Around 80 percent of the nitrogen in plants living in coastal forests comes from decaying fish. Viewers learn how salmon encourage the growth of forests with a scientific video that highlights interdependence, ecosystems, and the nitrogen cycle.

Concepts

salmon, forest ecosystems, interdependency

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have pupils draw a diagram of the nitrogen cycle discussed in the video
• Extend the lesson by researching how climate change is altering the eating habits of bears and the forest is dying from a lack of nutrients

Classroom Considerations

• Consider those with sensitive stomachs watching the rotting fish and maggots

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Offers closed captioning for the hearing impaired
• Shares videos of rarely seen natural processes

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.8.2 SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4