Plants

Each living member in a community interacts with other living organisms and abiotic elements such as soil, weather, and water. All of these interactions together make the community function as a single interacting unit called an ecosystem. Plants are the foundation of this living food pyramid. Without plants, no animal could survive.

Materials
• Plant Handbook - A general plant identification booklet for teachers. Covers the most commonly-seen plants from the dunefield, grassland, and pinyon-juniper woodland habitats, plus selected trees from higher elevations.
  

Lesson Plans
• Latin Roots - Students will learn how scientists name new species of plants while creating a new one of their own.
• Tree Classification - Students will learn the basics of tree identification at Great Sand Dunes and how to use a dichotomous key.
• Plant Adaptations - Students will understand the concepts of habitat and plant adaptations to desert environments.
• Oh, So Special - Students will become acquainted with the habits and characteristics of a few special plants and animals before visiting the park.
• Native Dyes - Students will become familiar with natural dyes, which plants they came from, and how Native Americans have used them.
• Inspector Flora - Students will observe wildflowers while learning to identify the main parts of a flower.
• Seed Travelers - Students will be able to explain various methods of seed dispersal and how animals and natural processes play a role in helping plants reproduce.
• Land of Many Opportunists - Students will learn how aggressive exotic species take advantage of resources in order to expand their range and compete in a nonnative habitat.