The Decline of the Aspen

Written by Jack Hassard

On September 26, 2006

An interesting article caught my attention as I was scrolling through the New York Times online. It was entitled Emblem of the West is Dying, No One Can Figure Out Why. The emblem? The Aspen Tree.

Image: A Stand of Aspen Trees

Image: Aspen Leaves

One of the most beautiful trees to observe in nature, the Aspen appears to be mysteriously dying, and biologists are not sure why. Maybe its an insect? Or a drought? Or climatic change inducing stress?

This is a problem that is worth investigating. Students can be introduced to a real problem, and the fact that scientists do not know the cause of the plight of the aspen tree.

Resources:
Scientists Seek Root Cause of Aspen Decline
Aspens Dying Across the West, But Why?

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