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Volcano Above the Clouds
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Classroom Activity
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Objective
To develop a travelogue to describe the distinct ecological regions
of Mount Kilimanjaro.
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copy of the "Climbing Kilimanjaro" student handout (PDF
or
HTML)
- access to print and Internet resources for research
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Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, Africa, is home to distinct
ecological regions, including rain and cloud forest, heath and
moorland, alpine desert, and glacier environments. In this
activity, students create a travelogue that describes the
geological, climatic, and biological features of the different
regions.
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Organize students into groups and distribute the "Climbing
Kilimanjaro" student handout. Tell students that they are part
of a larger team that is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Their
group's role is that of team recorder, and they should create a
travelogue that describes the ecology and climate of the
different regions of the mountain. In addition, the travelogue
should describe the health issues that may affect climbers, and
any necessary equipment or safety precautions that the team may
need at each stage of the climb.
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As they watch, have students take notes about the different
regions of Kilimanjaro listed on their student handout. Assign
each group, or each student in a group, to take notes about a
certain section of the climb.
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After watching, students should use print and Internet resources
to complete their research and create their travelogues.
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Conclude by having teams present their travelogues. Encourage a
class discussion about what makes each region unique and what
characteristics might be necessary for animals and plants to
survive in the different environments.
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As an extension, ask students to add a section to their
travelogue that discusses why scientists are interested in Mount
Kilimanjaro. They can draw their answers from the program and
from the article "Mount Kilimanjaro: One Mountain, Five
Climates" found at forests.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=9833
Students' descriptions of each region may include the following
features and characteristics:
Rain and Cloud Forest (6,000 feet to 9,000 feet)
Rain forests are very dense, warm, wet forests. The temperature
generally ranges between 70°F and 80°F throughout the year,
and the forest area may have between 40 inches to 80 inches of rain
per year. At about 8,000 feet, a layer of cloud often forms, which
blankets the forest throughout most of the day. These clouds are an
important source of water for the areas below the mountain. A thin
layer of poor soil covers a thick layer of clay on the forest floor.
There are a number of different tree species in the forest, and many
grow between 130 and 165 feet tall. The branches of the trees
interlock to form a canopy above the forest. Mosses, lichens, ferns,
and orchids are other common plants. The forest supports a variety
of wildlife including colobus and blue monkeys, bushbuck, duikers,
lions, leopards, and bush pigs.
Heath and Moorland (9,000 feet to 13,000 feet)
Above the forest line, porous soils and lower rainfall result in
much sparser vegetation. The lower altitudes of this region are
characterized by a wide, rolling meadow with giant heath plants and
many small wild flowers. Heavy mists often cover the area. These
areas may get about 30 or 40 inches of rain a year. At higher
altitudes, the region is much drier, getting only about 20 inches of
rain per year. There is also a greater fluctuation in temperature,
with high temperatures during the day, and freezing temperatures at
night. This region has several distinct plants, including dwarf
camphor trees and giant lobelia and senecio (groundsel). The lobelia
grow up to 10 feet high, have hollow stems, and tall flower-like
spikes. In order to protect the sensitive leaf buds from the
nighttime temperatures, the lobelia close their leaves around the
central core, while secreting a slimy antifreeze-like solution. The
giant groundsel can reach 16 feet high with a crown of large leaves
and a 3-foot long spike of yellow flowers. The groundsel uses its
old dead leaves as insulation around its trunk. There is not much
wildlife in this region because of the altitude, although wild dog,
eland, and lion have been found.
Alpine Desert (13,000 feet to 16,500 feet)
This is a harsh, dry, windy region, consisting mostly of bare rock
and ice. The temperature of the area ranges from below freezing at
night to 85°F during the day. The air is very thin, and
radiation from the sun is intense. It rains less than 10 inches per
year, so there are very few plants, mostly lichens and small mosses.
Only a few birds, such as raven and other large birds of prey, can
survive in this region, along with several small rodents. At certain
times of the year, snow covers the area.
Summit (16,500 feet and up)
The summit is an arctic zone characterized by freezing cold nights
and burning sun during the day. This region receives less than 4
inches of precipitation per year, usually in the form of snow. The
oxygen level in the air is half that of sea level. Barren volcanic
debris and volcanic craters cover the ground. There is no animal
life in this region, and only a few stunted lichens. Just below the
summit are glacier cliffs with carved walls. However, the glaciers
are disappearing at such a rapid rate that there is concern that the
ice cover may disappear completely within the next 20 years.
Equipment and Safety Issues
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro involves preparing for conditions ranging
from tropical to arctic with extremely high winds and subfreezing
temperatures. Important equipment includes food and water, multiple
insulating layers of clothes, sturdy rain gear, alpine sunglasses,
sun block, aspirin, sturdy hiking boots, and camping equipment. In
addition, altitude sickness can occur at high altitudes, due to the
inability of the human body to adjust to a rapid gain in altitude.
Symptoms of altitude sickness include loss of appetite, headache,
nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, weakness, a rapid pulse even at rest,
insomnia, swelling of hands and face, and reduced urine output.
Climbers with severe symptoms must stop ascending and consider
descending to a lower altitude. A slow pace, drinking lots of
fluids, and certain medications can prevent or reduce the severity
of altitude sickness.
Web Sites
NOVA's Web Site—Volcano Above the Clouds
www.pbs.org/nova/kilimanjaro/
In this companion Web site for the NOVA program, find out how
Earth's glaciers are holding up, see a map of the planet's
ecological zones, learn about each of the tallest summits on the
seven continents, and discover why mountains make their own weather.
Crown of Africa: Unlocking the Secrets of Kilimanjaro
www.altrec.com/features/crownofafrica/
Includes information on the mountain's climates, geology, and
routes, as well as equipment and safety precautions.
Kilimanjaro and Other Mountain Areas
www.kilimanjaro.cc
Gives detailed descriptions of the climbing routes up Kilimanjaro,
as well as additional information on the mountain's geology,
glaciers, plant life, animal life, and weather.
Kilimanjaro National Park General Information
www.habari.co.tz/tanapa/kilpakg.html
Provides general information about such things as the history,
climbing routes, and climate of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Passport to the Rainforest
www.passporttoknowledge.com/rainforest/main.html
Includes sample travelogues from high school students who visited
the Amazon and Costa Rica.
Books
Salkeld, Audrey.
Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa.
Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2002.
Follows the weeklong journey of five trekkers and a guide to the top
of Kilimanjaro. Includes extensive photographs, descriptions of the
mountain's geological origins, flora and fauna, and history.
The "Climbing Kilimanjaro" activity aligns with the following
National Science Education Standards.
Grades 5-8
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Science Standard C:
Life Science
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Populations and ecosystems:
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A population consists of all individuals of a species that occur
together at a given place and time. All populations living
together and the physical factors with which they interact
compose an ecosystem.
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The number of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the
resources available and abiotic factors, such as quantity of
light and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition.
Grades 9-12
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Science Standard C:
Life Science
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The interdependence of organisms:
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Organisms both cooperate and compete in ecosystems. The
interrelationships and interdependencies of these organisms may
generate ecosystems that are stable for hundreds or thousands of
years.
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Living organisms have the capacity to produce populations of
infinite size but environments and resources are finite. This
fundamental tension has profound effects on the interactions
between organisms.
Classroom Activity Author
Margy Kuntz has written and edited educational materials for 20
years. She has authored numerous educational supplements, basal text
materials, and trade books in science, math, and computers.
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