The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive insect first identified in Canada in 2002, has severely affected the ash tree population in the Town of Oakville, Ontario. EAB is one of North America's most destructive forest invaders. It decimates ash trees by feeding on their inner bark, blocking nutrient and water flow, leading to rapid tree decline within one to three years.

While pests and diseases can typically play roles in forest health and biodiversity, climate change worsens the challenges posed by EAB in Oakville. Rising temperatures accelerate the beetle's reproductive cycle, expanding its range and infestation rates. Climate-induced stress weakens tree defenses, making them more susceptible to pests like EAB.

Oakville's urban tree canopy is vital for mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing quality of life. Trees improve air quality and reduce urban heat. Maintaining a diverse and healthy tree canopy beautifies neighbourhoods and supports residents' well-being. Preserving and diversifying tree species in urban areas is crucial for resilience against pests like the Emerald Ash Borer and climate change effects.

In this lesson, you will use ArcGIS Online to explore, assess and analyse tree data related to the EAB issue in Oakville.

Time Required: Approximately 2 hours including tutorials, videos and questions.

Grade Range 7-12

Curriculum Connections

Use geospatial technologies to construct and analyze datasets, including digital maps, graphs, charts and images, as part of their investigations into issues relating to Canadian geography
Ontario - Grade 9 Geography

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Manitoba - Grade 7-10 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; Ontario - Grade 7 Social Studies, Grade 10-12 Geography; Newfoundland and Labrador - Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; New Brunswick – Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; Saskatchewan - Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 10 Social Studies; British Columbia - Grade 12 Urban Studies, Grade 12 Environment Science; Yukon Grade 12 Urban Studies; Quebec- Secondary, Cycle 1 Geography

Contemporary issues in urban studies: environmental factors to climate change
Manitoba - Grade 7-10 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; Ontario - Grade 7 Social Studies, Grade 10-12 Geography; Newfoundland and Labrador - Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; New Brunswick – Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; Saskatchewan - Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 10 Social Studies; British Columbia - British Columbia – Grade 12 Urban Studies; Yukon Grade 12 Urban Studies; Quebec- Secondary, Cycle 1 Geography

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Manitoba - Grade 7-10 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; Ontario - Grade 7-12 Geography; Newfoundland and Labrador - Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; New Brunswick – Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 12 Geography; Saskatchewan - Grade 8 Social Studies, Grade 10 Social Studies; British Columbia - Grade 11 Social Studies, Grade 12 Physical Geography, Grade 12 Human Geography; Quebec- Secondary, Cycle 1 Geography; Yukon - Grade 12 Physical Geography, Grade 12 Human Geography

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