WildlifeMapping

In an effort to provide comprehensive demographics for virtually every point on a "clickable" map of the U.S., the USGS is compiling a massive database for a variety of categories. Determining the flora and fauna for a given area is in itself a daunting task. WildlifeMapping is a project developed in response to this search for information by providing data about wildlife in Virginia. This data is collected by students and sent directly to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The WildlifeMapping Program helps identify areas that have a great diversity of wildlife and helps pinpoint special habitats that need protecting.

Working in cooperative learning teams, students learn mapping and species identification skills in order to record wildlife observations accurately using hand-held Global Positioning System receivers. They perform ground truthing exercises, study population dynamics and practice sampling techniques. Finally, they learn how to communicate their findings through tables, charts and graphs.

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