The Tree Cover and Temperature Disparity in US Urbanized Areas

Provided by: PLOS One |Published on: April 27, 2021

Scientific Reports

9101112AP

Synopsis

This scientific paper presents original research on the connections between tree cover and other variables in various urban locations around the United States.
Students will learn about the significant correlations that exist between tree cover and summer temperatures, population density, income level, and race/ethnicity.

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Civics

Authors: Robert I. McDonald, Tanushree Biswas

Region: North America, United States

Languages: English

Positives

Students will learn about the tree disparity that exists between wealthy white communities and lower-income non-white communities.
The paper includes maps, graphs, and data tables.

Additional Prerequisites

It would be beneficial for students to understand the process of writing a scientific paper and applying the scientific method.
Background experience reading scientific papers would be helpful.

Differentiation

Cross-curricular connections could be made with social studies, biology, history, geography, math, and economics.
Statistics classes could read the statistical analysis section of the paper to see how statistics can be used in scientific papers.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

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Resource Type and Format