Bosque Search Bingo
Description: Take a walk in the bosque using Bosque
Search Bingo cards to help focus a discovery walk.
Objective: Students will discover and observe components of the
bosque.
Background: Here are some interesting facts you can share with your students about the things they may find.
Chewed leaves are mostly chewed by insects or other arthropods. The major group of animals that eat leaves in the bosque are pillbugs and woodlice. These arthropods were introduced into this ecosystem from Europe!
Cottonwood cotton is the seed of the cottonwood tree. The fine cotton-like fibers surrounding the tiny seed allow the wind and water to transport the seed. Cottonwood trees are either male or female. "Cottonless" cottonwood trees are male trees. Only female trees produce seeds; the developing female catkins are locally called tetones and resemble peas until they open. Cottonwood seed or cotton "fly" in late May or June, but old cotton can be found year-round under logs or in crevices.
Rolled leaves are rolled by a caterpillar for its home. The caterpillar eventually becomes a small moth. These are commonly found in the Albuquerque area. They are less common further south.
Star Twigs Have students pick up a cottonwood twig from the ground. Find a terminal bud scale scar (See "Winter Bud Activity" for an illustration). It looks like a ring or collar that circles the twig. Snap the twig in two at this point. Look at the star shape formed by the pith of the twig, the cells in the center of the stem.
Assessment: Participation in the activity with the group.
Extension: Use one page of the Bosque Discovery Booklet for students
to examine and discover in more detail the components of the bosque.
Students may draw and write observations about one of the bosque bingo
components
