Environmental threats

Introduction

Students learn about the special features of the natural landscapes of the Mackenzie Basin, their biodiversity and the threats endangering these landscapes.

The main focus is on human impacts on braided rivers and wetland ecosystems, for example:

  • hydroelectric power schemes
  • farming
  • didymo
  • wilding pines
  • what DOC and other stakeholders are doing to mitigate these impacts.

Level

Year groups: 5-13
Curriculum levels: 3-8

Learning areas

Learning Area*

Discipline

Strand

Biology

A.S. 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2

Education for Sustainability

A.S. 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

History

Understand how people influence places

Geography

Understand how people interact with environments

Understand how spatial patterns are created

A.S.  1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8,  3.5, 3.6

Science

Nature of Science

 Participating and contributing

Living World

 Ecology, Evolution (multiple AO) A.S. 1.11

Planet Earth and Beyond

 Interacting systems – investigating water cycle and its effects

Social Studies

Understand how people interact with environments

Migrant significance, access and use of resources

Different uses of place, records and people of the past

Understand how conflicts can arise and be addressed

*If you have another learning area you wish to explore, we can adapt. 

      Learning objectives

      Students will:

      • appreciate the severity of human impacts on our local landscapes and its native flora and fauna
      • recognise Aoraki/Mount Cook's natural landscape, flora and fauna as special can make social and cultural connections to historic people and events
      • understand the role that DOC and other stakeholders  play in monitoring and acting upon environmental threats.

      Key competencies

      Thinking, participating and contributing

      Details

      Location: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre
      Duration: 2 hours (1 hour presentation and 1 hour independent learning activity)
      Hazard level: Minimal
      Cost: LEOTC fee