Effects of Bush Burning: A Deeper Look at Environmental Consequences

Basic Science Lesson Plan: Effects of Bush Burning

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5 (2nd Period)
Topic: Effects of Bush Burning
Sub-topic: Environmental and Biological Effects of Bush Burning
Duration: 40 minutes
Age: 13-14 years

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify at least three negative effects of bush burning on the environment.
2. Explain how bush burning leads to soil degradation and erosion.
3. Discuss the impact of bush burning on wildlife and biodiversity.
4. Suggest sustainable alternatives to bush burning.

Keywords:

• Bush burning
• Erosion
• Wildlife destruction
• Soil degradation
• Air pollution
• Soil organisms

Set Induction:

Ask students to share their experiences or observations of bush burning in their communities. Discuss any changes they noticed in the environment after the burning, leading into the topic of today’s lesson.

Entry Behavior:

Students are familiar with the concept of bush burning and its uses from previous lessons.

Learning Resources:

• Pictures of burnt land
• Diagram showing soil erosion
• Video showing the effects of air pollution

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Remind students of the earlier lesson on bush burning, focusing on its causes. Connect this to the current lesson, which will address the effects of bush burning on the environment and living organisms.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Environmental awareness
• Problem-solving
• Conservation skills

Instructional Materials:

• Charts showing the effects of erosion
• Visual aids of wildlife affected by bush burning
• Samples of soil with and without vegetation cover

Content:

Effects of Bush Burning:

1. Destruction of Soil Vegetation:
   Bush burning removes the vegetative cover, exposing the soil to the sun and causing erosion.
2. Soil Degradation:
   Burning destroys beneficial soil organisms that improve soil structure, leading to poor soil fertility.
3. Destruction of Wildlife:
   Bush burning leads to the loss of animal habitats and the death of many wildlife species, some of which may become extinct.
4. Air Pollution:
   The smoke from bush burning pollutes the air, contributing to respiratory issues and global warming.
5. Loss of Soil Nutrients:
   Although bush burning releases nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, the long-term effect is the depletion of soil fertility.
6. Encouragement of Fresh Growth for Livestock:
   Burning can stimulate the growth of new green grasses, which can be used for grazing livestock.
7. Cheap Land Clearing Method:
   Despite its harmful effects, bush burning is seen as a quick and inexpensive way to clear land for farming or construction.

10 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options:

1. Bush burning removes the protective cover of the soil, causing ______.
   a) Erosion
   b) Flooding
   c) Dryness
   d) Air pollution
   Answer: a) Erosion
2. One of the effects of bush burning is the destruction of ______.
   a) Rivers
   b) Wildlife
   c) Clouds
   d) Buildings
   Answer: b) Wildlife
3. Bush burning exposes the soil to ______, which weakens its structure.
   a) Rain
   b) Heat
   c) Wind
   d) Floods
   Answer: b) Heat
4. ______ pollution is a direct result of bush burning.
   a) Air
   b) Water
   c) Land
   d) Noise
   Answer: a) Air
5. One of the benefits of bush burning is the quick release of ______ from the burnt plants.
   a) Water
   b) Nutrients
   c) Salt
   d) Rocks
   Answer: b) Nutrients
6. Bush burning can cause ______ to go extinct.
   a) Cars
   b) Plants
   c) Animals
   d) Birds
   Answer: c) Animals
7. One nutrient released during bush burning is ______.
   a) Phosphorus
   b) Iron
   c) Silver
   d) Water
   Answer: a) Phosphorus
8. One of the consequences of bush burning is the ______ of the land.
   a) Degradation
   b) Growth
   c) Fertilization
   d) Moisture
   Answer: a) Degradation
9. Bush burning is seen as a ______ way to clear land.
   a) Cheap
   b) Expensive
   c) Slow
   d) Healthy
   Answer: a) Cheap
10. Fresh grass growth after bush burning can benefit ______.
    a) Fish
    b) Livestock
    c) Cars
    d) Birds
    Answer: b) Livestock

10 FAQs with Answers:

1. What is the primary effect of bush burning on the soil?
   Bush burning destroys the soil’s protective vegetation, making it vulnerable to erosion.
2. How does bush burning affect air quality?
   The smoke from bush burning contributes to air pollution, which can cause respiratory problems.
3. What happens to wildlife during bush burning?
   Many animals lose their habitats, and some may die or become extinct due to bush burning.
4. Is there any benefit to bush burning for farming?
   In the short term, bush burning can clear land quickly and release nutrients for plant growth, but it depletes soil fertility over time.
5. What are some of the long-term negative effects of bush burning?
   Bush burning leads to soil degradation, erosion, loss of biodiversity, and air pollution.
6. How does bush burning contribute to global warming?
   The smoke from bush burning releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming.
7. Can bush burning improve soil fertility?
   Initially, it releases some nutrients, but in the long term, it depletes the soil of essential organisms and nutrients.
8. Why do some people prefer bush burning as a land-clearing method?
   It is seen as a quick, cheap, and easy way to clear land for farming or construction.
9. What alternatives to bush burning can farmers use?
   Farmers can use mechanical methods or controlled grazing to clear land more sustainably.
10. Why should bush burning be discouraged?
    It causes significant environmental damage, including soil degradation, wildlife destruction, and air pollution.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Introduce the topic and explain the key effects of bush burning.
• Use charts and pictures to illustrate how bush burning destroys soil, plants, and animals.
• Guide students through discussions on the environmental and economic impact of bush burning.
• Ask probing questions to encourage critical thinking.

Learners’ Activities:

• Participate in discussions and share ideas on the effects of bush burning.
• Answer questions posed by the teacher about the environmental impact.
• Work in groups to identify and list alternative methods of land clearing.

Assessment:

1. Describe two negative effects of bush burning on soil.
2. What impact does bush burning have on wildlife?
3. How does bush burning contribute to air pollution?
4. Suggest one alternative method of land clearing that does not involve burning.
5. Explain why bush burning is considered harmful to the environment.

Conclusion:

Conclude the lesson by highlighting the importance of finding alternative methods to bush burning. Emphasize that while it may seem like a quick solution, the long-term environmental damage far outweighs the short-term benefits.

More Useful Links

• Understanding Bush Burning: Causes, Effects, and Prevention Basic Science JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5