainforest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Threats associated with climate change in the rainforest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Tropical rainforest and taiga biomes unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.