Changes in Habitatsby Denise Carroll
Let’s Save Our Earth!
Habitat
• The place where an animal or plant lives and grows is called its habitat.
• A habitat is where and animal finds the food, water, and shelter it needs to live.
How are animal habitats destroyed?
• Droughts• Floods• Lightning and Forest Fires• Land, Air, or Water Pollution • Storms, Hurricanes, Tornadoes• Trees are cut down to build houses, buildings,
roads, furniture, and paper products.
THINK: What would happen if an animal’s habitat was destroyed?
Many habitats are destroyed by people or by nature.
Habitats are destroyed by . . .
• Droughts are when an area does not get rain for a long time.
• The ponds or streams will dry up.• Most pond plants will die.• Many pond animals die or move to
other ponds.• Some crops will not grow.
Habitats are destroyed by . . .
• Floods are when an area gets a lot of rain for a long time.
• Plants and animals get too much water.
• Many plants die.
• Many animals die or move to drier places.
Habitats are destroyed by . . .
• Sometimes lightening strikes a tree in a forest, causing forest fires.
• Plants and trees are burned and destroyed.• Some animals die, others may be able to move
quickly to safer places.• It takes many years for a forest to grow back.
Pollution• Pollution is waste that harms land, water,
or air.
• Pollution is harmful to people, animals, the environment, and destroys many habitats.
1. Land Pollution2. Air Pollution3. Water Pollution
Habitats are destroyed by . . .
• Land pollution effects the land destroying life, the environment, and its habitats.
• Trash that people do not put in a trash can is called litter.
• Litter kills plants and causes animals to get sick or die.
We need land to grow our food.
Habitats are destroyed by . . .• Air pollution effects the air we
breathe.
• Plants and animals need clean air.
• Factories and cars put harmful smoke and fumes in our air.
• Air pollution causes major damage to our health and the environment.
Forests are nature’s air cleaner. We need forest to help keep the air clean.
Habitats are destroyed by . . .
• Water pollution effects the water and marine life.
• Water pollution destroys water habitats.
• Water pollution has caused animals to become endangered.
• All living things need clean water. • Water is nature’s perfect drink!
Water is a valuable resource that no one could do without.
Habitats are destroyed by . . .
• Storms
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
Habitats are destroyed by . . .
• Pollution• Litter• Construction: new
houses, buildings, and roads
• Clearing forest to make wood and paper products.
• Droughts• Floods• Lightning and Forest
Fires• Storms, Hurricanes,
Tornadoes
People Nature
Think:
What would happen if an animal’s habitat were
destroyed?
Endangered or Extinct?
• The number of people in the world is growing at an alarming rate.
• But this is not true for all animals.• In some cases, there are only a few
of one type of animal left in the wild. These animals are endangered, or at risk of dying out.
• If they die out completely, they become extinct.
Why does this happen?
There are lots of reasons why animals become endangered or
extinct.
The most common are:• loss of habitat (forests cut down, rivers
drying up).• pollution poison the animals.• hunting (for sport, their fur, tusks or meat).
Caring for the Environment
• It is in our own best interests to look after the world we live in.
• If a habitat is lost or damaged, it has an effect on everything.
• Remember - once something becomes extinct, it’s gone forever!
Think: What can you do to help the environment?
• Recycle means to change something so it can be used to make something new.
• Reuse means to use something more than once.
Recycle or Reuse
Ways People Help the Environment
• Plant trees• Recycle or reuse things• Don’t litter• Don’t pollute• Walk or ride a bike• Develop national parks• Learn more about habitats• Making laws to protect habitats• Setting aside land for wildlife
People can take care of their environment and keep it clean.
Congratulations!
• You are on your way to building a safe and healthy environment for us to live.
Resources
• http://images.search.yahoo.com• http://office.microsoft.com/clipart
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