How Climate Change Affects Transpiration in Plants

In this multi-day transpiration and climate change laboratory investigation, students will use the traditional AP biology whole plant method or potometer transpiration lab as a launching point to investigate how climate change affects transpiration in plants. They will work in a team of four to use their content knowledge on osmosis and transpiration as well as background research and reading of scientific papers to design an experiment that tests the effects of one particular effect of climate change (i.e. change in humidity, change in wind patterns, change in water conditions, etc.) on transpiration in plants. After getting approval of their experimental design and methods, the students will gather their materials and test their hypothesis. Time will be allowed so that students can change their experiment if they don’t get the expected results. After 2-3 days of experimentation, students will display their results graphical and then individually write a 2-4 page conclusion essay. In this essay, they will use their evidence, outside evidence from scholarly journals, and scientific reasoning to evaluate their hypotheses, discuss limitations/sources of error, and experimental extensions. They will ultimately end by relating their findings to climate change and designing solutions.