Activity 5 - Ancient Forests

Focus
The remnants of ancient Gondwana rainforests are found in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, New Caledonia and Madagascar.

Background
The position of these remnant forests may have common factors such as average rainfall, latitude and topography (high mountains which trap rain-bearing winds).

Pedagogy/teaching strategies
Use the Compare and Contrast Table to explore the similarities and differences of the rainforests of these countries.

Activity sequence
1. Students use an atlas to locate Madagascar, New Caledonia and the Wet Tropics and note the latitude of each location.
2. Students read the Ancient Forests Fact Sheet. Examine the continental drift diagrams and place a red line to indicate the equator and colour the location of the Wet Tropics region green. Note the position of the World Heritage Area and the equator in each of the diagrams. Has the position been a constant or has this area moved considerably from the equator? Students write an inference explaining why the World Heritage Area has enjoyed a stable climate over time.
3. Read the Ancient Flowering Plants Fact Sheet. Use the Compare and Contrast Table to examine these ancient plant refuge areas. Analyse the data by prioritising which of the three locations have the best opportunity of survival. Write reasons.