Weather Worries- New Jersey

Part I. The Case of the Harp Seal Strandings

Observe and Analyze- What is the trend in seal strandings in New Jersey?

image source:  Marine Mammal Stranding Center , Briganitine, NJ

Investigation Question:   Why are harp seal strandings increasing in New Jersey?

Collect Background Information

Begin your investigation by finding the answers to these questions.

• Where do harp seals live?
• How do they use ice floes?  (Definition:  Ice floe, a large mass of ice floating at sea).

  Find the answers at  OBIS- SEAMAP.

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• What's happening to Arctic ice floes?
  • Graph of Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Area
  • Images of Sea Ice
  • Discussion of Sea Ice

Evaluate Your Findings

Could what's happening with Arctic ice floes cause the increased harp seal strandings in New Jersey?  Support your answer with evidence.

Check out what the experts think.

After watching the video, describe how climate change might be causing the following observed changes.

• New Jersey's black bears are acrive for more weeks of the year.
• Decreaes in the population of migratory species such as Monarch butterlies, horseshoe crabs, and red knots have been observed in New Jersey. 
• Cedar trees in southern New Jersey are dying.

Bring It Home

Draw a map showing the location of the examples cited in the video  Which of the examples affect your community?

Extend Your Investigation

Choose one of the species (other than harp seals) from the video.  Research the species and, using this page as a model, design your own case.  Present your case as a web page, Power Point presentation, or clues written on index cards.

Related Videos

“Red Knots Population”
NJN News
May 25, 2006

Information for Teachers - Lesson Planning

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