The Rocky Mountain Locust

By Charles R. Bomar

Abstract

This case explores conservation and social issues associated with the destruction of vast tracts of farmland in the Great Plains in the late 1800s caused by massive swarms of the Rocky Mountain Locust, Melanoplus spretus. The case was developed for a freshman non-majors environmental science course. Components of it could also be used in an ecology, general biology, public policy, history, or political science course.

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Date Posted

08/28/2003

Overview

Objectives

Consider the historical impact of human activity on the American Great Plains and the Rocky Mountain Locust by early settlers.
Grapple with questions and issues related to the extinction of a species, including issues related to biodiversity, habitat and species restoration, and conservation.

Keywords

Extinction; Rocky Mountain Locust; Melanoplus spretus; locust swarm; locust plague; American West; Great Plains; prairie

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Ecology

Environmental Engineering

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Social issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Analysis (Issues)

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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